The SPO will lead timely collection of planning and reporting inputs from RLP partners and the integration of program-level reports for submission to the donor. The SPO will also be responsible for collating and updating the program tools that will align with Mercy Corps’ program management minimum standards (including program file documentation, program documentation, program performance and financials).
S/he will coordinate with partners, donors, and other NGOs (non governmental organizations) at the request of the RLP Director and Deputy Director as well as take part in external and internal representation on behalf of the program.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Reporting management & internal communications – 40%
- Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports and operational plans on all aspects of RLP program delivery in a timely and efficient manner.
- Coordinate reporting timelines, processes, and report quality with RLP partners. Timelines and product quality to be agreed upon with RLP regional leadership.
- Lead all logistical aspects of partner and Mercy Corps work planning and reporting processes.
- Work closely with the Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) Manager and country and regional Program Performance and Quality (PaQ) team members to ensure compliance with internal Mercy Corps standards and safeguarding requirements.
- Work closely with the Director, Deputy Director, Contracts and Compliance Senior Manager and country-level Program Managers to support cross-program compliance, documentation and reporting that align with donor requirements around safeguarding, environment, and conflict-sensitive programming.
- Work closely with Mercy Corps in Europe Program Officers to ensure effective communication with all donors and the timely delivery of all donor deliverables.
Partner coordination, communication & governance – 30%
- Lead all partner communications and logistics for biannual Partner Steering Committee meetings, planning meetings, pause and reflect sessions, annual learning events, and other such events as requested by the Director and Deputy Director.
- Support the Director, Deputy Director and country-level Program Managers in the identification, selection and onboarding of collaborative partnerships with relevant international and local agencies active in livestock production and trade, market systems, including donors, other organizations, local authorities and local partners.
- At the direction of the Director and Deputy Director, attend relevant coordination forums to identify synergies.
- Manage and oversee routinely update the stakeholder management plan and program risk matrix.
Team support – 10%
- Support the Director and Deputy Director in the documentation and communication of team roles and responsibilities.
- Support country-level Program Managers and the Contracts and Compliance Senior Manager as they oversee the performance of program sub-grantees and contractors. Support team members and implementing partners in the development and dissemination of information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
- Regularly coordinate with program staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities.
- 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.
- Promote accountability and timely communications across RLP team members and the MC (Mercy Corps) Kenya country office.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Support development of onboarding tools and orientation of new team members as necessary.
Operations & finance support – 10%
- Support the smooth flow of routine program support functions (e.g., finance, administration, logistics) in relation to RLP and ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
- Ensure that any procurement is completed, documented, and delivered to end-user in a timely manner, ensuring that items procured meet the specifications of the end-user while adhering to donor and Mercy Corps procurement guidelines.
- Oversee database and paper file management for program files in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
Strategy & vision – 5%
- Support development of the program strategy and operational plans for submission to donors.
- Improve resource development processes through the development of guiding documents such as SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and guidance documents.
- Contribute to the program’s influencing agenda by supporting relevant team members to integrate and advance learning, adaptation and advocacy.
Security management – 5%
- Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
- Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES AND PARTNERS
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and partners 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.
Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not directly supervise any staff member.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Director, Regional Livestock Program
Works Directly with:
- RLP Director
- RLP Contracts and Compliance Senior Manager
- RLP Finance Manager
- RLP Program Managers (Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia)
- RLP Monitoring and Results Measurement Manager
Works Closely With:
- Mercy Corps Kenya Office Manager & Support Team
- Mercy Corps Kenya Operations Director & Operations Team
- Mercy Corps Kenya Finance Director and Finance Team
- Director, Evidence & Learning Resilient Dryland Production Systems
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, such as Business Administration, Project Management, Community Development, Leadership & Management, or relevant agriculture, livestock or rural development degree with management experience.
- Experience supporting large, complex or multi-country programs required. Demonstrated experience supporting remote teams from diverse backgrounds required.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience supporting development programs required.
- A minimum of 3 years demonstrated experience working within and between financial, procurement, administration, and logistics management systems required.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple activities, developing synergies and creating opportunities for collaboration.
- Persuasive written and oral communication in English, including report writing and editing is required; competency in Somali language beneficial.
- Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills; detail-oriented; and possessing an ability to anticipate program and operational needs.
- Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment and to a diverse group of national and international staff.
Preferred
- Demonstrated experience in team building and team coordination for team cohesion and engagement.
- Strong commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
- Experience working with host governments at the national and sub-national level, INGOs (International Non Governmental Organizations) and national NGOs and familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN (United Nations) agencies, and other NGOs.
- Experience working and partnering with private businesses of diverse sizes including national and multi-national firms.
- Understanding of adaptive management and participatory methodologies for project design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Prior experience working in or supporting programming in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) is preferred.
Posted: November 7, 2023
