Area Manager (National position)

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

Mercy Corps’ Ukraine crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Ukrainians and other conflict-affected people where they are: displaced inside Ukraine, refugees in Poland, Romania and Moldova, or trapped behind frontlines. We aim to reach 500,000 vulnerable people with multi-purpose cash assistance, in-kind humanitarian support, and protection services across four countries. Almost all of our impact will be delivered in partnership: with Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian and Moldovan civil society organizations through a granting program that matches humanitarian action with capacity strengthening, and with peer international NGOs through a consortium in Ukraine. Mercy Corps is responding to the Ukraine crisis with large-scale consortium programming with a focus on Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA). The Consortium is a partnership between four international humanitarian aid agencies to model and deliver innovative, effective cash and other humanitarian assistance programs to support people affected by the Ukraine crisis within Ukraine.

General Position Summary

The Area Manager oversees both programs and operations in their area of responsibility (AoR). The Area Manager ensures that appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The incumbent sets the strategic approach for activities in their AoR, within the broader Response programmatic framework. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of program management, program representation, security management, and team management and coordination in their AoR, mobilizing internal and external resources to ensure quality, timely and effective programs are implemented in support of the most vulnerable and conflict affected populations. In addition to supporting existing programs, the Area Manager works with Response leadership to design new or additive interventions to address priorities needs in their AoR. Overseeing the Operations Manager or Office Manager (title may vary by location), as well as with the Response Operations Department, the Area Manager ensures strong coordination between Programs and Operations, and ensures the smooth and efficient functioning of procurement, logistics, administration, fleet, and other support functions in their AoR. The Area Manager ensures that the teams they oversee work in a constructive and collegial manner towards shared goals.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Set or contribute to a clear program operational vision for the Response in their AoR, working closely with Response leadership.
• Monitor needs and gaps, provide recommendations for actions.
• Liaise with Government of Ukraine stakeholders to understand evolving needs, and the changing context, and to ensure constructive working relationships.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives. Synthesize clear and timebound work plans for the AoR, and ensure that tasks within these work plans are achieved.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Lead program team members based in the AoR, working closely with thematic program management and program leadership at the Response level.
• Ensure the development of workplans in accordance with the proposal document and take lead in coordinating the implementation of the program interventions.
• Facilitate smooth coordination of all program partners and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee program startup, partnership management, and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Integrate the use of community approaches in the design, implementation, and maintenance of projects and programs, working with thematic program management and leadership at the Response level.
• Ensure program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Working with the Response Programs Department, create and oversee quality control measures to ensure the effectiveness of interventions.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary.
• Ensure team members improve performance & reach objectives.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and cultivate resilience and well-being under challenging situations.
• Contribute to AoR team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Link team members to training, mentoring, guidance, and resources as needed to perform their roles.

OVERSIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO PROGRAM SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

• Provide day to day supervision of the Operations Manager or Office Manager in the AoR, who will receive thematic and technical supervision from the Response Operations Department.
• Recognize the high level of donor scrutiny imposed on programming and ensure continuing effective, transparent, and responsive compliance mechanisms are in place.
• Ensure that procurement is functioning well and in support of program plans and objectives, while adhering to compliance procedures.
• Ensure that fleet management is operating efficiently, safely, and is planned and coordinated proactively to meet programmatic and operational needs.
• Coordinate with safety and security team members to ensure that all team members based in, or visiting, the AoR are following security protocols and adjusting to the changing context.
• Work with Programs and Finance & Compliance to understand budget allocations for the AoR and to ensure that these are planned and spent appropriately.

LIAISON & REPRESENTATION AT FIELD LEVEL

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and represent Mercy Corps in the different fora with relevant government and local authorities, partners, NGOs and UN agencies.
• Identify strategic partnerships and opportunities for current and future Mercy Corps activities.
• Establish and maintain strong mechanisms for communication and information flows among field team and between the field office and the head office.

Knowledge and Experience

• 5-7 years of field experience in relief and development programs required; experience in managing programs in active conflict zones, transitional environments and working in insecure emergency situations is preferred
• A good sense of order and organization is a must
• Effective communication skills: able to work in person and remotely with geographically dispersed and culturally distinct teams
• Experience designing practical and effective monitoring systems, including data and database management systems.
• BA/BS or equivalent in the relevant field; MA/S preferred.
• A foundational understanding of donor regulations and compliance (USAID, ECHO, DFID, UN, etc.)
• Excellent oral and written Ukrainian and English skills required; proficiency in Russian is desirable.

Success Factors

The successful Area Manager will skillfully represent programmatic priorities to stakeholders in the AoR while providing effective leadership to Mercy Corps’ AoR-based team. They will be capable of multitasking and rapid decision-making, and will demonstrate initiative, drive, mentorship, and emotional intelligence. They will understand the importance of setting and meeting ambitious deadlines that are commensurate with humanitarian response timelines. They will be committed to the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level, working with and supporting front-line local actors.

Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

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.

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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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.