Niger: Violence Prevention Program Manager - NIger

Please note that this position is pending funding

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps works in high-risk conflict and post-conflict environments. While we recognize that these are difficult places to operate, we believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – also offer tremendous opportunities for positive change. We currently implement over 30 peacebuilding programs in some of the world's toughest places, including Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan. Our current work builds on an exceptionally strong historical foundation. S Since the late 1990s, Mercy Corps has managed over 100 peacebuilding and conflict management projects in over 30 countries and regions, making Mercy Corps a true leader in the field. We currently implement 34 peacebuilding programs in some of the world's toughest places.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Mercy Corps seeks an experienced Program Manager for an expected opportunity in conflict and peacebuilding work. Mercy Corps has been operational in Niger since September 2005. The goal of Mercy Corps in Niger is to support vulnerable, at risk communities improve their lives, recover from shocks and exclusion and secure viable opportunities for sustainable economic and livelihoods' development. We are increasingly shifting towards integrated development programming with a focus on sustainable livelihoods and economic development, and which must take into account insecurity in Niger and neighboring countries.

The Conflict Management and Peacebuilding Program Manager will have responsibility for the overall achievement of objectives, and the day-to-day administration and implementation of a peacebuilding program. This will include developing, testing and refining tools to assess the vulnerability of communities to violent extremism, strengthening the capacity of local partners in the areas of research, peacebuilding and conflict management, training and curriculum development, reviewing the design and implementation of the project, facilitating clear communication between diverse groups, and ensuring rigorous measurement of program impact and timely reporting.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Management

• Manage and oversee all program activities in cooperation with key project stakeholders, including local non-governmental organizations, local government officials, community-based organizations, other international agencies on the ground, and key donors;
• Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems are in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures
• Implement and model Mercy Corps' philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps' best practices.
• Increase staff capacity by designing and leading technical training sessions on assessment methodologies for Mercy Corps staff and local partners and providing ongoing coaching and mentoring.
• Lead conflict sensitivity training for Mercy Corps staff and local partners and continuously review the program activities to ensure no harm is being done.
• Promote learning and knowledge management through documentation and knowledge sharing around best practices and lessons learned;

Strategy and Vision

• Finalize the scope and purpose of the research project
• Design and test CVE vulnerability data collection tools, identify and acquire necessary secondary data sources, lead the collection of data, analyze data, and review drafts of the research.
• Ensure the quality and rigor of the research findings.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative view points are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
• Engage with Mercy Corps technical staff and program Advisory Board on tool development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure further resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Maintain good working relationships with the donor, the host country government and local leaders, partner agencies, and other key stakeholders;

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where participating team members – including local partners' leads and field agents – strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via performance reviews.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Supervise and regularly coordinate with project staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities;

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Project team, consisting of local partners' leads and field agents and any team member

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Country Director, Niger Country Office

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Mercy Corps administration, finance and logistics departments. Also works directly with local national staff and affiliated relevant Mercy Corps headquarters units as necessary, including Mercy Corps' Peace & Conflict technical support team and various administrative/financial units.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree in conflict mitigation, social sciences, international relations, development, or other relevant field preferred.
• Minimum 5-8 years' relevant professional experience implementing conflict management and reconciliation, youth, or livelihoods programs, preferably in insecure or transitional environments.
• Deep knowledge of violent extremism and/or radicalization and countering violent extremism
• Strong knowledge and experience of the Sahel context is great advantage, in particular experience working in Niger and/or Burkina Faso
• Demonstrated skills in applied research, statistical analysis, and qualitative research methods
• Experience working in and conducting research in conflict contexts an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to explain research findings, both visually and in writing
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
• Excellent synthesis and writing skills.
• Experience managing national and international staff.
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Fluent written and oral communication in both French and English is required.
• Experience working on US government funded projects an advantage

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Program Manager will have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This is an accompanied position based in Niamey, Niger.

While the security situation is volatile in the Sahel regions, security is quite stable in Niamey. The position is entitled to individual housing and is not eligible for R&R and hardship. There is good access to electricity and water, though there are occasional electrical outages. Access to quality health care is limited. There are a number of clinics in town, but serious illnesses will require evacuation. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required, where living conditions (water, electricity, food) are very basic. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods in Niamey.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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