Deputy Program Manager

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been responding in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022. The team is providing emergency assistance to refugees in neighboring countries and people displaced inside Ukraine so they can meet their basic survival needs. We also fund local organizations that know their community best and are working quickly to address their most urgent needs.

Building on the successes and lessons learned in the first two years of implementing Locally led, Inclusive and Versatile Emergency Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine program (LIVES ), under LIVES 3.0 Mercy Corps will continue to work with CSO partners to deliver a comprehensive package of emergency assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected individuals and communities in Ukraine. With a focus on reaching those most in need in frontline, recently de-occupied or hard-to-reach areas, Mercy Corps and our local partners aim to reach over 60,000 individuals with emergency cash and other humanitarian aid. Another principal objective of LIVES 3.0 is to support local partners with the resources they need to grow their knowledge of, leadership in, and capacity to deliver the humanitarian response. The overall outcome is “The most vulnerable conflict-affected Ukrainians are enabled to meet their basic needs through rapid, localized and appropriate humanitarian assistance, delivered in a gender, age, and ability responsive way.” 

In addition to LIVES 3.0, Mercy Corps implements other humanitarian assistance, including the Rapid Response Mechanism which provides support to conflict-affected households through implementing partners.

General Position Summary

Mercy Corps requires a strong Deputy Program Manager to support with ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of the LIVES 3.0 program in Ukraine. The Deputy Program Manager will work with the LIVES 3.0 Program Manager to coordinate amongst teams and ensure appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results.

Essential Job ResponsibilitiesProgram Management

• Work with the Humanitarian Program Manager to support program startup, ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Frequently travel between the different Mercy Corps offices and project sites, supporting the team and engage in external coordination.
• Support program teams to ensure activities are coordinated according to workplan and budget, support in reviewing monthly partner reports and supporting documents.
• Guide program implementation that is responsive to communities and partners, and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, and quality standards.
• Coordinate monitoring visits for the Humanitarian Program team with other departments, including operations and security departments.
• Ensure the program meets Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards, including proper program documentation.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Provide budgetary support to the Humanitarian Program Manager, including through participating in monthly budget vs actuals meetings, contributing to accurate monthly forecasting and supporting the partnerships team and partners in developing and monitoring partner budgets.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.
• Support with HR/Admin & Finance.

Team Management

• Work with the Humanitarian Program Manager to facilitate progress team meetings and ensure workplans of the various departments are harmonized.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence, and cultivate resilience and well-being under challenging situations.
• Provide close supervision, including regular feedback and biannual performance management reviews, to direct reports.

 Influence and Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity 

Risk Management and Security

• Support program teams on risk management and mitigation;
• Adhere to MC safety policies and procedures and take responsibility for ensuring personal
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies, working with Partnerships Team to ensure duty of care to partners.
• Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.

Supervisory Responsibility:Senior Humanitarian Program officer and/or Humanitarian Program Coordinator.  Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Humanitarian Program Manager
• Works Directly With: Programs, Partnerships, MEL, CARM, Subawards & Compliance, Finance, HR, Operations and Security Teams

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• 3 to 5 years of experience in managing programs in emergency contexts, with proven track record.
• Project DPro Certificate required (or willingness to complete within first months of joining)
• Experience with partner-led programming and localization methodologies
• Strong understanding of cash, NFI, and rapid response programming
• Experienced in MS Office
• BA/BS or equivalent; MA/S preferred.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; 
• Mercy Corps Core Humanitarian Competencies (as defined in the Humanitarian Capacity Framework) preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Deputy Program Manager will combine exceptional management skills and experience in running emergency programs. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. A demonstrated ability to work quickly, accurately, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building. The staff member will have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and thrive in an evolving and changing environment while taking care of self and others.

The Deputy Humanitarian Program Manager will frequently travel between the different Mercy Corps offices and project sites, supporting the team and engage in external coordination.

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 based on 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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.  

People with disabilities and veteran status are welcome to apply.