Programs, Organizational Development and Quality Senior Advisor

Programs, Organizational Development and Quality Senior Advisor

Requisition Number: PROGR005225

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 began operations in Nepal in 2005, and since then has implemented projects in the sectors of agriculture, food security and nutrition, financial services, youth engagement, and disaster risk reduction (DRR)/ climate change adaptation (CCA) through the lens of gender equity and social inclusion. To date, Mercy Corps’ programming in Nepal has reached over 1.005,319 people across 23 districts. Mercy Corps Nepal works to build the absorptive, adaptive and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal through systems-based approaches to market development, financial services, DRR, CCA, emergency response and youth engagement implemented in partnership with local government, private sector and civil society actors.

Program / Position Summary

The Programs, Organizational Development, and Quality Senior Advisor (PODQSA) is a partner-facing role responsible for implementing a comprehensive capacity-strengthening component for national actors within the USAID-funded Localization Support Contract in Nepal. The purpose of this program is to provide technical, logistical, and advisory services to USAID/Nepal and its Nepali implementing partners, supporting the Mission’s increasing localization programming. The services will cover the pre-award phase, design phase, and award implementation phase, aiming to strengthen the long-term sustainability of these organizations.

The PODQSA is a critical position for the EnCompass-led USAID Localization Support Contract, working closely with the Local Capacity Support Director (LCSD) as a key advisor for strengthening institutional governance, programs management and quality related to strengthening the capacity of national organizations and partner NGOs. The PODQSA will build and maintain strong working relationships with other advisors/specialists, all consortium members, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration. S/he will play an integral role in inclusive and effective program development and implementation, organizational development, and overall quality assurance of the program component. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, able to work innovatively and inject new ideas, and be committed to gender and social diversity.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Technical Leadership, Management and Learning

• Develop and execute a strategy to enhance the capabilities of local organizations in line with their goals.
• Conduct a needs assessment to identify the specific development and capacity needs of national partner organizations (such as applying Mercy Corps’ ASPIRE methodology, USAID NUPAS) in collaboration with relevant team members.
• Provide technical and facilitation support to create and deliver training programs on various topics related to organizational governance, programs and M&E identified through assessment.
• Provide technical support to local partners in work planning, monitoring and evaluation, and USAID processes.
• Offer support to local organizations on program implementation and quality delivery.
• Create and maintain a library of training materials, tools, and best practices for national partner capacity strengthening in organizational governance, program management and quality.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of local capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices with the relevant stakeholders and partners.
• Collaborate with operations, finance, and administrative teams to ensure compliance with donor, Activity policies and procedures, and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Assist in hiring and managing technical consultants.
• Build and manage partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Coordinate and collaborate with USAID Localization Activity consortium members and other project sub-recipients to ensure the smooth implementation of related activities within budget, on time, and within scope.
• Work with relevant government and other stakeholders to promote USAID’s localization agenda.
• Identify and engage consultants and training service providers for programs, organizational development, and quality based on program needs.
• Engage with the provincial USAID Localization Activity team, national partners, and other relevant stakeholders to effectively deliver related activities.
• With the support of LCSD, liaise with NGO federation and Social Welfare Council to create a learning platform. Facilitate conversations to minimize gaps between NGOs and the government and facilitate to create a sense of ownership and trust between the government and NGOs/CSOs.
• Liaise with other relevant advisors/specialists and components to establish linkages with the government and other national actors relevant to the project.
• Represent USAID Localization Activity and Mercy Corps when needed.
• Facilitate partnerships and collaborations between the organizations and national stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.

Security

• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by the Activity leadership team and Mercy Corps country leadership.

Accountability to Program Participants

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants 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

• None

Reporting

• Reports Directly to: Local Capacity Support Director
• Works Directly with: USAID Localization Support Implementation Team, Mercy Corps Country Teams, Project/Program Managers, Finance & Compliance Manager, Human Resources, Head of Operations, and with peer agencies within Nepal.

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S or equivalent experience in international development, management, public administration or other relevant field.
• At least 7-10 years of relevant professional experience with positions of progressively greater responsibilities.
• At least 5 years in designing and implementing local actors’ organizational development and capacity strengthening programs.
• Proven experience in working with national organizations in developing countries.
• Strong understanding of national organizations/NGOs capacity development methodologies and best practices.
• History of working effectively and respectfully with national government, L/INGOs, contractors and other partners.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Experience working at national level required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Nepali.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
• The ability to travel domestically and internationally may be required.

Success Factors

The successful Programs, Organizational Development and Quality Senior Advisor (PODQSA) will combine exceptional program management, institutional development, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) skills and experience and maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about improving the quality and impact of programs. The PODQSA will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity strengthening, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Multi- tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as 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 position will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu is a culturally dynamic capitol city that can provide a comfortable, safe living environment with access to amenities, although a sense of patience with routine (and extended) power cuts, water shortages, air/ noise pollution, and traffic is required. Approximately 50% travel may be required to field locations, depending on COVID restrictions, some of which are easily accessible but others of which are quite remote and require hiking, so the incumbent should be in decent physical shape so as to access all activity sites. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Travel Required

Yes. Frequent travel to Provinces/Districts