Team Leader

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to provide assistance in disaster situations and hardships, Mercy Corps operates in more than 40 countries worldwide. The organization partners with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within, both now and for the future.

Job Overview:
The Team Leader for the COSMA Facilitation Unit is responsible for providing overall strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the project aimed at strengthening social cohesion in Moldova. This role involves ensuring high-quality implementation, adaptive management, and effective stakeholder engagement. The Team Leader will translate the project’s Theory of Change into actionable work plans that are responsive to the evolving political, social, and media landscape in Moldova. The position requires a focus on facilitation, local ownership, and systems-level change rather than direct implementation, ensuring that citizen-centered and conflict-sensitive approaches are consistently applied across all initiatives. The Team Leader will also oversee stakeholder engagement, representing the project to various entities, including government institutions and civil society organizations, while maintaining the project's credibility and independence. Additionally, the role includes operational and financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and team leadership, with a strong emphasis on capacity development and risk management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide overall strategic leadership for the COSMA Facilitation Unit, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives.
• Develop adaptive, realistic annual work plans based on the project’s Theory of Change and the current socio-political context in Moldova.
• Ensure the application of citizen-centered, conflict-sensitive approaches across all project initiatives.
• Engage with stakeholders, including SDC, government institutions, civil society organizations, and independent media, to foster collaboration and transparency.
• Oversee the design and management of grant mechanisms that support locally led initiatives, ensuring accountability and transparency in fund allocation.
• Lead the establishment and management of the Facilitation Unit, including financial planning and expenditure tracking in compliance with SDC requirements.
• Implement a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system to promote evidence-based decision-making and project adaptations.
• Recruit, manage, and mentor a diverse team, fostering a culture of professionalism and collaboration.
• Conduct proactive political economy and risk analysis to ensure project activities are conflict-sensitive and do not exacerbate polarization. 1
• Uphold safeguarding and integrity standards across all project activities and partnerships.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading complex development programs, particularly in facilitation roles rather than direct implementation.
• Proven experience in governance, civil society, media, or social cohesion programming.
• Experience managing programs with numerous subawards/subcontracts and equitable partnerships.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex and high-pressure environments, maintaining neutrality and trust.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as international development, social sciences, or public policy. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social cohesion and civil society dynamics in Moldova.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in leading complex development programs. Candidates should have a strong background in facilitating projects that promote social cohesion and governance, particularly in challenging environments. Experience in managing large-scale programs with multiple partners and subawards is crucial, as is familiarity with the socio-cultural context of Eastern Europe, especially Moldova.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in Romanian and Russian. These language skills are essential for effective communication with stakeholders and community members in Moldova.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Chisinau, Moldova, with travel required to various project locations across the country. The project will focus on regions where social cohesion is particularly at risk, such as Gagauzia and the Northern region. The role emphasizes ongoing learning, with team members encouraged to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, adhering to strict safeguarding and ethical standards.