Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to disasters and hardships, Mercy Corps operates in more than 40 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on empowering communities to overcome adversity and build stronger, more resilient systems. With a mission centered on enhancing resilience, Mercy Corps strengthens the capacities of individuals, markets, and institutions to withstand shocks and reduce risks, ultimately fostering equitable and responsive systems. Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Mercy Corps has provided life-saving humanitarian assistance to over 1.2 million conflict-affected individuals, supporting the rebuilding of livelihoods, including micro, small, and medium businesses, farmers, and agribusinesses. The organization employs Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches to create sustainable economic opportunities for affected populations, while also promoting energy access and advancing Ukraine's transition to low-carbon systems through innovative, market-based strategies. Mercy Corps emphasizes accountability to affected populations and integrates program delivery with civil society organizations, ensuring mutual growth and experience exchange.
Job Overview:
The Strategic Program Advisor is a critical position within Mercy Corps Ukraine, responsible for translating the organization's strategic vision into actionable initiatives, partnerships, and evidence-based influence. As the country program evolves towards a leadership role in market systems development, economic resilience, agriculture, and energy resilience, this role will drive strategic initiatives that connect program implementation with evidence generation, business development, donor engagement, and organizational learning. The advisor will work closely with senior leadership, including the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and Director of Programs, to identify and pursue new strategic opportunities, strengthen the evidence base for programmatic pillars, and cultivate relationships with donors, private sector actors, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to enhance Mercy Corps' influence and funding in Ukraine.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Strategic Program Advisor will lead the implementation of strategic initiatives across various sectors, including market systems development, economic resilience, agriculture, and energy resilience. Key responsibilities include tracking progress and ensuring milestones are met, developing evidence and learning products that capture program impact, preparing executive briefings and presentations, and facilitating quarterly strategic opportunity reviews with senior leadership. The advisor will also prepare concept notes and coordinate fundraising efforts, maintain a strong concept note pipeline, and develop private sector partnership concepts. Additionally, the advisor will strengthen engagement with Mercy Corps' Corporate and Foundations team to diversify funding sources and maintain a donor engagement tracker to ensure timely follow-up on opportunities. Collaboration across programs, monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), partnerships, communications, and grants management teams is essential to ensure strategic initiatives are well-integrated and mutually reinforcing.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in international development, economics, business administration, or a related field, or have equivalent professional experience. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development is required, with a proven track record in strategic design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, business development, and donor engagement. An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management is preferred, or a commitment to obtain such a qualification early in the role. Candidates should demonstrate success in developing concept notes, proposals, and partnerships that secure funding from institutional donors, the private sector, and DFIs. Strong experience in evidence generation and learning is essential, along with the ability to translate program data into strategic products and thought leadership materials. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are necessary, as well as strong coordination and project management skills to manage competing priorities effectively.
Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in international development, economics, business administration, or a related field. Alternatively, equivalent professional experience may be considered. Candidates should have a strong foundation in program management and development principles, as well as familiarity with the international development landscape.
Experience:
The Strategic Program Advisor should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development. This experience should include demonstrated success in strategic program design, business development, and donor engagement. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing successful concept notes, proposals, and partnerships that secure new funding, including from institutional donors, the private sector, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and verbal communication skills required for producing high-quality concept notes, briefings, and presentations. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing the advisor's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and may require travel to areas with limited access to medical facilities and amenities, with an anticipated travel rate of up to 20% within the country. Housing for this role is provided in shared accommodations, with access to good medical services and a high standard of living. Mercy Corps promotes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and adheres to safeguarding and ethical standards, ensuring a respectful and dignified environment for all individuals involved.
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to disasters and hardships, Mercy Corps operates in more than 40 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on empowering communities to overcome adversity and build stronger, more resilient systems. With a mission centered on enhancing resilience, Mercy Corps strengthens the capacities of individuals, markets, and institutions to withstand shocks and reduce risks, ultimately fostering equitable and responsive systems. Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Mercy Corps has provided life-saving humanitarian assistance to over 1.2 million conflict-affected individuals, supporting the rebuilding of livelihoods, including micro, small, and medium businesses, farmers, and agribusinesses. The organization employs Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches to create sustainable economic opportunities for affected populations, while also promoting energy access and advancing Ukraine's transition to low-carbon systems through innovative, market-based strategies. Mercy Corps emphasizes accountability to affected populations and integrates program delivery with civil society organizations, ensuring mutual growth and experience exchange.
Job Overview:
The Strategic Program Advisor is a critical position within Mercy Corps Ukraine, responsible for translating the organization's strategic vision into actionable initiatives, partnerships, and evidence-based influence. As the country program evolves towards a leadership role in market systems development, economic resilience, agriculture, and energy resilience, this role will drive strategic initiatives that connect program implementation with evidence generation, business development, donor engagement, and organizational learning. The advisor will work closely with senior leadership, including the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and Director of Programs, to identify and pursue new strategic opportunities, strengthen the evidence base for programmatic pillars, and cultivate relationships with donors, private sector actors, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to enhance Mercy Corps' influence and funding in Ukraine.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Strategic Program Advisor will lead the implementation of strategic initiatives across various sectors, including market systems development, economic resilience, agriculture, and energy resilience. Key responsibilities include tracking progress and ensuring milestones are met, developing evidence and learning products that capture program impact, preparing executive briefings and presentations, and facilitating quarterly strategic opportunity reviews with senior leadership. The advisor will also prepare concept notes and coordinate fundraising efforts, maintain a strong concept note pipeline, and develop private sector partnership concepts. Additionally, the advisor will strengthen engagement with Mercy Corps' Corporate and Foundations team to diversify funding sources and maintain a donor engagement tracker to ensure timely follow-up on opportunities. Collaboration across programs, monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), partnerships, communications, and grants management teams is essential to ensure strategic initiatives are well-integrated and mutually reinforcing.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in international development, economics, business administration, or a related field, or have equivalent professional experience. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development is required, with a proven track record in strategic design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, business development, and donor engagement. An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management is preferred, or a commitment to obtain such a qualification early in the role. Candidates should demonstrate success in developing concept notes, proposals, and partnerships that secure funding from institutional donors, the private sector, and DFIs. Strong experience in evidence generation and learning is essential, along with the ability to translate program data into strategic products and thought leadership materials. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are necessary, as well as strong coordination and project management skills to manage competing priorities effectively.
Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in international development, economics, business administration, or a related field. Alternatively, equivalent professional experience may be considered. Candidates should have a strong foundation in program management and development principles, as well as familiarity with the international development landscape.
Experience:
The Strategic Program Advisor should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development. This experience should include demonstrated success in strategic program design, business development, and donor engagement. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing successful concept notes, proposals, and partnerships that secure new funding, including from institutional donors, the private sector, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and verbal communication skills required for producing high-quality concept notes, briefings, and presentations. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing the advisor's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and may require travel to areas with limited access to medical facilities and amenities, with an anticipated travel rate of up to 20% within the country. Housing for this role is provided in shared accommodations, with access to good medical services and a high standard of living. Mercy Corps promotes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and adheres to safeguarding and ethical standards, ensuring a respectful and dignified environment for all individuals involved.
Info
Job Posting Disclaimer
This job posting is provided for informational purposes only. The accuracy of the job description, qualifications, and other details mentioned is the sole responsibility of the employer or the organization listing the job. We do not guarantee the validity or legitimacy of this job posting. Candidates are advised to conduct their own due diligence and verify the details directly with the employer before applying.
We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.
We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.