Deputy Team Lead (Wajibika) at Mercy Corps
About Mercy Corps
Since 1979, we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive – and then thrive. That’s the heart of our approach: We help communities turn crisis into opportunity. Throughout our history, Mercy Corps has demonstrated innovation, timeliness, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing realities.
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Mercy Corps has worked in Tanzania since 2006, focusing primarily on three thematic areas: (1) food security, (2) governance and peace, and (3) economic opportunity and livelihoods. Youth and women are at the center of all programming in Tanzania. Through these programmes Mercy Corps supports and builds the capacity of government at the national and local levels, and of communities – making sure that they can address the challenges facing them. The Agrifin programme for example connects smallholder farmers with technology and financial services to boost productivity. Mercy Corps Tanzania is part of the FCDO-funded Collective Resilience Against Extremism (CREATE), a multi-country program that aims to mitigate the drivers, enablers, and narratives of violent extremism in East Africa (targeting Mtwara, Kigoma, Mwanza, and Tanga in Tanzania specifically). Through localized strategies, CREATE focuses on strengthening and supporting societal bonds to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals to violent extremist organizations.
Programme
Funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the anticipated WAJIBIKA programme will promote a more open, inclusive society in Tanzania where government demonstrates greater accountability to the needs of its citizens. Wajibika will deliver this impact via three strategic outcomes to support 1) effective civic space and inclusive political processes 2) media freedom and access to information, and 3) Government of Tanzania (GoT) knowledge, will, and capacity for public service reforms. Wajibika is divided into three components aligned with the three outcomes. The first two components require indicative activities and delivery partners to be outlined at the bidding stage. The final component is a flexible, demand-led facility to tactically support GoT, FCDO, and SDC with research and technical assistance to drive governance innovation.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps is seeking candidates for a Deputy Team Lead (DTL) who will provide technical and operational management of an expected five-year FCDO and Swiss Government-supported Wajibika Programme in Tanzania. The DTL will directly oversee the technical teams to ensure the programme meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. S/he, Dorking closely with the TL, will contribute to overall leadership, management and strategic vision for the implementation of Wajibika. The DTL will be designated Acting TL in the TL’s absence and represent the programme to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and stakeholders.
The DTL is responsible for the strong, results-driven management of the core team and must ensure all staff meet performance expectations. Working alongside the TL, they will take quick and resolute steps to resolve any underperformance issues. S/he will lead the consortium on the design and implementation of Wajibika and will work closely with senior political and public leaders. S/he will ensure the delivery of successful interventions through an adaptive approach to programming.
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Essential Responsibilities
STRATEGY AND PLANNING
● Support the TL in the development of vision and strategy for Wajibika
● Play an active role to identify and develop new programme adaptations that foster and/or improve strategic objectives
● Lead on measurement and analysis of programme key performance indicators to inform strategic decision making.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
● Oversee the technical and operational management of Wajibika
● Work with the TL to oversee programme start-up, management and administration. With the TL, ensure programme implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
● Ensure that programme implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
● Confirm beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity strengthening into all activities as appropriate.
● Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ GESI and Safeguarding Policies, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
● Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
● Oversee the technical teams and assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
● Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
● Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
● Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
● Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps’ regulations.
● Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and Mercy Corps’ needs.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
● In coordination with the TL, represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.
● As deputized by the TL, coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
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SECURITY
● Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
● Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
HUMAN RESOURCES, SAFEGUARDING AND DIVERSITY
● Support Mercy Corps global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development;
● Collaborate with the people team to promote staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development;
● Assist with the on-boarding of senior team members, ensuring they are set up for success and familiar with agency systems, procedures, and protocols.
RISK MANAGEMENT
● Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events;
● Engage with country teams on the internal audit process to track findings and ensure country team compliance with IA findings and recommendations;
● Engage with country level Ethics and Assurance managers as well as the global Ethics and Assurance department to track and analyze trends and needs across countries;
Supervisory Responsibility
WAJIBIKA Technical Leads, MEL and GESI
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Team Lead
Works Directly With: WAJIBIKA implementation team, including consortium partners; Tanzania Country Director, Other Programme Directors, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
● Knowledge and experience working either in Tanzania or East Africa is required and some basic Kiswahili is also desirable.
● MA/S or equivalent experience in development studies, international relations, agriculture, conflict management, economic development or other relevant field pertaining to rural development in conflict-affected settings.
● A minimum 7 years relevant development experience.
● At least 5 years in team management roles with demonstrated ability to build and foster an adaptive team culture and a record of accomplishment in inspiring teams.
● At least 5 years in program administration and management roles, preferably in integrated, multi-sectoral programs of a similar size and scope (GBP 10+ million). FCDO-funded activities strongly preferred.
● Demonstrated relevant expertise in: (1) leading the design and implementation of successful civil society and accountability programmes resulting in tangible changes, in similar contexts; (2) NGO grant management expertise;
● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with implementing partners, host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, and local organizations.
● Experience with FCDO rules, regulations and requirements is strongly preferred.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
Success Factors
A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position is based in Dar-es-Salaam. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with nearly unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are many schools (local and international) within Dar-es-Salaam and staff have good access to basic services. This position will also include frequent travel to the field where the programme will be implemented.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a short-term assignment. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
