Program Manager for the Water for Peace: Climate Resilient and Peaceful Communities (W4P) Program

Information

Common information

Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. Our mission: to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. In more than 40+ countries around the world, over 5,400+ team members work side by side with people living through poverty, disaster, violent conflict, and the acute impacts of climate change. In 1994 Mercy Corps became one of the first international non-governmental organizations to work in the newly independent Kyrgyzstan. Mercy Corps Kyrgyzstan attracted resources from more than 30 donor organizations, including the US, EU, UK governments, UN, private and corporate foundations, in the past 30 years to improve literacy and child nutrition, create access to clean drinking water, organize school orchards, provide emergency relief, address climate change, and build peace. Mercy Corps strategy for 2024-27 in Kyrgyzstan aims at enhancing access to food, water, and natural resources, while improving governance and conflict management capacity in vulnerable rural areas for resilient and inclusive communities.

Program Summary

The Water for Peace: Climate Resilient and Peaceful Communities (W4P) Program, funded by PATRIP foundation,   contributes to the stabilization and/or prevention of extremist violence by improving irrigation and domestic water supply in communities of the Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan border. The W4P program includes construction and rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure, implementation of infrastructure-related training measures, including conflict prevention, cooperation between state and civic actors and regional integration. Infrastructure upgrade and rehabilitation projects will focus on community water supply systems and small-scale on-farm irrigation infrastructure aimed at improving water use efficiency. The W4P program works with community-based groups and local governments to build their capacity to      effectively implement projects to recognize and mitigate climate change and conflict risks, and actively inform and engage community members in equitable and sustainable water management.    .      

General Position Summary

Program Manager is overall responsible for the W4P program management, works closely with senior management team (including Country Director, Director of Programs, Regional Program Manager, MEL Manager) and support teams (including finance, P&L, HR) to ensure the day-to-day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality. Program Manager will outline a strategic plan for the program implementation including identifying target areas/projects, methods of operation for effective programming and maximum results. Acts as a Security Focal Point for Batken Region.

Qualification requirements

• University Degree in the relevant field    
• 6 years progressive work experience in grant/contract administration and minimum 3 years of team management experience, preferably in international organizations and grant programs.    
• Experience in program design and management, development and delivery of training, workshops and presentations.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to think creatively in terms of program vision and planning, and problem-solving
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders, including local/regional officials, NGOs, and communities.     .
• Experience on monitoring and evaluation of program implementation. Excellent skills of working with databases and interpreting data.
• Strong interpersonal skills, an ability to work well with a wide variety of people in a team setting.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.    
• Highly computer literate with proficiency in MS Office and related business and communication tools.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Written and verbal Kyrgyz, Russian, English.

Duties

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Ensure that program fits into the country strategy, and provide input into the strategic plan. Overall responsible for obtaining any permissions or reporting of the program activities required by the government.
• Lead initiatives to foster partnerships, advocate for MCKG’s mission, and secure essential resources to enhance the impact of community development programs
• Manage all operations related to the program according to the work plan, project document and implementation strategy. Troubleshoot, as needed, to prevent disruptions in daily program activities. 
• In close collaboration with the Director of Programs, build the program team and process ensuring that there are fluent communication channels, that the reporting schedule is timely met and that program objectives are achieved.
• Coordinate and share information with the Director of Programs to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are being achieved. Troubleshoot and advise on reporting and programmatic needs.
• Provide technical assistance, design and conduct training in any areas related to the program activities for staff, partners, communities and project beneficiaries, and work with training providers to ensure quality training.
• Ensure that all work follows international and MC quality standards and best practices, policies and standard operations procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with the donor Environment and Social Policy, develop respective Generic Environment and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and identify necessary occupational safety and health measures to adopt as part of the ESMP development and implementation.
• In close collaboration with MEL Manager establish a monitoring and evaluation system for the program to ensure regular data collection, monitoring, and evaluation of the program results. Support baseline and endline evaluations and other research and learning activities.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to project sites to verify the quality of goods and services provided by suppliers, document success stories, and capture lessons learned.
• Produce regular written reports on the program activities in the format provided by the Director of Programs as well as donor required reports and updates.
• Oversee the program filing system for all program related activities and ensure that information is organized according to the reporting and auditing needs of MC and donor. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
• Coordinate closely with the Regional Program Manager, Human Resources Manager, and relevant administrative and finance staff to ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the program are conducted within MC and donor policies and with the maximum benefit to the program.
• Work with the CD, Director of Programs and Finance Director to forecast expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the program in a timely fashion.
• Ensure sub-awards are managed in accordance with the MC and donor policies, including budget development, financial and programmatic reporting, filing, amendments, etc.
• Ensure comprehensive partner files maintenance, and effective implementation and documentation throughout the sub-award lifecycle.
• Identify and address issues in sub-recipient projects, providing actionable recommendations and preparing progress reports and audits to ensure accountability.
• Work with the Operations Director and procurement team to develop and track procurement plans, ensure and document donor approvals, and compliance with the donor paperwork requirements.
• As security permits, spend a minimum of two weeks a month at the field sites monitoring program implementation and overseeing all program activities.
• Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary.
• Ensure collection of field reports and success stories and the timely retention and archiving of project documents;
• Ensuring recording of appropriate equipment and goods at the chart of accounts of the local district authorities;
• If needed, initiating modifications to existing agreements to assure successful project implementation and/or memorialize new meet administrative requirements;
• Organizing the project close-out meetings and support the partners in the closing process, ensuring that all requirements are met.
• Ensure the program has active community feedback channels and that proper CARM procedures are followed
• Promote GEDSI efforts of Mercy Corps, ensure that MC GEDSI standards are incorporated into all program activities.
• Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate it into the work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to the program.
• Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourage openness and communication in the team; encourage team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

REPRESENTATION

• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, village councils and local government in the target area. Travel regularly to target communities for program meetings and events.
• Guide community mobilization to engage communities in the design, implementation and maintenance of projects as well as design viable GEDSI strategies to effectively engage women and youth in the activities of the program.
• Ensure close coordination with relevant government institutions at the regional, district and local level.
•  Actively represent MCKG in strategic coordination meetings with local and international NGOs, ensuring collaboration and alignment in delivering support to local communities in Batken Oblast.
• Coordinate with and stay informed on Kyrgyzstan-wide cross-cutting issues relevant to the program including other food security, water security and governance programming.
• Map stakeholders and develop stakeholder engagement plan and ensure close coordination of development efforts with other programs and development partners.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

SECURITY      

• Act as a Security Focal Point in Batken Region of KR in close coordination with Country level SFPs and CD and maintain minimum standards for Safety and Security.
• Lead on Security Risk Assessments in Batken including border areas and security management planning.
• Oversee security monitoring and incident reporting functions in the area and advise the Risk Management Committee.
• Ensure training/orientation on and compliance with security procedures and policies in Batken Region.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies

Conditions

Success Factors

High level of personal integrity, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to coordinate and lead team members, ability to analyze and propose solutions to problems, ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment, ability to deal with ambiguity and change.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Batken, Kyrgyzstan and requires traveling to the field, which may include travel to insecure locations.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

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.

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.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Interested candidates are invited to apply through the below link and submit their CV, cover letter and contacts of at least 3 referees for reference check.

Apply for W4P Program Manager Position

The deadline for submission is October 7, 2024.