PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Chief of Party (COP) will lead the implementation of a proposed three-year $10-12 million program that supports USAID?s strategic objective to provide basic education and water services while supporting government institutions and community groups. The program will encompass five activity areas: 1)Schools Rehabilitated and Constructed; 2) Water and Sanitation Facilities Improved; 3)Improving Teaching and Learning; 4)Support School Education Committees, and 5)Strengthen Somali capacities to improve education, water and sanitation services. Please note that this position is contingent on receipt of new program funding.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The COP will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the Somalia Education and Water (SEW) program, managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on time and within budget. The COP will supervise key program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and U.S. government rules and regulations. He/she will be the primary program representative to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Implementation: Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of program implementation, development and management. Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan. Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations. Oversee performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees. Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting: Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective M&E systems. Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner. Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.

Coordination and Representation: Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director. Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building: Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels. Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback. Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same. Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Program Support Operations: Coordinate with program and finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources. Propose design of new local policies as needed and in accordance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

Security: Work closely with the country team?s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work. Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.

New Initiatives: In coordination with the Country Director, Regional Program Director, HQ Program Operations team and other relevant personnel and counterparts, play an active role in identifying new initiatives that foster and/ or improve the strategic objectives of the country office, whether utilizing existing resources or requiring program/ project development.

Organizational Learning
As part of Mercy Corps? agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Direct supervision of: Education Advisor, Program Manager(s), M&E Manager, Finance and Administration Manager,

ACCOUNTABILITY:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other program managers in-country, HQ Program Operations Team members, Technical Support Unit team members

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field.
- Five to seven years of overseas experience including three years in a senior management position.
- Strong understanding of U.S. government compliance issues
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing.
- Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
- Construction management experience in a developing country context
- Experience managing programming in water/sanitation and/or education
- Previous experience in Somalia preferable.

SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful COP will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. He/She 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. S/he will have demonstrated skills in managing programs in challenging insecure environments. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous 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 Chief of Party will be based in Hargeisa, and manage activities throughout the country. This is an unaccompanied post in a highly insecure environment.