Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps implements a variety of programming throughout the Middle East in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs of the region. Mercy Corps has ongoing programs in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Mercy Corps is committed to delivering high quality, high impact programming that reaches communities or individuals in need, wherever they are.

General Position Summary

The Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for the Middle East is a senior leader providing significant strategic direction and support to Mercy Corps programs quality and initiatives in the region. They work closely with the Regional Director (RD) to ensure transformational change occurs through the combination of: programmatic impact in our communities; the ability to influence change makers at local, regional and global levels; and a restlessness to innovate in search of better solutions. They will collaborate with the RD to build and sustain a cohesive regional management team, ensuring the Middle East portfolio is geared towards excellence with established and responsive systems.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & PLANNING

• Work with the regional Senior Leadership Team to articulate an ambitious and compelling regional strategy for Mercy Corps in the Middle East.
• Contribute to the development of compelling country-level strategies that integrate with a coherent regional strategy, and are aligned with Mercy Corps’ global Strategic Compass.
• Act as key partner for the RD to achieve an effective regional management team that delivers programmatic excellence and significant impact and influence in the region.
• Work with regional and HQ-based teams to develop regional research and learning priorities that are connected to regional and global strategic priorities.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Supervise the Regional Program Team on grant administration, the regional New Initiatives and the regional Program Performance and Quality (PaQ)in order to work together as a cohesive regional program support unit to deliver support to Country teams. Manage any additional technical or programmatic resources at regional level.
• Ensure that members of this team have a deep understanding of their roles and are connected to relevant stakeholders across the agency to inform and promote agency strategies and best practices.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on one meetings and performance reviews.
• Ensure sound performance management and staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development.
• Fill in as needed for Regional Director and for field leadership during vacations/home leave and or leadership gaps as necessary.
• Ensure dynamic engagement mechanisms across the region and globally to ensure every voice matters.
• Encourage a climate of idea generation, open discourse, and honest communication, creating a trusting, inclusive team.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & PORTFOLIO GROWTH

• Identify, explore and pursue funding opportunities that support regional and country strategy objectives.
• Supervise and support the development of concept notes, proposals and other funding requests, ensuring quality submissions that maximize chances for success, including sourcing technical expertise to assist.
• Position Mercy Corps for strategic funding opportunities that build on country and/or regional programmatic priorities.

PROGRAMS QUALITY ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES & INNOVATION

• Ensure that the appropriate systems are in place for all programs in the region to achieve the highest possible impact and are in line with overall regional and global strategies.
• Ensure that the appropriate systems are in place to ensure that Mercy Corps’ programs adhere to Mercy Corps and global best practices, policies and standards (cash minimum standards, etc.).
• Encourage a culture of learning and innovation among all Mercy Corps staff in the region.
• Work closely with headquarters support units to ensure continuous quality improvement of field programs, and that teams are working towards achieving excellence.
• Support all countries in the region to adopt and adhere to Mercy Corps’ program accountability and CARM policies.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Engage with prospective donors to shape and influence their strategies and funding priorities.
• Develop and nurture strong external relationships and networks to support program success.
• Identify and pursue areas for thought leadership, including building connections with civil society leaders, government officials, donors, private sector partners, relevant diplomatic missions and other actors.
• Serve as a respected representative for Mercy Corps in the Middle East, promoting the organization’s capabilities, expertise, innovation, strategic vision and values.

Supervisory Responsibility

Regional Program Team (MCG - MCE), Regional PAQ Advisor, New Initiatives Specialist.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Regional Director, Middle East
• Works Directly With: Country Directors, Operations Managers/ Directors, Finance Managers/ Directors, Senior Management Teams as required inclusive of program teams, and supplemental support teams based at HQ in locations such as Portland, OR and/or Edinburgh, Scotland
• Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S in international development, social science, business administration or other relevant fields required, MA/S or equivalent years of experience strongly preferred;
• 10+ years of experience in senior management roles, involving team management, strategy advisory, engagement with multiple actors internally and externally;
• Confident communication skills applicable to donor relations, media outreach, and inter-agency coordination;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, and solve complex problems at an organizational level;
• Significant experience in strategy development, program design/development and planning;
• Demonstrated experience with private sector is essential;
• Successful and proven negotiation and communication skills;
• Demonstrated understanding of the critical humanitarian and development issues in the Middle East, and significant experience with the challenges of operating in the region;
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Fluent in English required, Arabic strongly preferred

Success Factors

The successful Deputy Regional Director will apply a strong combination of strategy development, leadership, management, coordination, and relationship-building skills with an outstanding ability to support innovative, impactful programs. With a high capacity to deliver results under tight deadlines with multiple priorities, the Deputy Regional Director will have the ability to think ahead and decide on course of action, ensuring that the required resources to implement are available to achieve high-quality outcomes. Commitment, flexibility and openness to new practices, concepts, ideas and change for continuous improvement will serve the position and team well. Public relations skills are integral success factors in this position. Excellent negotiation and communication skills will foster the development of donor and partner relationships. The role also requires a deep understanding of the region, its recent history, current trends and political environment. Being a team player, a positive attitude and a sense of humor are a must, along with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and a commitment to the values and mission of Mercy Corps.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Amman, Jordan and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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