PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps started operation in China in 2001, since then we implemented over 60 projects in 11 provinces, directly benefited 500,000 people. We are distinct in that we respond with urgency- and quickly transition relief efforts into recovery work that’s focused on the long term. We use market mechanisms to speed the transition to development programming, helping communities build back better. Mercy Corps’ 20 team members in China leverage technology to improve the scale and effectiveness of programs. Beginning in 2001, Mercy Corps established a strong strategic partnership with China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), both organizations represent a powerful combination of global expertise and experience in working across the public, private and civic sectors in China. The partnership is time and experience-tested, including collaboration on responses to the 2008 and 2013 Sichuan earthquakes and 2014 Yunnan earthquake. Mercy Corps is committed to
building resilience and improving economic access and growth for poor and vulnerable populations within China and beyond by leveraging technology and partnerships between government, businesses, and civil society. Mercy Corps’ investment focuses on humanitarian emergency response, post-emergency recovery, youth and women’s empowerment, agricultural market development, disaster risk reduction and the strengthening of Chinese civil society.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Program (DoP) - China oversees Mercy Corps China’s existing portfolio of programs focusing on economic development, emergency response, agriculture and financial services, youth and woman empowerment and NGO capacity building. The Director of Program will provide overall management to the implementation of the existing portfolio of programs, including managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The DoP will support the Country Director (CD) in building new initiatives as well as developing viable business opportunities for Mercy Corps China. The DOP will work closely with local partners, supervise key program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Management
* Ensure program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ guidelines
* Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution process as well as capacity building of partners as needed.
* Establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use.
* Review monitoring systems for gathering data regarding case studies and the functioning of the community accountability response mechanism (CARM).
* Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
Team Management
* Create a sustained work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
* Promote accountability, communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
* Coordinate with the Country Director and the Operations Supervisor to hire, supervise and orient new team members as necessary.
Coordination and Representation:
* Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in close coordination with the China Country Director.
* Coordinate activities with partners, sub grantees, local government as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
* Manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Business Development and New Initiatives
* Contribute to the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to country strategy.
* Assess the needs for program design evaluation and analysis. Further develop a multi-year country specific strategic plan for China, in line with the regional value propositions and Mercy Corps’ global strategy.
Security
* Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
* Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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: Program Managers and Coordinators
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: China Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Strategic Partnership Development Adviser, DM&E Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Supervisor, project managers.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
* 5-7 years of field program experience. Experience with economic development and M4P preferred.
* BA/S or equivalent in economic development, business administration, international development, or relevant field.
* Previous experience managing people and projects/programs preferred.
* Significant experience managing programs in technical areas – this includes experience in engaging the private sector, emergency response, agriculture development, youth or woman empowerment and using market mechanism in development programming.
* Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
* Excellent written and verbal English skills required. Mandarin language skill is preferred.
* Previous experience in China preferred.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrated experience with private level donors preferred.
* Exceptional multitasking, attention to detail, adaptability, organizational and prioritization skills are necessary.
* Demonstrated success with proposal development preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful DoP 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 market-based programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will have the ability to build a high performance team and implement a large complex project that delivers outstanding results. Creativity and entrepreneurial spirit will be vital in supporting new initiatives, capitalizing on opportunities, and growing and sustaining programs. S/he should have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Multitasking, prioritizing, problem solving, 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 /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
This position is based in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, with 25% travel to program sites. This is an accompanied position. Chengdu is a modern and dynamic city with a wealth of natural and human resources and the quality of life is generally very high.
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. 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.
Organization Description:
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps started operation in China in 2001, since then we implemented over 60 projects in 11 provinces, directly benefited 500,000 people. We are distinct in that we respond with urgency- and quickly transition relief efforts into recovery work that’s focused on the long term. We use market mechanisms to speed the transition to development programming, helping communities build back better. Mercy Corps’ 20 team members in China leverage technology to improve the scale and effectiveness of programs. Beginning in 2001, Mercy Corps established a strong strategic partnership with China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), both organizations represent a powerful combination of global expertise and experience in working across the public, private and civic sectors in China. The partnership is time and experience-tested, including collaboration on responses to the 2008 and 2013 Sichuan earthquakes and 2014 Yunnan earthquake. Mercy Corps is committed to
building resilience and improving economic access and growth for poor and vulnerable populations within China and beyond by leveraging technology and partnerships between government, businesses, and civil society. Mercy Corps’ investment focuses on humanitarian emergency response, post-emergency recovery, youth and women’s empowerment, agricultural market development, disaster risk reduction and the strengthening of Chinese civil society.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Program (DoP) - China oversees Mercy Corps China’s existing portfolio of programs focusing on economic development, emergency response, agriculture and financial services, youth and woman empowerment and NGO capacity building. The Director of Program will provide overall management to the implementation of the existing portfolio of programs, including managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The DoP will support the Country Director (CD) in building new initiatives as well as developing viable business opportunities for Mercy Corps China. The DOP will work closely with local partners, supervise key program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Management
-Ensure program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ guidelines
-Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution process as well as capacity building of partners as needed.
-Establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use.
-Review monitoring systems for gathering data regarding case studies and the functioning of the community accountability response mechanism (CARM).
-Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
Team Management
-Create a sustained work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
-Promote accountability, communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
-Coordinate with the Country Director and the Operations Supervisor to hire, supervise and orient new team members as necessary.
Coordination and Representation:
-Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in close coordination with the China Country Director.
-Coordinate activities with partners, sub grantees, local government as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
-Manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Business Development and New Initiatives
-Contribute to the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to country strategy.
-Assess the needs for program design evaluation and analysis. Further develop a multi-year country specific strategic plan for China, in line with the regional value propositions and Mercy Corps’ global strategy.
Security
-Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
-Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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: Program Managers and Coordinators
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: China Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Strategic Partnership Development Adviser, DM&E Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Supervisor, project managers.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
-5-7 years of field program experience. Experience with economic development and M4P preferred.
-BA/S or equivalent in economic development, business administration, international development, or relevant field.
-Previous experience managing people and projects/programs preferred.
-Significant experience managing programs in technical areas – this includes experience in engaging the private sector, emergency response, agriculture development, youth or woman empowerment and using market mechanism in development programming.
-Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
-Excellent written and verbal English skills required. Mandarin language skill is preferred.
-Previous experience in China preferred
-Excellent interpersonal skills.
-Demonstrated experience with private level donors preferred.
-Exceptional multitasking, attention to detail, adaptability, organizational and prioritization skills are necessary.
-Demonstrated success with proposal development preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful DoP 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 market-based programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will have the ability to build a high performance team and implement a large complex project that delivers outstanding results. Creativity and entrepreneurial spirit will be vital in supporting new initiatives, capitalizing on opportunities, and growing and sustaining programs. S/he should have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Multitasking, prioritizing, problem solving, 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 /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, with 25% travel to program sites. This is an accompanied position. Chengdu is a modern and dynamic city with a wealth of natural and human resources and the quality of life is generally very high.
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. 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.
Location(s): China - Sìchuān - Chéngdū Shì
