Sahel Program Director - West & Central Africa Region

About the Position

Sahel Program Director - West & Central Africa Region

Mercy Corps is seeking a strategic and experienced Sahel Program Director for the West & Central Africa region. This role is pivotal in leading impactful programs and partnerships to drive transformational change in the region.

Responsibilities

Influence and Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps with regional and international stakeholders in the respective countries and in the region/Dakar as needed in close coordination with the Country/Program leads, Multi-Country Program leads, and the regional leadership team.
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local NGOs, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in close collaboration with Country Managers.
• In close coordination with the Country/Program Managers and the Regional leadership, identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, governments, and other stakeholders.
• Connect analysis and evidence from the field with advocacy efforts.

Business Development

• Drive Business Development Strategies in the Sahel and regionally with the support of the Regional/global Business Development leads, Technical and Award Management Teams, and actively support Country/Program Managers to prioritize proactive and evidence-based, participatory program designs.
• Ensure go-no-go decisions remain in line with agency priorities and the strategy.
• Develop strategic donor relationships in the Sahel toward funding the strategy and impact Mercy Corps wants to achieve in each country and at the regional level.
• Provide leadership and quality assurance on program design processes.
• Apply the agency’s best practices in proposal development efforts for institutional donors.

Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Support the development and operationalization of the countries’ strategies and operational plans, in close collaboration with Country and Program Managers.
• Develop new and innovative program approaches in line with the country and regional strategies based on needs and donors' trends.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the social, political, environmental, and economic context in all countries to inform program performance, relevance, and impact.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps strategy is understood and guides decision-making throughout implementation.

Program Leadership

• Oversee the management and implementation of country programs.
• Lead program review systems and processes that ensure the right information is available at the right time and at the right level for adaptive management and effective decision-making.
• Ensure programs meet donors and internal compliance.
• Ensure necessary tools are in place to provide sound program cycle management and that programs are delivered on scope, time, and budget. Assess areas of improvement and provide capacity strengthening accordingly.
• Create and maintain systems to ensure technical coherence and adherence to global and MC standards for program excellence.
• Ensure responsiveness and appropriate levels of in-person and remote support to all country programs, with regular visits to various countries and field offices, when possible.
• Ensure that learning from the field contributes to the development and implementation of compelling evidence-based products to support business development and advocacy initiatives.

Program Quality, Evidence & Learning

• With the support of the Regional Program Teams (Business Development, Award Management, and technical teams), support and guide the Program Managers and their program quality, evidence, and learning teams (e.g., MEL, CARM) in establishing systems, policies, and approaches necessary to ensure and demonstrate the quality of programs and incorporate learning into decision-making.
• Ensure that proper Monitoring and Evaluation tools in line with Mercy Corps guidelines and policies are effectively used by the programs teams.
• Ensure that all the programs team members have received training in line with their level of responsibility and receive technical support relevant to their programs.
• Ensure strong coordination and collaboration is happening between Regional Technical teams and field teams to provide expert advice and ensure technical consistency and soundness across programs.
• Promote an evidence-driven culture, contributing to the establishment of the countries’ evidence and learning priorities, in line with the regional Evidence and Learning Agenda.

Finance and Compliance Management

• Maintain a monthly system for budget oversight, analysis, decision-making, and proactive adaptation.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourage openness and communication in their team; encourage team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• BA/BS or equivalent in relevant field required, MA/MS preferred.
• Seven years of senior-level leadership and program management experience in large and complex programs including humanitarian, resilience, recovery, and development operations.
• Previous experiences working in the Sahel region.
• Good technical knowledge in some of Mercy Corps P2P’s outcome areas and other technical focus areas (Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunities, Energy, Peace & Good Governance, Resilience, Climate, Market Systems Development, Private Sector Engagement, etc…).
• Experience in humanitarian and development multi-country programs design and implementation in context of interconnected and rapidly evolving regional dynamics.
• Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian system, institutions, and donors, and of compliance requirements, accountability frameworks, and best practices.
• Prior experience with funding from USG, FCDO, ECHO, Dutch MFA and RVO, and other leading donors, including Cooperations, Foundations, and other private donors.
• Robust experience in developing, operationalizing, and implementing program strategies.
• Demonstrated expertise in representation and negotiation resulting in securing significant new opportunities for the organization.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGOs, NNGOs, and other stakeholders in complex environments.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
• Solid project management skills related to diverse and cross-functional teams.
• Experience of solving complex issues collegially, defining a clear way forward, and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a focus on results and impact.
• Excellent oral and written English and French skills required.

We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Full-time position
• Opportunity to work in Dakar, Senegal
• Professional growth and development opportunities

About the Company

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.

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.