Sahel Program Director - West & Central Africa Region

Position Description

Department: Programs function – West and Central Africa

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Employee Type: Full-Time, Regular

Risk Level: Level 3

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

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.

The Department Summary

Mercy Corps operations in West & Central Africa region consist of countries including Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia and Chad.

Mercy Corps’ programs in West Africa are undergoing both momentous humanitarian crises and significant development challenges that offer the opportunity to empower people to survive through crises, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Position Summary

The Sahel Program Director is a strategic position that has overall responsibility to lead external engagements in the region, new business development, program design, quality, implementation and compliance and business development for key country programs across the region (Senegal, Niger, Chad and beyond).

The Sahel Program Director represents Mercy Corps in various platforms in the subregion including FONGA, donors, UN agencies and other key partners.

Essential Responsibilities

• Represent Mercy Corps programs with regional and international stakeholders in the respective countries and in the region/Dakar as needed in close coordination with the Country/Program leads, Multi-Country Program leads and the regional leadership team.
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local NGOs, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in close collaboration with Country Managers.
• In close coordination with the Country/Program Managers and the Regional leadership, identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, governments and other stakeholders.
• Connect analysis and evidence from the field with advocacy efforts.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Drive Business Development Strategies in the Sahel and regionally with the support of the Regional/global Business Development leads, Technical and Award Management Teams and actively support Country/Program Managers to prioritize proactive and evidence based, participatory program designs.
• Ensure go-no-go decisions remain in line with agency priorities and the strategy.
• Develop strategic donor relationships in the Sahel toward funding the strategy and impact Mercy Corps wants to achieve in each country and at the regional level.
• Provide leadership and quality assurance on program design processes.
• Apply the agency’s best practices in proposal development efforts for institutional donors.

STRATEGIC VISION & LEADERSHIP

• Support the development and operationalization of the countries’ strategies and operational plans, in close collaboration with Country and Program Managers.
• Develop new and innovative program approaches in line with the country and regional strategies based on needs and donors' trends.
• Maintain deep understanding of the social, political, environmental and economic context in all countries to inform program performance, relevance, and impact.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps strategy is understood and guides decision-making throughout implementation.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

• Oversee the management and implementation of country programs
• Lead program review systems and processes that ensure the right information is available at the right time and at the right level for adaptative management and effective decision making.
• Ensure programs meet donors and internal compliance.
• Ensure necessary tools are in place to provide sound program cycle management and that programs are delivered on scope, time and budget. Assess areas of improvement and provide capacity strengthening accordingly.
• Create and maintain systems to ensure technical coherence and adherence to global and MC standards for program excellence.
• Ensure responsiveness and appropriate levels of in-person and remote support to all country programs, with regular visits to various countries and field offices, when possible.
• Ensure that learning from the field contributes to development and implementation of compelling evidence-based products to support business development and advocacy initiatives.