Program Manager Migration Project – Tunis

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.

Program / Department Summary

The program “Integration of Migration Issues at the Local Level in Tunisia” will be implemented by Mercy Corps in 4 pre-identified regions in Tunisia in collaboration with GRDR Migration-Citoyenneté-Développement under management of l’Agence Française de Développement. This exclusive partnership was built to capitalize on the stakeholder’s original and innovative expertise resulting from a series of pilot studies and actions conducted since 2012. Through Mercy Corps’ and GRDR’s experience, the action will focus on the migration-development nexus, through the implementation of activities targeting the impact from migration on development as well as the impact of development on migration.

The program’s global objective is to contribute to the development of efficient mechanisms addressing migration at the local level, through initiatives promoting socio-economic inclusion in migration affected areas. More specifically, it aims to facilitate the dialogue between all relevant stakeholders at the local level in order to integrate migration into territorial development planning as well as to support and reinforce the employability of young people by acting on their capacity for initiative, technical and financial support.

General Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the program’s overall objectives, 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 PM is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members in the regions of Grand Tunis, Kasserine, Jendouba and Medenine, 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 the implementing partner GRDR as well as AFD, local partners, beneficiaries and European Commission representatives, contributing to achievement of programs goals through innovation and program development and displaying expertise in the sectors of economic development and migration.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

● Provide overall leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of program development, implementation and management.

● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

● Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to program-wide strategy development.

● Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

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.

program Management

● Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff.

● Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.

● Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.

● Implement and model Mercy Corps’ philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps’ best practices.

● Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

● Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Influence & Representation

● Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.

● Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

● Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.

● Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

● Exhibit an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Security

● Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

● Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

1 expatriate project officer (GRDR), 1 national senior project officer, 3 national project officers

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Program, Mercy Corps Tunisia

Works Directly With: Finance assistant, Finance Manager, Operations Manager, Compliance Officer, MEL teams, HQ regional program teams, Senior Management (Mercy Corps and GRDR)

Knowledge and Experience

● Graduate degree or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant fields.

● 5 years of international relief and development program management experience.

● Preferably 1-3 years’ experience working in migration related projects.

● Preferably previous experience in Tunisia and/or North Africa.

● Established ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles.

● Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.

● Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.

● Experience with the development, implementation & compliance of EU funded programs.

● Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders.

● Experience working with host governments, national and international NGOs.

● Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.

● Excellent oral and written French and English skills required; proficiency in Arabic is a plus

● Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

● Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

Success Factors

The successful PM will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The Program Manager is based in Tunis, with frequent travels in-country. This location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Staff will have high access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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 MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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. 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.