Description
About Mercy Corps
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.
We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, addressing problems from multiple angles. And we go beyond emergency aid, partnering with local governments, forward-thinking corporations, social entrepreneurs, and people living in fragile communities to develop bold solutions that make lasting change possible.
Project/ Department Summary
Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development projects. Mercy Corps Iraq's (MCIQ) current goal is to work with new and existing civil society, public and private sector partners to meet immediate and long-term needs by strengthening communities’ resilience. Mercy Corps launched a Global Strategy - Pathway to Possibility (P2P) - that guides MCIQ’s exciting three-year country strategy. This country strategy vision is to enhance the resilience of Iraqi communities to address the drivers of conflict, thrive in the face of climate change, and facilitate long term peace and prosperity through prioritization of locally led initiatives, focusing on strengthening and expanding existing CSO networks’ organizational and technical capacity, and support for their collective advocacy. The resulting situation brings together a diversity of staff, technical expertise and program learning, along with a critical opportunity to influence policy makers and donor priorities moving forward. Mercy Corps is a leader in peacebuilding and good governance programming. Our cross-sector work actively incorporates principles and strategies to build and sustain stability, in addition to our initiatives to prevent and reduce violent conflict and enhance bottom-up and top-down governance processes. We have pioneered a systems approach to understanding conflict, analyzing political, economic, socio-cultural, and ecological systems to identify dynamics driving conflict and poor governance. Our evidence-based programming is rooted in rigorous research and innovative evaluations, promoting continuous learning and program evolution internally while reinforcing Mercy Corps' role as a thought leader for the broader peacebuilding and good governance communities.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Peace and Good Governance Lead (P&GG Lead) will be the Head of P&GG and provides strategic leadership and is responsible for developing on overall strategy for the P&GG portfolio in consultation with relevant actors; pre-positioning and proposal development for P&GG opportunities; and grant implementation. The position engages strategically across the organization and externally to develop and drive programming that is responsive to the community needs, major policy debates and knowledge gaps around program theories and practice. The P&GG Lead will liaise with INGO, CSOs, other humanitarian and development actors, and government authorities in their respective areas, and will lead in strategic planning and positioning for expansion of peace and good governance initiatives. The P&GG Lead dedicates time to raising the profile of Mercy Corps’ programming and evidence by giving high profile talks, participating in panels and research networks, and attending key external forums. He/she will also cultivate and deepen relationships with donors, policy makers, academics, and other evidence consumers. The position will maximize engagement with Iraqi NGOs by ensuring they are co-creators and partners in delivering on all commitments. Essential Job Responsibilities:
STRATEGIC GROWTH OBJECTIVES
Work closely with the Deputy Country Director and Senior leadership to ensure Mercy Corps’ global strategy (P2P) and the country office strategy guides decision making. Serve as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and program Leadership team (PLT) to provide input and leadership around country-level policies and processes, including proactive problem solving and cross-department collaboration and building consensus around a common vision of what shared success in Iraq looks like. Lead integration with other sectoral programs, joint proposal development, sectoral strategies, and exploring possibilities of multi sectorial or area-based programing, Recognize opportunities for innovative action, use of new technology, digital peacebuilding, transformative governance approach and creating an environment of trust where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
PROGRAM Leadership, QUALITY, LEARNING AND IMPACT
Provide leadership to ensure programs meet donor and internal obligations on scope, time and budget, and enhance internal program/ sector coordination, collaboration and communication. Ensure Mercy Corps minimum standards, guidelines, policies and SOPs are understood and adhered by all team members Lead the maintenance, technical orientation, rollout, socialization, and sustainability planning for newly established technical working groups. Work with the Program Quality, Evidence and Learning (QEL) unit for the roll out of ELA (Evidence and learning agenda), Learning center, QRMs and to ensure that implementation, monitoring and evaluation is practical and reflects best practices. Explore partnerships with universities, research institutions, and other organizations to produce case studies, assessments, and other learning documentation, as well as enhance program quality.
PROGRAM AND PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
Proactively lead and contribute to donor relationship building, exploring new partnerships and new business opportunities/ proposal development to grow the portfolio. Liaise with Regional advisors and country team (QEL, Program Development and Grants Team, Deputy Country Director) to gather/analyze data to determine program needs and priorities and Mercy Corps’ competitive advantage for funding in Iraq Develop and regularly update (at least bi-annually) a development strategy for their portfolio that takes into consideration donor trends, the contexts and needs in the country, and Mercy Corps technical expertise and P2P Work with other sectoral teams on the design and support of multi-sectoral programs that encompass elements of broader agency goals such as resilience, food security, economic opportunities, social cohesion and governance.
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Allocate and manage resources between project management, business development (in coordination with the Program Development Team), and oversee project start-ups to closeouts in accordance with PM@MC guidance and relevant policies/procedures Allocate and manage resources between project management, business development (in coordination with the Program Development Team), and oversee project start-ups to closeouts in accordance with PM@MC guidance and relevant policies/procedures Engage in periodic in-depth reviews to ensure programs are GEDSI-sensitive and adhere to Do No Harm principles, in coordination with GEDSI Advisor. Ensure program teams receive regular technical guidance, coaching, training and capacity building initiatives (through TRaQ or other learning channels). Assist program teams in developing relevant SOPs and program guidelines Promote Mercy Corps localization strategy and drive the engagement with local NGOs/CSOs by involving them in all facets of programming Ensure Mercy Corps participation in coordination mechanisms.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews, check-ins, and real-time reflection. * Supervise and manage SPMs and/o
