Team Leader, Liberia Women Empowerment Program

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.
Mercy Corps started operations in Liberia in 2002 in response to the humanitarian crisis brought on by the two Liberian civil wars which took place from 1989-1997and 1999-2003. Since then, Mercy Corps’ interventions have evolved based on the context and needs of Liberian people. Based on the changing needs, Mercy Corps Liberia has implemented programs in renewable energy, food security, agricultural livelihoods, financial inclusion, nutrition, water and sanitation, infrastructure, and in youth economic empowerment. Today, Mercy Corps remains one of the foremost development and humanitarian actors in Liberia with programming focused on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, market systems development, Maternal and Child Health, Education, especially empowering Liberia through improved school management and school health and nutrition, and Advocacy and good governance.
Programs / Department Summary
The Liberia Women Empowerment Program (LWEP) aims to improve social and livelihood services for women and girls in targeted communities, foster positive social norms, and strengthen the government’s capacity to advance women and girls’ empowerment through a “whole community.” approach targeting multiple actors and levels.
The LWEP Project will create a platform for the empowerment of women where policy dialogue happens, evidence of what works is produced and disseminated, and partnerships are strengthened. It is anticipated that this would be the first of several projects aimed at empowering women and the institutions that support their empowerment.
The project will be implemented in six counties: Gbarpolu, Rural Montserrado, Bomi, Rivercess, Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount counties. Within these counties, a total of 750 communities representing 267,000 people will be reached. Community selection will incorporate a randomized approach to enable a rigorous impact evaluation.

This role is contingent on funding.

General Position Summary
As Team Leader for LWEP, s/he is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the LWEP program including daily management of program activities and program staff, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The team leader should be able to develop and mentor team members and is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. S/he is responsible for managing relationships with local partners, beneficiaries, Save the Children and contributing to achievement of country goals through innovation and program development as well as regional experience to the team on the ground.
Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION
•Provide general support to the program team in shaping the strategic direction of the LWEP program, ensuring quality of program implementation.
•Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice.
•Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
•Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to overall program strategy.
•Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
•Actively work to create an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and respected regardless of their gender identity. Encourage diverse perspectives and ensure everyone has equal opportunities to contribute.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
•Ensure program implementation is on scope, time, target and budget, using effective systems to reach desired impacts.
•Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
•Ensure strong cooperation with and capacity building of national level government counterparts on the different aspects of the project.
•Lead development of program annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly work plans and submit in a quality and timely manner.
•Conduct field level activity planning with program coordinator and support timely project implementation in close collaboration with the Programs and technical advisors to ensure integrated and quality programming.
•Lead development of quality field level program narrative reports on a monthly, quarterly basis and LWEP Semi Annual Reports with clear analysis and information/data on planned activities, achievements, constraints and submit to the Director of Programs.
•Track all contractual deadlines for narrative, financial, projections as per sub award agreement.
•Ensure beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
•Integrate community accountability, gender sensitivity and child safeguarding approaches into all activities, leveraging the relevant Mercy Corps staff.
•Report all issues, beneficiary concerns and challenges through the established Mercy Corps Community Accountability Report Mechanism (CARM).

Oversee Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities including the preparation of tools, assessments, analysis, and reporting.
•Ensure program and MEAL staff collect necessary data required for project reporting.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
●Liaise and work with community women groups to ensure accountability and best use of project resources.
●Comply with the requirements of Mercy Corps Protection Policy to ensure maximum protection for project beneficiaries,
●Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
●Roll out Mercy Corps Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Procedures to stakeholders and beneficiaries during trainings and meetings.
●Comply with the requirements of Mercy Corps Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Procedures to ensure maximum safety and protection for children during program work and other related actions in communities.
●Report all incidents or breach of CSG policy and monthly updates.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
●Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective learning systems.
●Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely manner.
●Optimize and own shared tools, templates, trackers, contact databases, document repositories for effective team collaboration and knowledge sharing.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
●Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
●Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
●Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
●Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
●Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
●Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to financial transactions and programming.
●Review BVA on monthly basis, develop spending plan, procurement plan and share monthly projections for LWEP,
●Organize monthly BVA meeting within 3 days of receiving BVA (ensure spending plan is updated and all feedback is sent to finance prior to the BVA meeting)
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
● As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES
●Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.
●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.
Supervisory Responsibility
Program Coordinators

Accountability
Reports Directly to: Director of Programs
Works Directly with: Director of Programs, Operations, Finance, People and Culture Manager

Knowledge and Experience
●Master degree in social sciences, project management, international development, or a related field
●At least 15 years of relevant project management experience in World Bank funded projects or projects funded by international development agencies, with a particular focus on international aid and development across Africa.
●Excellent experience in training and capacity building activities for counties
●Excellent experience in training and capacity building activities for counties
●Ensure staff performance management and reporting.
●A project management credential, or commitment to gain certification within six months is required.
●Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.
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Excellent problem-solving skills, representation, skills, and ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff, including members of partner organizations.
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Must be willing to be based in Buchanan.
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Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and computer skills in Microsoft Office applications.
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Excellent oral and written skills.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate can integrate previous project management experience and knowledge into effective management within Mercy Corps systems. She/He will be a collaborative problem solver, who is able to work efficiently with different staff and stakeholders. They will have a demonstrated ability to work quickly, accurately, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.