The Deputy program Manager (DPM) will support the program Manager (PM) to provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision of the STEM program by maintaining day-to-day oversight of field activities, supervising STEM’s Dhangadhi-based Mercy Corps Senior program Officers and M&E team, liaising with field level implementation partners, and ensuring resources are disbursed and activities are carried out so that STEM meets performance-based targets on-time, within budget as per DFID requirements and represents strong Value for Money (VfM). S/he will share project representation at the field level with the program Manager, ensure field accountability to Mercy Corps policies, donor rules and regulations, and lead efforts to formalise relationships with STEM stakeholders and key government agencies through meetings, agreements and the formation of committees where required.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and M&E are cross-cutting components of all Mercy Corps program(s), the Deputy Program Manager is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and M&E systems are integrated into his/her work area.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Program Manager includes, but are not limited to, the following:

Program Implementation:

• Provide oversight of the day-to-day implementation of STEM activities at the field level, ensuring partner and Mercy Corps Project Officers are adhering to the work plan agreed with the PM and performing at the expected quality.
• Ensure STEM implementation is responsive to marginalized girls, their families, their communities, secondary schools and implementation partners and aligns with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.
• Oversee the spending on activity level budget in consultation with the PM, and also ensuring collaboratively at the management level that program funds are spent efficiently and maximized so that activity milestones are met as per the work plan, with Value for Money principles in mind.
• Support the PM to oversee the performance of the sub-grantees (implementing partners) and public, private and civil society partners following up report submission as necessary and feeding up field-based concerns to the PM where they may exist.
• Support the PM to monitor adherence to the grant agreement, Mercy Corps and DFID policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.
• Conduct frequent field visits to all program sites in Kailali district of Nepal and relay relevant issues and successes to the PM to inform the strategic vision of the program.
• Backstop the PM in ensuring that the program is in line with government education policies and advocate the program activities to the government and the community to make it sustainable.
• Support the PM to fundraise from private sector partners for program co-financing.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to local partner staff, MC staff and community stakeholders on the implementation of the GEC activities (participate and contribute to training activities, etc).
• Draft/ assist with drafting MoUs, contracts and other such agreements for the project, liaising with legal advisors and Mercy Corps Operations and Finance staff where required to ensure that the implementation complies with local norms and mandatory government requirements.
• Support the PM in the selection of external agencies and partners for the project.
• Engage all SPOs, M&E staff and partner staff to ensure coordination within the program components, with the partner organization and the stakeholders to uphold program quality.
• Ensure weekly sharing events and monthly meetings are conducted within the MCN STEM II team, and quarterly meeting with the implementing partner, GTF SACCOs, and other extended partners.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:

• Ensure coordination between MCN M&E team and Implementing partner program
• Ensure upward and downward dataflow based on STEM’s data flow system.
• Ensure data and program information is shared between the program and M&E team
• Support the PM and M&E Manager in the production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner.
• Support the M&E Manager to ensure that program data is used for learning by holding and leading quarterly meetings with all program partners.
• Prepare monthly work-plans and field visit plans of the MCN STEM II team that adhere to GEC program objectives and activities, and assist local partner staff in doing the same.
• Monitor GEC field activities regularly (both activities and spot checks) and provide comments/suggestions to the local partner staff on how the efficiency and effectiveness of the activities and budget use can be enhanced.
• Review the monthly progress reports received from the local partner staff and provide feedback/ suggestions either independently or in conjunction with the PM.
• Ensure timely activity reporting by the program team, and information on the quarterly activities are regularly updated on the cloud.
• Coordinate closely with the M&E Manager in developing M&E tools and systems (ensuring field fit and quality) and in gathering data from field staff to contribute to high quality donor reports, effective program management and the production of technical and branding materials in support of the PM.
• Provide logistic support to STEM II’s external evaluation partner in conducting evaluation.

Representation and Coordination:

• Backstop the PM as a representative of Mercy Corps and STEM II at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events at the field level.
• Act as the focal point for day-to-day liaison and coordination with implementation partners and local government offices/ officials to assist the PM in the efficient execution of the program, seeking advice and support from other Mercy Corps programs to capitalize on pre-existing agency knowledge for the same end.

Program Support Operations and Team Management:

• Coordinate with program, finance and administration/logistics staff in Kailali to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources, in support of the PM.
• Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels, proactively seeking out capacity building opportunities and engaging in the career development of program staff.
• Implement and ensure all team members, including partners, are effectively using the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Others:

• Ensure proper integration of GESI aspects into sector specific program planning and implementation working closely with GESI officers.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor and or Country Director.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGS: 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.

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: N/A

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Manager, M&E Manager, Mercy Corps Support Functions Team and partners (local NGOs, private sector, government bodies).

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Program Manager, Position Description; National Staff Policy Handbook; Code of conduct and Mercy Corps policy and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Development Studies, Economics, or any other relevant fields. Master’s
• Degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant professional experience implementing development or education programs, preferably in Nepal’s Terai region.
• Experience in budget management and reporting required.
• Experience in designing or managing programs with multiple stakeholders (including related government line agencies) involved in the implementation
• Familiarity with gender mainstreaming and education programs
• Awareness on the particular needs and related program considerations for vulnerable and marginalized girls
• Strong Monitoring and Evaluation skills
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills
• Strong team building and staff handling skills
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful Deputy Program Manager would be able to lead, manage interventions of the STEM program by overseeing day-to-day oversight of field activities. S/he should be able to manage and or advice field based team member and provide any support as required. S/he should also be able to manage budget and produce efficient report. The Deputy Program Manager will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills with exceptional diplomatic skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as 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.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit cover letter and Mercy Corps Application Form available at http://nepal.mercycorps.org by COB May 14, 2017 to the address below:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.
Attn: Human Resources Department
[Please mention the title of the Position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying]
Email to: [email protected]