Job Description
Colombians strongly encouraged to apply.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps and War Child have worked for 5 years in the departments of Chocó and Putumayo. During this time, they have implemented programs aimed at strengthening protective factors related to the prevention of recruitment of children and teens into the ongoing Colombian armed conflict, working through schools in these departments. The organizations came together to create a consortium that was chosen to implement the “Protecting, Educating and Advancing Children and Youth in Colombia (PEACYC)” project funded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), which will be implemented during the next 5 years.
The DFATD Colombian strategy aims to strengthen human rights and reduce inequity and poverty of the most vulnerable populations, with a focus on men / women and youth. The project proposes the following results: Improved protection and education of high-risk children and youth in Chocó and Putumayo and Sustainable improvement of the capacity of the Ministries of Education in the Chocó and Putumayo and the Ministry of Education to protect and educate high-risk children and youth.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
This role will direct the PEACYC project, overseeing all programmatic, financial and administrative areas. S/he will manage the political, financial and community sustainability of the project through the design and implementation of an advocacy strategy with multiple stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy and Vision
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
- Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Program Management
- Oversee program start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
- Facilitate the establishment and operation of the Consortium between Mercy Corps and War Child.
- Lead planning and program development in the departments of Putumayo, Choco and at the national level.
- Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ and War Child´s relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
- Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
- Strengthen relationships with stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels.
Partnership Development
- Develop partners MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
- Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution process as well as, psychosocial and capacity building of partners.
- Develop and review the role of project partners and organizations.
- Manage the relationship with sub-grantees on technical, programmatic, administrative, and financial issues.
- Design and implement a coordination and training strategy for sub-grantees.
- Arrange for regular check-ins with partners to share experiences and resolve issues that arise.
- Develop tools and systems for comprehensive project monitoring and evaluation of sub-grantees.
- Perform technical and financial evaluations of sub-grantees.
- Ensure coordination with ICBF, ICBF regional centers, Ministry of Education, Departmental Secretaries of Education, and other relevant state agencies and other sectors (International Cooperation).
- Coordinate with other similar DFATD programs operating in the departments of PEACYC.
- Establish interagency partnerships with different national, regional and local actors that can contribute to the outcomes and impact of the project.
- Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
- Ensure best practices in relationship to DFATD, Mercy Corps, and War Child gender policies.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
- Monitor and track objectives, results, activities, and indicators set out in the Project in terms of effectiveness and transparency control. (Logical framework, monitoring and evaluation plan, Performance Management Plan).
- Establish tools and systems to ensure effective monitoring of all project components, including the annual work plan and project indicators.
- Coordinate and integrate the project team to ensure the achievement of expected results, providing the support required to strengthen the project intervention.
- Design and implement knowledge management, best practices, and lessons learned plans.
- Monitor financial and programmatic implementation of the program.
- Assure timely evaluations and audits of the program.
- Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor, Mercy Corps and War Child policies and procedures.
- Develop and implement a communications strategy following all policies of DFATD, Mercy Corps, and War Child.
Team Management
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with administrative and financial processes of donor, Mercy Corps, and War Child.
- Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
- Produce high quality program reports to the donor, in English and Spanish.
- Review and approve financial reports to the donor in English and Spanish.
Representation
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
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: Technical Managers, Project Coordinators, and Specialists.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director and Consortium Country Directors of Mercy Corps and War Child, Colombia.
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Technical Managers and Specialists from Mercy Corps and War Child.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- A professional level degree in Social Science, Legal Studies, Management and Economics, Education or Psychology, preferably with Master’s Degree, with emphasis on international cooperation and/or Project Management
- Languages: fluent Spanish and advanced English, spoken and written.
- Understanding of the National System of Children and Youth Protection and the Colombian education system.
- Knowledge of differential and gender approaches.
- Strong leadership and management capabilities.
- Knowledge of children and adolescent methodologies and national and international regulatory framework for child rights.
- Experience working on projects funded by the Canadian Embassy.
- Experience managing teams.
- Experience in management of programs and projects over $10 million.
- 5-7 years’ experience at the professional level, and with specific experience of more than five (5) years in Project Management.
- Desirable experience - projects focused on the protection and education of children.
- Preferred experience - working with international NGOs for at least 5 years.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Program Director will have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines while managing a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps and War Child. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position is based in Bogota, Colombia and it requires up to (40%) travel to Chocó and Putumayo. This is an accompanied position.
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.
