CIPP Program Manager at 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: CIPP Program Manager

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/0003/2021
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Position Status: Full-time, Regular

Program / Department Summary

• The Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) is a 60-month Cooperative Agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• It is implemented by Mercy Corps, in partnership with Pastoral Resolve – PARE, Interfaith Mediation Centre – IMC, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development-SCDDD, and African Radio Drama Association – ARDA CIPP aims to: Promote peaceful coexistence and collaboration in Nigeria by mitigating violent conflict in at-risk communities in six states of Nigeria’s North West (Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina States) and North Central (Kogi, Benue and Plateau States) through an integrated, multifaceted program that:
  • Empowers communities to prevent and respond to violence and violent extremism by strengthening key skills and relationships, and
  • Fosters an enabling environment for peace through policy advocacy, media outreach, and linkages to development programs.

General Position Summary

• The Program Manager is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) program including daily management of program activities and program staff, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results.
• The PM is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members in Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Benue, Abuja, Plateau and Kogi and is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives.
• S/he is responsible for managing relationships with local partners, beneficiaries and government representatives, contributing to the achievement of program goals through innovation and program development and displaying expertise in peacebuilding, policy and media sectors as well as regional experience to the team on the ground.

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 country-wide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Team Management:

• Develop the capacity of program officers, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach the objective
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• In collaboration with the CoP and DCoP, hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Program Management:

• Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff.
• Ensure CIPP implementation in field sites is on time, target and budget, working closely with M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources by program officers for timely and informative reporting in line with USAID and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Prepare and share with the team, detailed quarterly and monthly program implementation plans
• In collaboration with the communications officer, ensure timely submission of program weekly reports to USAID.
• Work closely with the chief of party in preparing the quarterly reports.
• Implement and model Mercy Corps’ philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps’ best practices.
• Manage and fulfil Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards (PM@MC) based on the organization-wide guide Ensuring the CIPP PM@MC file is up to date.
• ·Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Plan and implement the CIPP quarterly program review meetings

Influence & 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.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Exhibit an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

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 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: Program Officers
Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: The Deputy Chief of Party
• Works Directly With: Relevant field-based teams, country Finance and operations teams

Knowledge and Experience

• BA / BS or equivalent in Conflict Studies, Social Sciences or other relevant fields; MA/S preferred.
• Five (5) years of international relief and development program management experience, in peacebuilding and conflicts
• Established ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.
• Experience with the development, implementation & compliance of (donors) & (corporate/private) funded programs.
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders.
• Experience working with host governments, national and international NGOs.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Haus is an added advantage
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous experience in insecure environments.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

Success Factors

• The successful PM will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining staff morale and partner relationships.
• S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative peacebuilding programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps Nigeria.
• S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem-solving, ability to seize opportunities, 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.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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.
• Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision.
• Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Application Closing Date
30th April, 2021