Country Director

General Position Summary

The Country Director (CD) is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Pakistan, resulting in lasting improvement in the lives of our team members and program participants. S/He helps formulate the strategic direction for the country program in line with the local context and Mercy Corps’ 10-year Pathway to Possibility. The CD has supervisory responsibility for the country team and provides overall guidance and management of a portfolio of health, education, protection, livelihoods, and emergency response programs with an average yearly budget of USD 15 million.  S/he is also responsible for the implementation of all security protocols. The CD develops sustainable, multi-sector programming and is accountable to beneficiaries and donors, placing a high value on innovative solutions to development issues and creative partnerships in tough environments. The CD provides overall team management, capacity building, mentoring to a large team spread across Pakistan, and ensures adherence to Mercy Corps policies and procedures including Mercy Corps’ code of ethics.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• In the evolving context, with a participatory approach, formulate and communicate a clear vision to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and plans.
• Lead the annual country strategy planning and update process. Ensure the alignment of the country strategy to Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibility.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.
• Use technical support teams collaboratively as well as external consultants that could support our business development and/or quality program implementation efforts.
• Share Mercy Corps Pakistan successes and technical approaches with other Mercy Corps teams in the region and/or globally. Promote cross collaboration and learning.
• Explore and present funding opportunities that integrate initiatives and leverage impact for the communities; support and direct fund-raising activities with institutional and private donors.
• Ensure networking with key donors as well as government stakeholders to grow Mercy Corps Pakistan’s programs in areas such as food security, economic opportunity, water security. The CD will especially explore and build climate change resilience and DRR programming.

Influence & Representation

• Proactively represent Mercy Corps with all levels of government, as well as donor, partners, local and international stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
• Ensure compliance to the MoU/registration signed with the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan
• Work with the team especially the Security and Government Liaison manager to ensure timely approvals, No Objection Certificates for program implementation
• Develop and nurture relationships with relevant government departments for timely implementation of planned interventions
• Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in community activities as appropriate.
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local governments, foundations, the private sector, etc.
• Develop and foster partnerships that add value to our programming strengths and position us to be competitive for large funding opportunities.
• Anticipate needs, understand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and understand and live Mercy Corps organizational culture and values.
• Oversee and lead training and learning processes (including People with Possibility) where team members internalize and behave according to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and all our Ethics Policies.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews
• 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.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
• Facilitate meetings and processes where team members feel empowered and equipped to take actions towards achieving our programs’ and agency goals.
• Facilitate and lead regular staff meetings and ad-com meetings. Follow up with required actions as needed.

Program Operations Management

• Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
• Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
• Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors
• Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
• 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.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.

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. 

 Security

• Liaise with the Regional and Global security team and Regional Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S or equivalent in relevant field required.
• 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large and complex development programs.
• 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
• Previous experience as a country director for large country offices
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners, UN and other stakeholders in complex environments.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing large teams in complex operating environment
• Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID, USDS, Global Fund, FCDO, EC, UN, private donors, BHA, ECHO
• Experience and expertise in climate change, resilience, and disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction will be preferred
• Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
• Proven capacity to analyze the political and social context in which our organization operates to make informed decisions.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Urdu and other local languages is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous work experience in Pakistan required, experience in the region and in insecure environments is preferred.
• Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster response as appropriate.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in emergency response preferred.