Chief of Party, Water Innovations Technology (WIT) – Jordan

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been working hand-in-hand in Jordan with local communities and partners since 2002 to implement US, UN, EU, UK, and private donor funded projects. In 2006 Mercy Corps began implementation of a highly successful $30M USD Community Based Initiative for Water Demand Management (CBIWDM) project, which worked with 175 community-based organizations across Jordan to promote water demand management and energy saving and generating technologies. In addition, Mercy Corps is helping meet the immediate needs of vulnerable Syrian refugees in Jordan, supporting them and their Jordanian host communities meet urgent and basic needs by developing and supporting short and medium-term economic opportunities while also improving the capacity of shared infrastructure and services, such as water systems, in order to serve an increased population. Mercy Corps now looks to start a new, multi-year USAID grant to build on lessons learned from 9 years of strong community development work in water resource management.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief of Party (CoP) will lead the implementation of a proposed multi-year, multi- million dollar program that supports USAID’s strategic objective to conserve Jordan’s scarce water resources while at the same time supporting the development and expansion of alternative livelihoods opportunities for Jordan’s refugee and host communities, particularly in the agriculture sector using innovative technologies. The COP will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision, managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The COP will supervise key program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. S/he will be the primary program representative to relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders, as well as represent Mercy Corps to USAID in collaboration with Mercy Corps’ Country Director. This position spans through the life of the project, expected to last 5 years.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

• Lead the development of a vision and strategy for the program shared with program team and key stakeholders.
• Play an active role in identifying and developing new initiatives that foster and/or improve strategic objectives of the program and the country office.
• Leads the development of annual workplans and PMP plans.
• Leads a culture and operationalization of adaptive management practices within the team to ensure that program approaches remain relevant and responsive to the changing context in Jordan.

Program Management

• Oversee program start-up, management and administration. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corp’s relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
• Develop partnership frameworks, partner agreements/Memorandum of Understandings, and oversee partner capacity building.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice in water demand management
• Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Provide coaching to national team members identified for leadership roles and formulate the transition plan for these individuals—support and build the skills needed to succeed in a top leadership role on a large USAID-funded program.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Help team members identify problem solving options
• Ensure the integration of team members into relevant decision-making.

Finance and Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
• Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and Mercy Corps needs.

Representation & Coordination

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Security

• 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 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 that benefits Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Direct supervision of a Deputy Chief of Party, Technical Advisors, Team Leaders, and the overall supervision for a team of roughly 15-20 people.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other program managers, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit. The CoP will also work closely with the representatives of Mercy Corps technical and implementing partners.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field (i.e. agriculture, water demand management, community development).
• 7-10 years of experience leading a donor-funded programs of similar scale and complexity (approx. $10 million per annum).
• Experience managing USG complex contracts and agreements and strong understanding of USAID rules and regulations and compliance issues, as well as a positive track record in promoting transparent communications back-and-forth with USAID.
• Experience with and commitment to drive a market-based approach to achieve project objectives.
• Persuasive written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing, as well as strong presentation skills when addressing diverse audiences.
• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues, and emphasis on establishing a balance between strategic guidance and team empowerment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques.
• Strong understanding of USAID compliance issues
• Arabic language skills preferred, English fluency required.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in market systems development, water demand management, and/or livelihoods and agriculture
• Previous experience working in the Middle East preferred and strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Jordan preferred.
• Prior experience working with Mercy Corps is preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful CoP will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.

The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is based in Amman, Jordan which is an accompanied post. Jordan is middle income country with excellent education, medical, and other facilities in the capital Amman. Jordan is a very safe country with excellent communications, transportation, and housing infrastructure. Although neighbouring countries continue to experience political unrest, Jordan has been a stable monarchy for over 30 years and the destination preference for many people from the Middle East to relax or gain access to available services. In recent months events unfolding in Syria and Iraq have increased local concerns over the continued stability of Jordan but to date there have been no incidents.

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 MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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