Chief Of Party (COP) - Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)

The Chief of Party will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of a multi-year USAID Resilience Food Security Activity. They will manage staff, resources and partnerships to ensure that the Activity meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The COP will supervise Activity staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations. They will be the primary representative for donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders for this Activity.

Requirements

• MA/S or equivalent experience in development studies, international relations, agriculture, nutrition, public health, business administration or other relevant field.
  
• At least 7 years of relevant international development experience (10 years+ with a Bachelor’s degree) with positions of progressively greater responsibilities, at least five years of which must be based in country programs.
  
• At least five years in a senior management role is required with experience managing integrated, multi-sectoral programs of a similar size and scope in developing countries facing complex, volatile, and uncertain contexts.
  
• Prior experience managing USAID development or resilience Activity(ies).
  
• Proven success serving in a leadership role for a project addressing issues related to food security, nutrition, resilience, graduation approach, market system development, agriculture, natural resource management, livelihoods, or similar, preferably in Uganda.
  
• Must demonstrate expertise in food, nutrition and economic security (FNES).
  
• Understand and demonstrate commitment to the importance of gender and youth dynamics in FNES programming.
  
• Demonstrated experience in adaptive management and learning techniques is highly encouraged.
  
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
  
• Experience managing program implementation financial reporting, reporting procedures and systems, and staff.
  
• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, retaining, and developing program staff.
  
• Experience with USAID and U.S. Government regulations preferred.
  
• Prior humanitarian and/or development experience working in Uganda preferred. Familiarity with Uganda’s social, political, economic and cultural landscape.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
  
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
  

Strategy & Vision

• Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of Activity implementation, development and management. Ensure that Activity implementation is responsive to communities, and aligned with Mercy Corps’ principles, values and strategic plan.
  
• Outline and maintain a strategic plan for the implementation of program activities, including finalizing target areas/interventions, methods of operation and means of evaluation.
  
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action, create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed and foster a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace.
  

Program Management

• Oversee Activity start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various country locations.
  
• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work-plans, and ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts.
  
• Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and sub-grantees.
  
• Document processes and achievements to ensure impact and best practices are captured and disseminated. This will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting Activity adjustments in keeping with new insights.
  
• Create and follow effective stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring sound and proactive communications with Mercy Corps Uganda, headquarters, USAID, Government of Ugandan authorities, partner organizations and colleague agencies.
  
• Ensure integration of community approaches, gender and social inclusion sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
  
• Reinforce a culture of reflection and learning based on programmatic data.
  

Human Resources, Safeguarding and Diversity

• Support Mercy Corps’ global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development.
  
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
  
• Manage and help with the recruitment, orientation, professional development, and ongoing training of staff to ensure they are of the quality and technical capacity necessary to ensure the successful implementation of activities.
  
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
  

Finance, Compliance & Risk Management

• In collaboration with the country program’s operations and finance departments, ensure proper financial management, procurement, administration, human resources and logistics needs of the Activity are conducted within Mercy Corps’ policy and with the maximum benefit to the RFSA.
  
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations, including those of the Government of Uganda.
  
• Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events.
  

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director and Director of Programs.
  
• Ensure close coordination and information sharing with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
  
• Establish and maintain relationships with communities, partners and local government.
  

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
  
• Ensure that the Activity is implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
  

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work. ·
  
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members. ·
  
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.