Senior Project Coordinator

Senior Project Coordinator

Requisition Number: SENIO005311

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, youth engagement, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

Strengthening Anticipatory Action in Nepal (SAAN) is a 2-year project supporting communities most impacted by frequent flood disasters in Sudurpaschim and Madhesh Provinces by transforming disaster response systems to shift from a traditional reactive approach to a proactive disaster response (known as Anticipatory Action – AA). The program aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response by leveraging established models and flood resilience expertise to partner with communities to proactively mitigate the impact of riverine floods, offering a faster, more cost-effective, and dignified proactive approach compared to traditional reactive humanitarian responses.

The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a swift, cost-effective, and dignified alternative to traditional disaster preparedness, by fortifying communities in Madhesh and Sudurpaschim provinces, as well as local governments, with the necessary knowledge and infrastructure needed for early and timely action in the face of climate-induced floods and droughts. This will support at-risk communities to proactively mitigate the impacts of disasters, while concurrently enhancing the reliability of forecasting by fostering stakeholders’ confidence through more effective utilization of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) forecasting systems and working closely with government and private sector partners.

General Position Summary

The Senior Project Coordinator will work with the Technical Lead (PM for MRED Program) and implementation of the SAAN program, coordinating with other similar programs in Mercy Corps Nepal portfolio. He/She will ensure smooth implementation of program activities in the field / community. He/She will be responsible for generating high quality outputs and results; with strong coordination team, stakeholder management, communication, including high level representation skills. He/She should demonstrate a sound understanding of disaster risk reduction, Anticipatory Action, Response, climate change adaptation and market-driven programming.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and environmental compliance are cross-cutting and core components of all MC programs and is required to own these components to ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and environmental compliance are integrated into the program activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Senior Project Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following

Strategy and Project Management

• Oversee the implementation of program activities, ensuring that activities are carried out on time, within scope, and budget.
• Led development of detail implementation guideline to have uniform understanding of project implementation among partners.
• Preparation of terms of reference, draft contract for execution of contracts.
• Engage in disaster response and manage emergency funds as needed.
• Foster innovation and contribute to program meetings and learning sessions. Lead the development of strategies for program focusing on innovative approaches.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated efforts in DRR and anticipatory action.
• Contribute and, if needed, take the lead in proposal writing, particularly focusing on areas related to climate change and economic opportunities.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and submit timely and accurate project reports, including progress and financial reports.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and ensure compliance with donor and organizational policies.
• Regularly update and share reports with the MC desk team.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Manage project resources efficiently and ensure compliance with procurement and financial guidelines.
• Conduct regular budget vs. Expenditure (BvA) meetings and suggest adjustments as needed.
• Support in management of sub awards to implementing partners in coordination with finance, subaward and compliance team.

Team Management

• In coordination with PM, provide regular performance and programmatic feedback as an ongoing effort, ensure regular communication, and maintain team accountability.
• Coordinate and where appropriate support PM to facilitate regular team review and reflection meetings, team- building to support team capacity-building and adaptive management towards achieving program deliverables.
• Support PM for team recruitments, develop job description, conduct inductions and provide guidance in establishing tasks, benchmarks and setting priorities.
• Work closely with CRC team and partners in Sudurpaschim and Madhesh Pradesh.

Influence & Representation (20%)

• Develop advocacy and Influence strategies for national level private and government stakeholders and engage them to expand the nexus interventions beyond the program area.
• Establish strong relationships with partner organizations, local governments, TCCF local representatives, NGOs, and other stakeholders including DHM and NDRRMA.
• Represent Mercy Corps in meetings, workshops, and other forums along with community of practices.

Knowledge Management & Monitoring and Evaluation (20%)

• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of the program, using data and evidence.
• In coordination with the PM and the, led in development of project planning and implementation documents and ensure these documents are maintained as per Mercy Corps Program
• Management minimum standard (PM@MC).
• Prepare high-quality reports and other documentation to communicate program achievements and challenges to donors, partners, and internal stakeholders.

Others

• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to response as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee, all staff are expected to be part of
• humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities in such situations.
• Other duties as assigned by the direct Supervisor, Director of Programs and or the Country Director.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Supervise consultants and implementing partner’s staff and team members from SAAN

Accountability

• Reports Directly to: Director of Programs
• Works Closely with: Program Managers, Technical lead, Local implementing partner(s); private sector partner(s); and Mercy Corps Data Management and Evaluation (DM&E), Finance/Compliance, and Operations team members

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in disaster risk management/Climate change, social sciences, international development or other relevant fields.
• 5-7 years of experience in related field.
• Supports the development of program or function strategy development and leading the implementation of DRR work with a vision of longer-term, multi-sector integrated projects, with a strong understanding of resilience approaches as well.
• Familiarity with National DRM/CCA policies, strategies and working with Provincial and municipal government structures for DRR, EWS and climate and weather information and integration of DRR into formal planning processes and budgeting procedures.
• Flexible, demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently, cooperate and coordinates team activities and workflow.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with culturally diverse staff under tight deadlines and often stressful situations.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local stakeholders, private sector actors, Government and partners.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to develop good relationships with government stakeholders, donors and a wide range of actors required.
• Effective writing and organizational skills for report development, identifies lessons learned, analysis and develop presentations.
• Proficiency in computer skills.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. They will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

The most successful Mercy Corps team 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. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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.

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 and have signed on to the The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org). 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 Ethics policies and reporting misconduct | Mercy Corps and values at all times. Team members must complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and annually.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Travel Required

Yes. Frequent travel to Project Working Areas