Senior Program Manager Economic Development

Position Title: Senior Program Manager
Location:Gaza Office
Duration: One Year with possibility of extension.
Department: Economic development

Mercy Corps is a non-profit, non-governmental international humanitarian and development organization, registered in the United States and Scotland with offices in more than 40 countries around the world, including the West Bank and Gaza, where the organization has been active in implementing relief and development programs for over a decade.  Mercy Corps ‘West Bank and Gaza’ has staff based in East Jerusalem and Gaza City offices that implement programs throughout the Palestinian territories.

Mercy Corps has implemented ICT sector development programs in Palestinian Occupied Territories since 2006, with an overall goal to contribute to the expansion and development of the knowledge-based economy in Palestine. Mercy Corps will start implementing a wider economic development program which will include many sectors with focus on utilizing ICT as a business development tool. The program is implemented in Gaza Strip, through and in cooperation with local partners that have relevant experience in education, accelerated learning, e-content development and ICT Software development.


Main Responsibilities:

A-Program Planning, Implementation and Development
Be fully responsible for all aspects of the management and integration of all economic development programs through:
-Leading, in coordination with Mercy Corps senior management, the development of a sustainable Gaza-specific economic development structure; taking in considerations the uniqueness of the economic experience of Gaza.
-Concentrating on developing youth personal skills, as well as institutional capacity building that will eventually lead to a Knowledge-based Palestinian economy.
-Opening new regional and international markets and Business linkages for the Gaza products/services.
-Ensuring timely implementation of the programs to the high standards delivering the highest possible quality.
-Ensuring all program activities are implemented in accordance with technical and budgetary requirements including compliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements.
-Working cooperatively with Mercy Corps staff, local community, partner NGOs, PA bodies and other parties.
-Conducting regular field visits to the project sites, and ensure regular coordination meetings with the partners.
-Ensuring contracts with national and international partners are completed to high standard as well as payment procedures, incl. documentation, approval and actual payment.
-Ensuring that accurate and up-to date programmatic documentation is maintained.
-In cooperation with the Designing & Monitoring Evaluation department, ensuring that relevant evaluation strategies are implemented in a timely and high quality manner, and that all outcomes of activities are met.
-Issuing regular reports on project implementation/ progress to the Program Director, and prepares draft reports and other project documentation required by donors. 
-Generating verbal and written translations of pertinent project documentation as needed/required.

B-Staff Performance Management
-Participate in the recruitment and selection of new staff as required, drafting position descriptions, co-coordinating and participating in the selection process.
-In cooperation with the Program Director, ensure effective performance management of all project staff through regular meetings and effective follow-up of work plans and implementation.
-Coordinate and manage all project staff and provide any necessary administrative or programmatic support to the team.


C-Fundraising and Representation
-Participate in fundraising initiatives, drafting concept papers and funding proposals, collection of required data and information to meet with the needs of existing and potential donors.
-Ensure effective networking and coordination with local and international organizations working in the educational field.

D-Other Duties
-Performance of work beyond normal office hours as required, without additional compensation.
-Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
-Any other duties as required by the Program Director.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
The Senior Program Manager is responsible for directing the works of Program Officers and specialists to best meet objectives.

ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: HR, Admin, Finance and Procurement staff, Designing & monitoring evaluation  department as well as staff of other programs implemented in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
1-University degree (post graduate degree is preferred) in Business, economic development, management information systems.
2-At least ten years of experience in business development and Management. Experience with INGO projects management.    
3-Understanding of the social, political, and economic context of Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
4-Excellent administration and management skills
5-Excellent writing skills in English and Arabic.
6-Proficiency in MS Office.

SUCCESS FACTORS:
1-Excellent communication and coordination skills, with strong personality.
2-Excellent planning and administration skills.
3-Initiative, self-reliant and cooperative.
4-Excellent time and organizational management skills.
5-Excellent ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks.
 

Qualified persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a one page cover letter and their CV by e-mail to”
[email protected]  no later than Sunday, November 07, 2010.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Please indicate in the email subject; Senior Program Manager Economic Development.
No application will be accepted if the email subject is not mentioned in the email subject line.
Please apply separate application for each position you are interested in.