Team Lead for Urban Resilience

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, focusing on disaster relief, economic development, and community resilience. The organization aims to empower communities to overcome adversity and build stronger futures through innovative solutions and partnerships. With a commitment to sustainability and social equity, Mercy Corps has been active in Zimbabwe since 2002, addressing the challenges faced by communities through a multi-sectoral approach that promotes small-scale agriculture and revitalizes local economies.

Job Overview:
The Team Lead for Urban Resilience will play a pivotal role in leading the anticipated Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) tender aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for urban populations, particularly women and youth, while also strengthening the policy environment for urban resilience. This position requires a strategic leader who will oversee the programmatic strategy, manage program staff, and ensure compliance with Mercy Corps policies and SDC regulations. The Team Lead will be responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the Urban Resilience project, ensuring that the program meets its targets and deliverables on time, with quality, and within budget. The role involves developing a comprehensive urban resilience-building framework, fostering innovative actions, and integrating community approaches into all activities to enhance the program's effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Team Lead will oversee the start-up and ongoing management of the program, ensuring effective administration among consortia members and teams across various field locations. Key responsibilities include supervising project staff, developing detailed implementation plans, ensuring effective targeting of participants based on vulnerability criteria, and integrating gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities. The Team Lead will provide managerial oversight to consortium partners, document processes and achievements, produce written reports on program activities, and design effective monitoring and evaluation systems. Additionally, the Team Lead will create stakeholder management plans, conduct field visits, and ensure proactive communication with all relevant parties, including government entities and partner organizations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or higher in management, agriculture, economics, business administration, or related fields. A minimum of eight years of experience managing projects of comparable size and scope is required, with significant experience in resilience and systems-strengthening programming, private sector engagement, and urban agriculture. Experience managing SDC projects of similar complexity is preferred. Strong managerial and analytical skills, including results-oriented management and strategic planning, are essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as management, agriculture, economics, or business administration. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban resilience and the socio-economic factors affecting communities in Zimbabwe.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least eight years of experience in project management, particularly in contexts similar to the Urban Resilience project. Experience in dynamic environments, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, is highly valued. The candidate should demonstrate a proven track record of managing complex teams and delivering quality results under tight deadlines.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for this role. Knowledge of local languages may be advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is expected to involve national and international team members, with the number of direct and indirect reports to be determined. The role is full-time and will require frequent field visits to project sites. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to Mercy Corps' commitment to safeguarding and ethical conduct, ensuring a respectful and dignified environment for all stakeholders.