Position Title: Program and Research Manager
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Description
*** Position could be based in Indonesia
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.
Program / Department Summary
The five-year Zurich Foundation-funded, Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance 2.0 program is a multi-stakeholder, global program designed to increase investments in flood resilience through global advocacy and influence efforts, driven by strong research and evidence. The core program approach is to influence a range of donors, policy-makers and practitioners to invest more appropriately in flood prevention and preparedness – through better funding mechanisms, improved policy, and better practice – in order to reduce risk and sustain development across a range of flood-vulnerable communities worldwide. As a core partner in the Alliance, Mercy Corps is leading the Policy and Advocacy component, thus supporting the program and its partners with the overall influence theory of change, and guiding the implementation of influence-related activities. In addition, Mercy Corps has a central role in supporting knowledge management, research and evidence and driving innovative programs in support of the overall influence agenda. As part of its role in the Alliance, Mercy Corps is coordinating with a number of Alliance partners in support of driving its’ influence goals. These partners include development organizations (Plan International, Concern Worldwide, ICRC), Research Institutions and Think tanks.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps is looking for a Field-based Program and Research Manager to work with its country teams in Nepal and Indonesia (with the potential to expand to other countries) on identifying and overseeing research, learning opportunities, and national advocacy strategies related to flood resilience. S/he will be a strong facilitator, researcher and technical expert in resilience, and will provide field teams the full range of programmatic and technical support required to deliver strong knowledge and research products in support of the Zurich Alliance 2.0 flood resilience agenda. These include but not limited post-flood monitoring, post-event assessments and return on investment analysis. Under the guidance of the Program and Influence Coordinator, the Program Manager will work with designated country teams to develop influence and shared value strategies at a national-level, and provide field teams overall guidance towards their implementation. S/he will work under the leadership of the Regional Resilience Director and the HQ-based Program Coordinator to develop field-based workplans in coordination with the program team, identify and hire consultants, and provide strong technical leadership for the delivery of required products. S/he will build the technical capacity of field-based teams in resilience research throughout the process.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & 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 countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Program Management
• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop partners’ MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
• In collaboration with the HQ-based Program Coordinator, the Regional Resilience Hub, and Field Program teams, facilitate the development of clear field-based strategies and workplans in fulfillment of program objectives.
• Work effectively through a matrix management structure to set program deliverables, identify roles and responsibilities, develop workplans, and monitor progress.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings with partner program teams to review and reflect on progress towards the Theory of Change, and re-assess plans where necessary.
• Develop and implement systems to ensure strong coordination and participation across partner program teams.
• Monitor and report on program progress against workplans and donor deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps, donor, and partner government financial and operational procedures.
• Write and compile field reports and financials for submission to the donor.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Research and Learning
• In coordination with field teams, develop and oversee the delivery of a strong research agenda in fulfillment of national, regional and global influence strategies, related to the Alliance 2.0.
• With support from the Program Coordinator, Resilience Hub and Research and Learning team, manage a roster of high-quality consultants to provide on-demand services for research implementation, including experts in return on investment, post-event analysis and resilience monitoring.
• Provide technical mentorship and support to ensure delivery of high quality research products. This includes development and/or comprehensive review of concepts notes and scopes of work, technical review of methodologies and strategies, and strong input into the draft of final products.
• Directly develop, or provide strong input into briefs, blogs, case studies, and other key written material that helps to synthesize research and make it accessible for key audience members.
• Identify rapid learning and documentation opportunities within the programs, and lead the development of related products.
• Coordinate regularly with the Regional Resilience MEL Coordinator, to ensure exchange of knowledge and learning, and to ensure the technical quality of research
• Serve as the field focal point for knowledge management under the Alliance 2.0
Influence
• Working under the guidance of the Program Coordinator and Regional Resilience Hub, support field programs in Indonesia and Nepal to develop national influence strategies in relation to the Zurich Alliance 2.0 objectives, and in alignment with Mercy Corps’ global advocacy and resilience workplan.
• Facilitate networking with key agencies in the field to forward the program’s influence agenda
• Facilitate and support field-based events in support of the global flood resilience influence strategy.
• Represent the program and research in national, regional and international events.
• Where appropriate, oversee or support the release and dissemination of key influence products, in coordination with the regional resilience hub and HQ-based flood resilience team.
Coordination, Networking and Representaion
• 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.
• Collaborate closely with the Regional Resilience Hub, Flood Resilience Team, and field program team to ensure program delivery supports local, regional and global resilience strategies and influence agendas.
• Coordinate with the Program Director and Coordinator, as well as Regional and Global Resilience teams on the communication and release of research and influence products related to the Zurich Alliance 2.0 Objectives.
• Collaborate regularly with other field-based program managers from Zurich Alliance 2.0 partner organizations in support of learning and exchange.
• Represent the Zurich Alliance 2.0 program in the region
• Ensures learning is shared across Mercy Corps’ Regional Resilience Hubs
Finance & Compliance Management
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
Security
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• 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 toward 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
None; works through a dotted line, matrix management structure, overseeing deliverables related to Zurich Alliance 2.0 work through program managers and research point-persons.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Regional Resilience Director, with strong dotted line to Program Coordinator
Works Directly With: Regional Resilience Hub Team, Indonesia and Nepal Partner Program teams, SEA Desk, Flood Resilience Team, Global Resilience Team
Knowledge and Experience
• Master’s or equivalent technical experience in International Development, or Economics, or related field, with strong focus on quantitative and qualitative field research techniques.
• 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience working in the region
• Experience working in diverse field contexts
• Strong understanding of resilience and resilience measurement concepts
• Proven research and writing skills, particularly in tailoring research reports to diverse audience members
• Demonstrated capacity-building or mentorship skills across cross-cultural contexts
• Strong multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills; proven ability to get buy-in and coordinate a diverse range of stakeholders
Success Factors
S/he brings excellent communication and negotiation skills. Is a team player and takes the Initiative and ability to motivate and inspire others. They have the ability to work independently and deliver products on tight timelines with limited oversight/ S/he is able to work across diverse contexts and with diverse teams
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in either Kathmandu, Nepal or Jakarta, Indonesia and it requires up to (40%) travel across the two countries, and to research locations. This position is unaccompanied until work visa is secured.
