Portfolio Director

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is an international non-profit organization that has been operating since 1979, dedicated to alleviating suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The organization is committed to delivering high-quality, impactful programming across various regions, including the MENA/Europe region, where it responds to diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs. Mercy Corps has ongoing programs in Yemen and Jordan and is currently transitioning to a new strategy called 'Pathway to Prosperity', which aims to achieve lasting, transformational change at scale. The organization values diversity and inclusion, believing that a better world is possible when teams are diverse and every member feels they belong. Mercy Corps operates in multiple countries and employs a significant number of staff globally, focusing on creating efficiencies and optimizing resources to enhance its impact.

Job Overview:
The Portfolio Director for Jordan and Yemen is a senior leadership position responsible for the overall management of the country portfolios under its oversight. This role ensures that country strategies and operations align with Mercy Corps' regional and global strategic direction, delivering programs with quality, impact, accountability, compliance, and appropriate stewardship of resources. The Portfolio Director leads the development and adaptation of country strategies, oversees program performance and business development, and ensures strong financial and operational management. This position also involves maintaining effective risk and compliance environments and ensuring that organizational structures and resources remain fit for purpose as portfolios evolve. The Portfolio Director acts as Mercy Corps' senior representative for the Jordan and Yemen portfolio, developing and maintaining high-level relationships with donors, government counterparts, partners, and other key stakeholders, while collaborating closely with regional leadership and global teams to mobilize support and escalate material risks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Portfolio Director is responsible for providing overall strategic leadership and ensuring that country strategies and operational plans are developed and adapted to changing contexts and funding environments. They maintain a deep understanding of the political, social, economic, humanitarian, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and regulatory contexts across the countries and translate this analysis into strategic decisions. The role includes leading strategic transitions, ensuring programs are delivered on scope, time, and budget, and promoting evidence-based and community-centered programming. The Portfolio Director oversees program quality, evidence, and learning, ensuring robust program review and performance management systems are in place. They lead business development strategies, build and maintain strategic donor relationships, and ensure compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps policies. Additionally, the Portfolio Director is responsible for team management, ensuring effective workforce planning, organizational design, and succession planning, while fostering a collaborative and inclusive leadership environment across countries and functions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field, with an MA/S or equivalent preferred. They should have at least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in international relief and development, including senior country-level or multi-country leadership responsibility. Prior experience as a Portfolio Director or in a comparable senior leadership role is strongly preferred. Candidates should demonstrate experience leading complex and geographically dispersed country portfolios across humanitarian, recovery, resilience, and development contexts, with a strong understanding of the MENA region's political, humanitarian, regulatory, and donor environment. They must have substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian and development system, including compliance requirements and sector best practices, and experience with major institutional donors. Strong interpersonal, communication, influencing, negotiation, and coaching skills are essential, along with outstanding analytical and strategic thinking abilities.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field, with a preference for candidates holding an MA/S or equivalent. This educational foundation should be complemented by extensive experience in international relief and development, particularly in leadership roles.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in international relief and development, with a focus on senior country-level or multi-country leadership responsibilities. Experience leading complex and geographically dispersed country portfolios across various contexts, including humanitarian, recovery, resilience, and development, is essential. Previous experience working in the MENA region and a strong understanding of the political, humanitarian, regulatory, and donor environment are also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in Arabic is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders and communities effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Amman, Jordan, and is currently classified as an unaccompanied position. Team members will have individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. The role requires approximately 50% travel to field offices, some of which may be in insecure environments. Mercy Corps emphasizes the importance of ongoing learning, encouraging team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit both the organization and their personal development. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and safeguarding principles, ensuring a respectful and dignified environment for all individuals involved.