Mercy Corps is a leading international non-governmental humanitarian agency with a global mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.
Safeguarding at Mercy Corps is committed to the community members we work with and the beneficiaries we serve. As part of this commitment, Mercy Corps has zero tolerance for violations of our Code of Conduct (Sexual Abuse of Beneficiaries and Community Members (PSEA), Anti-Trafficking Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, Mercy Corps Ethics Complaint and Whistleblower Policy, Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy, and Anti-Fraud and Corruption).
Mercy Corps Yemen would like to announce that the following position is currently open for recruitment: 

Position Title: Team Leader
Number of Vacancy:  1
Duty Station:  Taiz – City
Position Category:  Full-time AND Regular 
Duration of Assignment: till 31 Dec 2022 with possibility of extension based on fund and performance.
Deadline: 01-Feb-2022

Mercy Corps is a leading international non-governmental humanitarian agency with a global mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.
Safeguarding at Mercy Corps is committed to the community members we work with and the beneficiaries we serve. As part of this commitment, Mercy Corps has zero tolerance for violations of our Code of Conduct (Sexual Abuse of Beneficiaries and Community Members (PSEA), Anti-Trafficking Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, Mercy Corps Ethics Complaint and Whistleblower Policy, Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy, and Anti-Fraud and Corruption).

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world and has worked in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. In response to acute and increasing humanitarian needs in Yemen, Mercy Corps opened its office in Yemen in 2010. Primary program interventions include water, sanitation, and hygiene; food security and nutrition; cash transfers and livelihood support. Strategies to enhance the resilience of communities to the harsh environmental and social conditions in the country cut across the portfolio.  Currently MCY has four offices and approximately 100 staff. 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Team Leader will lead the effective coordination in the implementation of multi-sector program activities in Taiz and Aden Governorates. The activities to support conflict-affected populations include water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, cash transfers, livelihoods, nutrition, and protection assistance. The Team Leader will be responsible and accountable for program delivery that is on scope, on time and on budget. S/he will be responsible to ensure compliance of programs with donor regulations, as well as Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures. He/she will effectively and efficiently support the field team to ensure the required level of cross-sector coordination and integration, including complementarity with any other Mercy Corps programming in the same areas. Moreover, the incumbent will supervise and train program staff, ensure accountability to beneficiaries and collaboration with clusters through Mercy Corps’ sector technical teams.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and vision

• Contribute to the development and adaptation of the country office strategy including active mobilization of inputs from team and external stakeholders
• Participate and contribute towards the development of a new portfolio of diversified programs and retention of existing ones in line with the country office strategy.

Program Management:

• Provide leadership in proactive implementation of all assigned programs ensuring these are consistently on-scope, on time and on budget
• Provide hands-on and timely leadership and support to teams during all phases of the program management cycle from design through to close-out in compliance with all procedures and standards laid out in Mercy Corps Program Management policy.
• Responsible for leading regular planning and coordination of all program activities including selection of sites/facilities, mobilization of stakeholders and selection of participants and implementation of interventions.
• Provide hands-on overall supervision and coordination of integrated approaches during implementation of activities across health and nutrition, WASH, cash and food security and livelihood sectors.
• Lead in budget management including required forecasting, approvals, regular analysis of spending within contract and Mercy Corps policies
• Facilitate regular consultations with authorities, communities, and other agencies to ensure responsiveness of Mercy Corps’ programs to context.
• Conduct regular field supervision visits to ensure team deliver quality activity implementation adhering to designs and Mercy Corps and sector minimum standards
• Leading and supporting coordinated implementation of MEL and CARM activities with other program activities

Proposal development and reporting

• Actively participate and mobilize teams to provide written inputs and conducting assessments required in the development of proposals
• Take leadership in the implementation of required consultations with authorities, communities, and other agencies as part of proposal development processes 
• Lead and coordinate the timely preparation and submission of quality reporting on program implementation
• Coordinate and follow-up with sector technical leads for timely submission of sector inputs to regular donor, cluster, government, and Mercy Corps reporting requirements
• Lead and coordinate timely and proper filing system of all program documentation in compliance with Mercy Corps documentation and filing standards

Team Management:

• Directly supervise the program team for quality implementation of program activities.
• Initiate, follow-up and coordinate all required recruitment of new team members and ensure on-boarding processes are timely implemented
• Provide and coordinate access to the resources required for the team to effectively implement program activities
• Lead in the timely implementation of the team member performance planning and constructive review processes as required by organizational policy
• Assess team member capacities and coordinate the development and implementation of capacity improvement plans for the team using both internal and external opportunities
• Coordinate with sector Advisors for timely delivery of support and capacity building to program teams.
• Facilitate the creation and sustenance of a work environment of mutual respect and accountability where team members strive to achieve excellence and identify and solve problems
• Regularly coordinate the inclusive participation of team members in country office consultations and regular meetings 
• Regularly organize office level coordination and support meetings between program teams and operations and finance 
• Provide leadership in ensuring team members are aware of and adhere to all Mercy Corps Yemen policies and procedures in Finance, Operations, human resources, and IT.
• Maintain effective and frequent regular communication with other Team Leaders, and departments

Coordination and Representation:

• Proactively lead in all required engagements with Governorate and district authorities related to negotiation and approval of agreements and permits and access to assessments and programmatic information
• Represent and coordinate with sector teams for the representation of Mercy Corps in all relevant Government and interagency coordination platforms at Governorate and district level including clusters and working groups.
• Organize and coordinate regular meetings with Governorate and district authorities to update on progress in implementation of activities and use feedback to adapt approaches and for future opportunities
• Conduct and coordinate team for regular meetings with other local and international NGOs operating in the Governorate and districts for coordination and partnership opportunities

Security:

• Ensure team members are aware of and adhere to Mercy Corps Yemen security policies and procedures 
• Lead in regular coordination processes with security team to ensure safety of communities and staff during implementation of activities
• Ensure program teams provides timely information or feedback regarding security situation in field sites

Organizational Learning:  Mercy Corps expects all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that enhance their professional development.

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:  

• Sector Coordinators in the respective area (Cash, WASH, Health and Nutrition,)
• Serves as the head of office coordinating programs, security, operations, HR, and finance.    

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:  Deputy Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Program Director, Security, Operations, HR, MEL, Sectors Specialists and Finance departments 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Advanced University degree in program management, economics and/or international development studies  
• Demonstrated 5 years hands-on field experience managing implementation of complex and complicated program and/or projects with time sensitive deliverables in unstable environments with an INGO 
• Experience managing programs supported by major donors including USAID, ECHO, FCDO. 
• Program Management Certified (PMD PRO) or willingness to be certified in the first six-months of role 
• Solid experience in budget management and report writing experience
• Demonstrated experience in proactive management of teams in timely delivery of program activities
• Very strong knowledge and confidence in spoken and written English
• Understanding the social, political, and economic context of the work location 
• Demonstrated attention to detail, adherence to procedures, ability to meet deadlines
• Good organizational skills and strong capability for functioning with minimum supervision
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural and diversified work environment.  

Success Factors 

The successful candidate will be conscientious with an excellent sense of judgment. She/he will have the ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks and a willingness and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people. They will have the ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel. Must have strong English skills, both oral and written.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Environmental Conditions

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Must be willing to travel throughout the country and be available for emergencies. 

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 PARTICIPANTS

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects