PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Nepal as the prime organization has been implementing a five-year program - "Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihood" (PAHAL) funded by USAID. PAHAL seeks to strengthen livelihoods, improve nutritional status and increase the capacity of vulnerable households to mitigate, adapt to and recover from shocks and stresses in communities with deep poverty and high rates of malnutrition in critical zones of the Mid-Western and Far-Western Regions of Nepal. The goal of the PAHAL program is: Vulnerable populations in the middle and high hills of Far-Western and Mid-Western Nepal are food secure. The target area of the program covers 14 districts in the Mid-West and Far-West regions of Nepal. The Mid-West region comprises of 7 districts - Surkhet, Dailekh, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan, and Jajarkot, while the Far-West region comprises of 7 districts: Dadeldhura, Doti, Accham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, and Darchula districts.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Ecological Systems (Ecosystems) Senior Manager will report directly to the Chief of Party (CoP) and, together with the program’s Senior Management Team (SMT), help provide the overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the program. The Ecosystems Senior Manager will directly manage the component managers and resources under the Ecosystems unit, in addition to leading their existing responsibilities as a component manager, ensuring that activities within this unit are well integrated and coordinated at all levels. S/he will be expected to drive an innovative, integrated technical approach to program implementation that focuses on long-term change and sustained impact. In addition, together with the SMT, the Ecosystems Senior Manager will liaise and engage with government officials, implementing partners and other key stakeholders to ensure close coordination, collaboration and high visibility for the program. 

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and M&E are cross-cutting and core components of the PAHAL program, the Ecosystems Senior 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.

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Resilience Director, Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, M&E Manager, Resilience Program Coordinator, Finance & Compliance Manager, Sub-Award & Compliance Manager, Operations Manager, HR Team, Program Component Managers and, Mercy Corps Global Technical Support Unit (TSU) team members.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Master’s degree in international development, management, economic development or other relevant field
  
• Proven technical competence in one of PAHAL’s defined sectors, which include water infrastructure, Disaster Risk Reduction, Natural Resource Management or, earthquake preparedness
  
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior management role on USAID or similarly funded large development project with experience in program management related to multi-sectorial program activities strongly required
  
• A minimum of seven years’ experience in one of the technical sectors mentioned above
  
• Previous overseas experience on USAID or similarly funded large development projects
  
• Ability to clearly articulate impacts and benefits resulting from PAHAL’s integrated, resilience focused strategy
  
• Excellent spoken and written English and Nepali language skills and ability to interact effectively with international and national staff
  
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications
  
• Self-initiator and ability to work independently on several tasks with minimal supervision
  
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities
  
• 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
  
• Willingness to travel domestically across PAHAL districts as needed
  

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Ecosystems Senior Manager will combine exceptional management skills, technical expertise in an Ecosystems component, and experience in building and be maintaining partner relationships. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about improving food security, community development, and resilience. S/he will have experience managing and documenting integrated activities across sectors. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential.

The most successful Mercy Corps team 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 of 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 MCs policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.