Deputy Regional Director, Operations

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Position Title: Deputy Regional Director, Operations
Location: Nairobi, Kenya, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kampala, Uganda
Country: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a global non-profit organization that has been working to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, employing more than 5,000 staff members. The organization focuses on addressing the interrelated factors that drive vulnerability and humanitarian needs, while promoting good governance, conflict resolution, and economic opportunities. Mercy Corps has a strong presence in East and Southern Africa, with programs aimed at enhancing resilience and empowering youth.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Regional Director, Operations (DRD-O) is a senior leadership position within Mercy Corps, responsible for providing strategic support to country offices in the East and Southern Africa region. This role involves close collaboration with the Regional Director, Country Directors, and various support functions such as Finance, Supply Chain, Safety & security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, and Human Resources. The DRD-O is tasked with improving coordination of global support functions, managing operational risks, and ensuring adherence to internal and external policies. The position requires a strong focus on building a cohesive regional management team and enhancing the capacity of country programs to achieve operational excellence and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The DRD-O will be responsible for a wide range of duties including: acting as a key partner for the Regional Director to achieve effective regional management; contributing to regional overviews and annual implementation plans; overseeing regional scorecards and performance indicators; managing regional core budgets; leading team management efforts to motivate and empower staff; ensuring compliance with legal and operational standards; assessing and addressing risks at regional and country levels; collaborating with support functions to align technical support with country needs; and representing Mercy Corps with external stakeholders. The role also involves crisis management, logistics support for regional gatherings, and maintaining high ethical standards in all operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a detailed understanding of the grant/project implementation life cycle, confident communication and facilitation skills, and the ability to lead multi-department teams. They should demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, as well as the ability to handle multiple issues simultaneously, especially in emergency situations. A strong commitment to accountability and ethical standards is essential.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in international development, social science, public or business administration, or other relevant fields is required. A Master's degree or equivalent years of experience is strongly preferred. An advanced degree or certification in finance and accounting is also preferred.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8-10 years of field experience in senior management and direct program implementation, particularly in complex or fragile environments. Experience with US, UK, EU, UN, and other public and private donors, as well as government grant and financial management requirements, is essential. A demonstrated understanding of the critical humanitarian and development issues in the region is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Fluency in an additional language relevant to the portfolio is considered advantageous, enhancing communication and operational effectiveness in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in Nairobi, Kenya, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, or Kampala, Uganda, with up to 30% travel required to support country programs. The role may involve travel to insecure locations and areas with limited amenities. Housing is provided in individual accommodations with access to good medical services. Mercy Corps emphasizes a professional conduct standard for all team members, ensuring respect for local laws and customs, as well as adherence to the organization's policies and values. The organization is committed to safeguarding and ethics, requiring all applicants to confirm their compliance with policies against sexual misconduct and exploitation.