This position is contingent on funding.
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has had a presence in Colombia since 2006. Mercy Corps works primarily in collaboration with local partners that target communities affected by the country’s long-running armed conflict. Our programs consist of both emergency assistance and socio-economic integration initiatives to improve the lives of displaced and marginalized populations, including landmine victims, victims of child labor and gender based violence. Mercy Corps’ programs cover 22 departments across the country and include the urban centers of Bogotá, Caribbean coastal areas including Cartagena and Barranquilla, and the departments of Nariño, Putumayo, and Chocó. In these areas, we are helping local organizations enable families to establish themselves, achieve stable livelihoods, peacefully resolve land conflict, and live with dignity outside the armed conflict. Building off strong linkages to local government, the Colombia program is currently looking to expand its work to address the political, economic, governance and cultural needs of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Deputy Chief of Party (D- COP) is a senior management position responsible for the day-to-day management of an anticipated Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Program funded by USAID for $61.4 million dollars over five years, and ensuring that matching resources are obtained and appropriately utilized. The D-COP has supervisory and managerial responsibility for field staff associated to the program and will work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration and program) in Bogotá and field sites to ensure the day to day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality. The D-COP will also support the Chief of Party (COP) in coordinating with any sub-grantees to ensure that targets for their portion of program activities are met. The D-COP will have direct supervisory responsibility for the effective operational and financial aspects of the program as well as overseeing the sub-granting and sub-contracting mechanisms. The D-COP will work with the COP to outline a strategic plan for the implementation of the program including identifying target areas/projects, methods of operation for effective programming and maximum results.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Ensures that program complies with USAID rules, regulations and financial standards.
- Assist Chief of Party in the development of annual workplans, and help oversee monitoring and evaluation activities, internal and external reports.
- Manage field operations related to the program according to the work plan, program documents and implementation strategy. Troubleshoot, as needed, to prevent disruptions in daily program activities.
- Build the program staff ensuring that there are fluent communication channels and that the reporting schedule is met on time and that program objectives are achieved.
- Work closely with and support the Chief of Party, and assume responsibilities in his/her absence.
- Provide direct and continuous supervision to managerial and operational support staff on the program.
- Manages sub-grant process and relationships with sub-grantees.
- Facilitate local and national campaigns for cultural identity and the appreciation of diversity in collaboration with program partners.
- Work with the Chief of Party and Financial Manager on forecasting expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the program in a timely fashion.
- Lead the development of written reports on the program activities capturing impacts related to all activities.
- Ensure that all work follows international quality standards and best practices and that all activities are technically and environmentally sound.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
- Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.
Accountability: 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.
Organizational Learning
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
The D-COP is responsible for supervising the Operations Manager and Grants Manager.
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party (COP)
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance Manager and Grant Manager
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA/S or equivalent in social sciences, economic development, international development or related field.
- At least 7 years of relevant experience focused in the management of development programs.
- At least 4 years of senior management experience; Previous D-COP experience strongly preferred.
- Experience in program management related to afro-descendent and indigenous communities is strongly preferred.
- Experience working on USAID funded programs is a requirement.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience managing operations and program implementation of large teams required.
- Ability to effectively coordinate with local authorities to ensure that there are synergies built with the development priorities of the Government of Colombia.
- Fluency in both Spanish and English.
- Experience working in Latin America, particularly the Andes region and Colombia, is preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful D-COP will be familiar with the opportunities and challenges of programming for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, with a strong combination of team leadership, grant management and reporting, and donor and government communication skills. He/she will have familiarity with the methodologies of policy advocacy, economic development, territorial and local governance and/or cultural identity and diversity policies. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving the participation of, and increasing opportunities for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities. A successful D-COP will complete activities in a timely manner in accordance with Mercy Corps and donor procedures and guidelines.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This is an accompanied post. The position is based in Bogotá with extensive traveling in Colombia. Bogotá is a pleasant, modern city and security is relatively good. Bogotá hosts excellent schools and universities. The city has all the modern amenities and an efficient mass transportation system as well as plentiful and safe taxis. At 2,800 meters, the weather in Bogotá may be classified as “high altitude”, with a mean temperature of 59° F. There are two distinct rainy seasons (May-July & Oct-Dec) though it can rain on any given day of the year. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in 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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
How to apply
Apply online at our website:http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217381&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479
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