Interim Deputy Regional Director for Programs - MENAE Mercy Corps

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Act as a key partner for the Regional Vice President to achieve an effective Regional Management Team, alongside the Deputy Regional Director, Operations, that is positioned to deliver programmatic and operational excellence to achieve significant impact and influence in the region.
• Provide strategic direction across the regional portfolio, supporting the development of compelling country-level strategies and annual implementation plans that integrate with a coherent regional strategy and are aligned with Mercy Corps Pathway to Possibility.
• Provide overall programmatic leadership and oversee program performance across the portfolio, in close partnership with the DRD-O. Ensure that all programs in the portfolio achieve the highest possible impact through a focus on strong technical quality, sound program management systems and practices, a focus on innovation, and strong systems for evidence and learning. Partner closely with global technical teams to ensure that programs receive effective technical and program management support for program design and delivery and proposal development.
• Work closely with the DRD-O to support effective program planning, budgeting and management.
• Support oversight and accountability for complex and flagship programs of comparatively large budgets, ambitious scopes, and high visibility, within the region and engage as a strategic leader so that implementers remain accountable to delivery. Play a leading role in managing complex programs in the region when necessary.
• Lead the development and execution of a Regional Evidence and Learning Agenda, working with regional and Global teams to establish regional research and learning priorities that advance evidence, learning, and influence objectives within the region and are connected to global strategic priorities, underpinned by our evidence-based commitment.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• In partnership with the Regional Vice President, motivate, empower, and guide teams towards excellence. Ensure a positive team culture and work environment. Fill in as needed for Regional Vice President and for field leadership. Directly supervise Country Directors as stipulated by the RVP.
• Supervise the Regional Awards Management Team (AMT) the AMT Team Lead and ensure that strong systems and processes are in place for the effective administration of donor awards. Ensure that teams across global support offices work together as a cohesive regional program support unit and collaborate closely with country teams to ensure effective grant administration.
• Supervise the shared Regional Technical, Evidence and Quality (TEQ) team along with the DRD-P Asia including the Regional TEQ Director and/or any additional technical or programmatic resources at regional level. Line management of regional programs as relevant.
• Supervise the Regional Crisis Analysis Team, including the regional Senior Crisis Analysis Manager.
• Supervise the Business Development Team, including the Regional Senior BD Advisor to ensure prepositioning and business development efforts are relying on effective systems to optimize fundraising capacity.
• Co-manage the Multi-Country Office (MCO) structure along with the DRD-Operations in MENAE including the management of the MCO Portfolio Director and other Complex Programs Directors or Chiefs of Party as needed within the MCO.
• Ensure that dual managed team members with either Asia DRD-P or Global Technical teams have a deep understanding of their roles and are connected to relevant stakeholders across the agency to inform and promote agency strategies and best practices.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews.
• In the event of a major disaster or emergency in the region, work directly with Mercy Corps Emergency Response Team to coordinate an appropriate and timely response.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & PORTFOLIO GROWTH

• Oversee Business Development functions in the region to ensure the submission of high-quality, strategically aligned proposals that lead to growth of the regional portfolio. This includes line management of regional Business Development team members, support to country offices with strategic positioning for new awards; and ensuring effective collaboration across teams for the submission of quality proposals.
• Support country and regional teams to identify, explore, and pursue funding opportunities that support regional and country strategy objectives.
• Oversee the development of concept notes, proposals, and other funding requests, ensuring quality submissions that maximize chances for success, including sourcing technical expertise and other resources to assist with proposal development.
• Position Mercy Corps for strategic funding opportunities that build on country and/or regional programmatic priorities
• Develop systems to understand regional Proposal Development metrics, including data analytics around win rates, analysis of monthly PRODEV BvAs, PRODEV ROIs, etc. and work with the regional team to analyze data and identify strategies to maximize the chances of success.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with global and regional donors and partners and engage with prospective donors to shape and influence their strategies and funding priorities, in alignment with the Regional Vice President s strategic vision.
• Develop and nurture strong external relationships and networks to support program success, including regional coordination platforms and advocacy bodies.
• Identify and pursue areas for thought leadership, including building connections with civil society leaders, government officials, donors, private sector partners, relevant diplomatic missions, academics and other stakeholders that center communities and people impacted by crisis and climate change. Work with the Regional Vice President to ensure that Mercy Corps evidence and learning agenda is aligned to regional influencing objectives.
• Serve as a respected representative for Mercy Corps in the region, promoting the organization s capabilities, expertise, innovation, strategic vision and values.