PROGRAM SUMMARY
Mongolia is a country negotiating the balance of its pastoral traditions with its dynamic economic growth. Changes in government are complicating governance policies and international economic relationships. Environmental concerns, which were previously focused primarily on agriculture and livestock, are also troubled with the growing impact that mining is having and is adding to the struggle between responsible natural resource management and developing economic opportunities.
Mercy Corps supports families and communities in rural Mongolia with programs focusing on economic opportunity and transparent governing. Since 1999, we have worked with local governments and agencies, businesses, associations and civil society organizations to help build a robust economy and engaged community that respect Mongolian traditions.
Mercy Corps/Mongolia is concentrating on three strategic areas in FY14:
- Inclusive Growth: Citizens crowding the poverty line have social and economic information, skills and resources to support themselves and their families and are able to participate in and shape market systems; requisite market institutions are robust, independent, and responsive;
- Good Governance: Decision-making and resource allocation by government and local institutions (private sector and civil society) are informed, participatory, transparent, monitored, and accountable;
- Environmental Stewardship: Improved awareness generates more responsible action from individuals to institutions towards the environment and natural resource management to promote resilience.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Country Director is the senior management position in Mongolia with supervisory and managerial responsibilities over all country personnel, offices, programs, security and policies. The Country Director ensures that the country program is planned and executed with quality, accountability and measurable impact. The Country Director is responsible for developing a culture of professional development and teamwork for all Mercy Corps team members in Mongolia and also maintaining a proactive approach to security management. He/She will be responsible for all donor communication, as well as be responsible for liaising with relevant government entities and for external representation of Mercy Corps’ program in Mongolia. The Country Director is also the primary point of contact for inter-departmental agency coordination.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Strategy and Vision
- Develop program strategies that animate and maximize internal and external resources and relationships;
- Formulate and plan a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies which can be clearly communicated to team members, local beneficiaries, international partners and donors.
- Be a champion of Thought Leadership within the country team and promote the capturing and dissemination of key learning to Mercy Corps worldwide and other stakeholders.
Representation
- Develop and nurture culturally sensitive internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication and program success;
- Build strong constituencies to include Mercy Corps headquarters and regional officers and staff, international and local NGOs, government officials, donor community officials, diplomatic corps and embassies, vendors, media and the general public.
Team Management
- Manage with an emphasis on excellence and achievement;
- Encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation;
- Recruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient team;
- Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management systems in team building process.
Operations Management
- Manage security and safety of the team and field office/s supported by necessary systems and training;
- Manage all aspects of quality program design and implementation;
- Establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring/evaluation systems for internal and external use;
- Maintain structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance and administration;
- Understand and incorporate resources, systems and structures available from Mercy Corps worldwide;
- Ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
Accountability
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.
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.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Mercy Corps senior management team in Mongolia.
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: All HQ offices in the USA, UK, and local authorities, NGOs, INGOs, and civic leaders.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- BA/S MA/S or equivalent in social science, management or international development required and MA preferred;
- 7-10 years of experience in leadership roles in international relief and development including experience managing economic development/market-based programs required;
- Proven ability to develop and implement innovative programs, in particular in partnership with the private sector;
- Proven competence in long term planning and development of strategies (inclusive of objectives, activities, and key performance indicators) for international relief and development programs;
- Proven ability to develop, nurture, promote, and mentor project and administrative teams and teamwork;
- Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to work effectively and creatively, independently and with a team;
- Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate, and initiate and maintain positive relationships, with different stakeholders including local communities, host country governments, INGOs and NGO partners;
- Experience of working with the rules, regulations and requirements of one or more of the following: USAID, USDA, World Bank, SDC, EU, private donors and foundations;
- Verifiable record of developing successful proposals for new projects from conception to submission;
- Computer literacy and excellent written and verbal communication, multi-tasking and interpersonal skills;
- Prior experience living overseas with ability to live and work comfortably in Mongolia.
SUCCESS FACTORS
The successful Country Director will display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible, and will understand how to work closely with and develop the capacity of national staff. S/he will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness to assist in the development and implementation of Mercy Corps Mongolia’s broader program strategy. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. An understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Mongolia is an added advantage. S/he must possess the ability to innovate and to successfully identify new opportunities and new donors/partners for Mercy Corps in Mongolia. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The position is an accompanied post based in Ulaanbaatar, which is a growing city with access to most modern amenities. The city is well serviced with restaurants, pubs, supermarkets and shopping centers. In the winter, Ulaanbaatar’s air is heavily polluted due to coal/wood burning stoves and antiquated power stations near the city center. Expatriate housing with modern furnishings is available to rent at different locations around the city. Travel to remote regions of Mongolia is estimated at up to 30% of the time.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY 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.
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