PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been present in West Bank/Gaza since the 1980s, helping Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to work toward building a more peaceful and hopeful future. Since fall 2007 Mercy Corps has been implementing a USAID-funded TVET program as a sub-grantee to Save the Children with the aim to up-grade the non-governmental technical and vocational training sector with a focus on IT. At the same time, Mercy Corps has been responding to humanitarian needs in Gaza through cash-for work and psychosocial programs. As a result of the recent conflict and blockade in Gaza, infrastructures of health, education, banking and transportation have been left badly crippled. Mercy Corps is implementing aid distribution projects, and intends to focus on recovery over the next many months, overseeing economic development and continued psychosocial support programming.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

• The Deputy Mission Director (DMD) will support the Mission Director in providing vision and leadership in project administration, design and development, and in monitoring overall program performance by tracking progress toward reaching targets, while maximizing budget resources and personnel development and remaining flexible in a continually changing environment. The DMD will be responsible for the implementation of Mercy Corps' programs and staff in Gaza. S/he will work in close coordination with the entire of the Mercy Corps WB/G team to develop and implement program strategies. S/he will also help develop and coordinate the program's efforts to measure impact through performance management/monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and provide timely information to donors, and HQ, such as formal reports, informal updates, human interest stories and proposals for new funding. S/he will be responsible for the liaison with military and other authorities to coordinate access for staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure the effective implementation of Mercy Corps' aid and recovery, and humanitarian assistance programs in Gaza, and exercise authority of review and approval for procurement and payments within program and admin budgets, ensuring that all are aligned with the results framework;
• Liaise with the Israeli Defense Forces and other civil and military authorities as required to coordinate procurement and access, and ensure permits to cross into and out of the Gaza strip for staff and visitors are submitted on time and kept up-to-date;
• Participate in development of new program concepts and proposals, at times as designer, lead or support writer, or reviewer, and participate in identification of new potential donors;
• Provide representation of Mercy Corps' programs to current and potential future donors, and cultivate strong interpersonal relationships with donor representatives; 
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with local government, community leaders and local partner organizations;
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are in place meeting Mercy Corps' and the donors' high expectations and standards and coordinate baseline surveys and monitoring and evaluation exercises for programs/projects, and make recommendations based on results; 
• Recruit, train and supervise local staff, and ensure that all security protocol are adhered to by all staff members;
• Engage in ongoing communication with donors, implementation agencies and partner organizations and ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and regulations throughout the course of program implementation;
• Strive to continually build the capacity of staff and programming partners, and work with staff and other relevant stakeholders on proposal development; and project design and high-impact strategies;
• Coordinate effective program and project reporting, personnel and project evaluations, and communication systems and timelines; 
• Provide extra management support to subordinates and serve as Acting Mission Director during the absence of the Mission Director;
• Conduct him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other duties as assigned.

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.

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: All Mercy Corps Gaza Managers & Staff (jointly with the Mission Director)

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Mission Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Gaza Head of Office, Finance Admin and Compliance Manager, Program Manager / Director (s)

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree or equivalent in international development or relevant field.
• At least 5-7 years experience developing and managing sustainable development programs, with specific skills in strategic planning, assessment, program design, and monitoring and evaluation, as well as a proven practical and theoretical understanding of the project cycle and issues of community development, capacity building, and humanitarian relief.
• Demonstrated experience working in countries in transition and difficult security environments.
• Significant knowledge of, and experience working with/managing grants from, major international donors, including USAID, the US Department of State, the European Union, and the United Nations.
• Ability to develop proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission is required.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps' interests with a diverse range of government officials, departments and ministries, local civil society organizations, other international organizations and the Israeli and Palestinian governments.
• Significant experience building and supervising large and culturally diverse teams of expatriate and national staff.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and prioritization skills and the ability to multi-task and support and/or fill multiple positions at one time. Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the people and issues in Iraq and the region. Previous work in the Middle East and Arabic language skills valuable.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results;
• Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details;
• Ability to live within a complex security and political situation and to follow strict security protocols;
• Willingness to relocate for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs (to include Amman, Jordan, with regular travel to northern Iraq);
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Knowledge of procurement and tendering;
• Curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Based in Gaza with frequent travel to headquarters in Jerusalem.
• Strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedures will be required as will respect for local cultural norms and traditions.
• This position is unaccompanied.