Country Director,Jordan

COUNTRY DIRECTOR – JORDAN-Amman

Mercy Corps seeks a passionate, visionary leader to manage major programming in Jordan. The Country Director role is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of millions of Jordanians. Mercy Corps’ innovative approach within Iraq has allowed us to continue to provide critical assistance to some of the country’s most vulnerable populations during a period of tremendous upheaval and opportunity. Operational in Jordanian 2003 – and with a current annual budget of over USD $50 million from programs funded by USAID, WFP, UN, and Department of State – we are now searching for an entrepreneurial leader to continue to nurture and develop sustainable programming. This exciting challenge will require a resourceful and proven leader who has held senior roles in large, complex institutions, preferably in conflict locations.  S/he will place a high value on innovative solutions to development issues; creative partnerships in tough environments; and accountable programming to beneficiaries and donors. The successful candidate will be an inspirational manager, committed to advancing the organization’s strategy and empowering its senior leaders.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Country Director is the top management position for Mercy Corps in Jordan with supervisory and managerial responsibility over all in-country personnel, programs and policies. The Country Director is responsible for developing the overall strategic direction for programming in cooperation with Mercy Corps’ senior management team and local and international partners. S/He is also responsible for developing and implementing systems, policies and procedures for Mercy Corps’ operations in Jordan.  As Mercy Corps’ senior manager in Jordan, the Country Director is also responsible for financial oversight, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, staff security, human resource management, and representation in the field.  Working closely with the Regional Program Director, the Country Director ensures that country program operations are of the highest quality and standards and supportive of Mercy Corps’ global and regional strategies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategy and Vision

- Formulate and plan, in consultation with key stakeholders, a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies which can be clearly communicated to team members, local beneficiaries, international partners, governmental counterparts, and donors.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.
- Evaluate program priorities within the country and participate in regional prioritization.
- Explore, evaluate and present new country and project funding opportunities that leverage impact and integrate initiatives and activities; support and direct related fund-raising activities with both institutional and private donors.

Team Management

- Develop and maintain an adequate human resource plan consistent with Mercy Corps policies, including current position descriptions for all Mercy Corps Jordan positions, personnel orientation and professional development plans, personnel evaluation system, field personnel policy manual, and personnel grievance procedure system.
- Recruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient team with an emphasis on excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, incorporating staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team building process.
- Establish leadership and personal credibility with the Mercy Corps team, and implement and create an organizational culture of accountability, responsibility and quality of services.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation

- Ensure programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E;systems.

Representation

- Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media, and participate in local community activities as appropriate.
- Maintain effective and positive internal contacts with Mercy Corps corporate officers and staff, and external contacts with USAID, Embassy officials, Jordan-based relief and development organizations, national and local government officials, international NGOs, donor agency officials, vendors, media and general public.

Fiscal, Compliance Management and Accountability

- Coordinate overall country budget; manage budget within approved spending levels and establish an annual cash flow plan to ensure a steady and adequate supply of funds for program activities.
- Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors.
- Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.

Security

- Manage security and safety of the entire country team and Mercy Corps assets according to best practices, MC operating standards and field realities.
- Liaise with the Global Security Advisor, GEO Director and Regional Program Director on crucial events, high risk periods, incident reporting or security policy changes.

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

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:  All offices and all team members in Jordan

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  HQ-based Program Operations, Finance and Technical Support Unit

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

- BA/S required & MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development preferred.
- 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large, complex transitional development programs.
- Five years practical experience in community-based programming, capacity building, NGO management
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments.
- Excellent writing skills and experience with proposal development processes with prior experience with USAID, UN, EU and other bilateral funding agencies.
- Five years of senior-level leadership and field management experience, including building, managing and leading a team of professionals
- Prior experience working and managing a program in a high security alert area, with demonstrated knowledge and skills to manage the security in conflict and post-conflict situations.
- Previous work experience in Middle East and demonstrated ability to work comfortably, and sensitively, in the environment required.
- Proven skills in financial management are necessary;
- English proficiency required; Arabic language skills preferred.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy and have effective verbal & written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills. He/She will have demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members. The ability to facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles is essential.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The location of this position is to be determined. However, likely that that location will be group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. 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.