Programme Manager, Private Sector Engagement

Mercy Corps

Location: Aden, Yemen

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Since 2010, Mercy Corps has been working in Yemen to provide urgent life-saving assistance while also addressing longer-term needs. Our programmes help people in Yemen to access food, clean water and work opportunities so that they can be more resilient in the face of future challenges.

About the Programme

Mercy Corps Yemen plans to continue its FCDO-funded Fresh Horizons pilot project, which applies and tests an inclusive, climate-resilient Market Systems Development (MSD) approach within the fisheries sector in Yemen’s Aden Governorate. The pilot project is using an MSD approach to work with local market actors and sustainably increase income and food security for fishing households and communities. The next phase of Fresh Horizons will build on the pilot project’s successes with a 10-month continuation phase that will focus on strengthening the supply and use of cold chain equipment. The increased use of cold chain equipment will lead to decreased waste and improved profits, and open new urban markets, thus providing improved livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable households and actors across the fisheries sector, eventually increasing food access and improving their own food security status

General Position Summary

The Programme Manager will provide overall leadership, management, and strategic direction to the programme in Yemen. The Programme Manager will be responsible for the successful delivery of all outputs under the programme, managing the programme design and delivery team and representing the programme with FCDO, government ministries and partners. They will ensure an integrated vision among different programme components with a focus on achieving the results. The Programme Manager will coordinate and ultimately be responsible for all Agreement management and implementation. They will be expected to identify issues and risks related to programme implementation in a timely manner, and suggest appropriate adjustments.

The Programme Manager will steer the programme’s MSD approach, providing technical direction for programme staff, partners, grantees, and stakeholders. The Programme Manager will lead the programme team and process for identifying strategic areas of focus, setting a vision for sustainable systems change, designing and implementing interventions and monitoring results.

The programme is expected to start during summer 2025, pending project approval and donor negotiations, and the successful candidate would be expected to start as soon as possible.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION:
• Lead the development of a vision and strategy for the programme shared with programme staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Recognise opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed;
• Set direction by prioritising and organising actions and resources to achieve objectives;
• Oversee the development of annual, integrated strategic work-plans for the programme;
• Foster a culture of collaborating, learning, and adapting for programme effectiveness throughout the programme lifecycle;

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT:
• Oversee programme startup, management, and administration. Provide strategic guidance, oversight and quality assurance for all programme activities, outputs and deliverables;
• Assume overall responsibility for the effective implementation of work plans and ensure delivery is on time, within budget, meets donor and stakeholder expectations and is contractually compliant;
• Monitor implementation progress, maintain up to date logs of issues and risks, work to resolve issues, manage and mitigate risks, and escalate material issues and risks as appropriate;
• Ensure that programme implementation is responsive to communities and partners and is consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant programme guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Ensure programme strategies and activities represent global good practice in market systems development, climate-resilient livelihoods, gender equality, and social inclusion.
• Fulfil Mercy Corps’ Programme Management Minimum Standards based on the organisation-wide guide.
• Oversee efforts to design effective M&E and learning systems for the programme, and linkages with internal M&E systems.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Supervise and manage all programme staff to ensure day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated fashion according to schedule, budget and quality.
• Supervise and manage all programme partnerships to ensure sound coordination in the context of an overall programme strategic and resilience-building framework.
• Manage and help with the recruitment, orientation, professional development and ongoing training of staff to ensure they are of the quality and technical capacity necessary to ensure the successful implementation of activities.
• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

REPRESENTATION

• Responsible for the overall representation of the programme towards peer organisations, FCDO, Government representatives and other stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director and Director of Programs.
• Ensure close coordination and information sharing with programme partners, sub-grantees, key stakeholders and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programmes.
• Engage with relevant coordination bodies in Yemen.
• Coordinate with Mercy Corps communications and advocacy teams to promote programme successes through various forms of media in line with internal and donor priorities and regulations.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Ensure design and implementation of private sector and markets programming aligns with MSD principles and standards, while also integrating technical resources and drawing on technical experts from other areas, such energy and food security.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems enable the programme team to implement effectively. Work closely with country team leadership to strengthen operational systems to support MSD implementation.
• Work with Mercy Corps’ MEL experts to develop and implement a MEL Plan with clear designation of roles and responsibilities between the private sector interventions and MEL teams.
• Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation, quality data collection and analysis systems are in place, adhered to and used as a decision-making tool, in coordination with the MEL team.
• As relevant, collaborate with the Technical Resources and Quality team to provide feedback and share lessons to improve Mercy Corps’ markets programme design and implementation.

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 programmes are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of 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.
• Operationalise and maintain an incident management system for the consortium in compliance with organisational and donor requirements.

COMPLIANCE, FINANCE, AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• Provide overall leadership to risk management of the programme, including maintaining programme risk registers, monitoring the contextual dynamics which may impact award performance, and leading the team to address programmatic adjustments required in light of contextual changes.
• In collaboration with the country team’s operations and finance departments, ensure programme financial management, procurement, administration, human resources and logistics (including transport, warehousing, and asset management) are conducted within Mercy Corps’ policy and with the maximum benefit to the programme.
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and relevant internal external rules and regulations.
• Work closely with Mercy Corps’ country team leadership to address and mitigate potential administrative and bureaucratic impediments to successful programme implementation.

Supervisory Responsibility

Oversees the programme team, including several direct reports. The exact number of direct and indirect reports will be determined during donor negotiations or the startup phase.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Mercy Corps Yemen Country Manager

Works Directly With: Mercy Corps Yemen SMT, MEL, Finance and Operations teams. Coordinates with HQ and Regional Programmes team and the Technical Resources and Quality Unit.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our programme 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.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as business administration, international relations, development studies, etc. However, a Bachelor’s degree and five (5) additional years of relevant international development experience can be substituted for the Master’s degree.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to MSD, livelihoods, and resilience programming – at least three (3) years of which must be in programme management.
• Demonstrated experience advising or managing livelihood programmes which work with the private sector, including experience navigating NGO procurement and administration systems.
• Experience working on FCDO programmes is strongly preferred. If not with FCDO, experience with major institutional donors is required.
• Experience in building the capacity of staff and partner organisations.
• Professional experience in fragile contexts is required, with experience in Yemen preferred, and with an in-depth understanding of gender, age, and other locally significant socio-cultural factors.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and communicate a vision to partners and colleagues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGO partners, and local communities;
• Proven experience navigating complex and high-pressure operating environments.
• Conflict analysis and Do No Harm analysis experience required.
• Fluency in spoken and written English required. Knowledge of Arabic is advantageous.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritise, take initiative, be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solve, work within a complex and sensitive setting, and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and prioritise effective written and verbal communication in all situations. He/she will also see the programme as part of wider Mercy Corps Yemen and Mercy Corps global programmes, and be excited to engage at a country office and organisational level.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Aden, Yemen, with travel required to potential programme locations across the country.

Program Manager

Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include enterprise ecosystems, democratic governance, business advocacy, anti-corruption & ethics, and trade.

Position:Program Manager, Kazakhstan

Reports To:Deputy Director, Europe and Eurasia

CIPE is seeking a full-time position based in Astana, Kazakhstan or Almaty, Kazakhstan for a Program Manager, Kazakhstan, to work under the US Department of State-funded “Improving the Business Environment in Central Asia” (IBECA) program and the “Equipping Central Asian Business to Navigate Global Economic Security Issues” program, funded by UK International Development.

IBECA supports private sector-led advocacy for business environment reforms with particular focus on building the private sector’s capacity to access finance, identify opportunities for US investment, and facilitate regional networks and international connections to attract the US and international investments. The Program Manager, Kazakhstan will support the promotion regulatory reforms to improve the business climate and support private sector-led economic growth by strengthening the capacity of private sector actors to identify and advocate priority issues. Specifically, the Program Manager for Kazakhstan will support program management and implementation and development of a national roadmap of policy reform measures and implementation recommendations from the field and represent CIPE in Kazakhstan in coordination with local partners and project beneficiaries.

Duties and responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage a portfolio of projects for the assigned region, supportive of CIPE’s overall goals and strategies for target countries. Project responsibilities have the following dimensions:
• Develop project concept papers, proposals, reports, and correspondence.
• Act as CIPE’s representative to promote market-oriented institutional reforms in the region including developing and implementing training programs, public speaking at events, and facilitating meetings with partners, potential partners, and other stakeholders.
• Analyze, research, and be familiar with the region’s political and economic landscape, identifying opportunities for CIPE programs and partners.
• Identify potential partner organizations and beneficiaries in country and collaborate to design effective programs.
• Implement, monitor, and manage all project activities, in collaboration with local partner organizations and CIPE team members.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with project partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain correspondence and operational records regarding CIPE-funded programs in the assigned portfolio.
• Monitor partners, contractors, and consultants’ performance to ensure full compliance with objectives, financial and reporting requirements, and evaluation plans.
• Evaluate projects through on-site visits, file reviews, and coordination with independent evaluators where appropriate.
• Develop project reports, summaries, and assessments.
• Oversee program management and implementation and in-country activities, including the development of a national roadmap of policy reform measures and implementation recommendations with oversight by CIPE Deputy Director.
• Jointly with Deputy Director and Program Manager, Central Asia, conduct stakeholder mapping and organizational capacity assessments using CIPE business associations capacity assessment and diagnostic framework.
• Support the facilitation of in-country training by CIPE-affiliated experts on topics related to advocacy, associations management, and economic security.
• Support the facilitation of consultative meetings and advocacy campaigns to be led by country partner associations, including roundtables and launch events engaging key stakeholders.
• Monitor local political and economic developments in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, broadly, as they pertain to the program.? Report on these developments in weekly staff meetings, monthly written reports, and more frequently by email when the situation requires it.
• Draft monthly and weekly internal reports to CIPE’s Washington, D.C. office and contribute to funder reporting, translating documents when necessary.
• Update and oversee the maintenance of a database of business associations, entrepreneurs, civil society, academicians, government representatives and other key stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other international organizations to identify linkages with CIPE strategies, monitor trends, and assess new funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with multiple CIPE departments to achieve programmatic goals, including Communications, Finance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and other regional teams.
• Adhere to appropriate CIPE, U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is required: International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, Law, or Public Policy.
• Master’s degree, or the equivalent experience in International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, Law, or Public Policy, is preferred.
• 4-7 years of experience in international assistance programs, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, and/or associations in the region.
• Minimum four years’ experience with program management and program implementation at the strategic level, preferred.
• Willingness to work through an EOR (Employer of Record)
• Experience with international development and topics consistent with CIPE’s mission, including economic policy reform, anti-corruption and business ethics, democratic governance, business association advocacy, entrepreneurship and others.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, establish, and maintain good relationships with international partners and colleagues.
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English. Professional proficiency in Kazakh and Russian.
• Strong public speaking and writing skills with attention to detail.
• Proposal writing skills are required.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment, as well as independently with minimum supervision; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to supervise, develop and manage young professionals and other staff, when applicable.
• Prior experience with U.S. Department of State, U.K. FCDO, or USAID programs is preferred.
• Proficiency in MS-Office, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must be able and willing to travel for extended and multiple periods.
• Commitment to free market principles and the democratic ideals of freedom, participation, prosperity, and growth.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in project management for US or other foreign-funded projects.
• Demonstrated understanding of public-private dialogue processes, models and mechanisms, advocacy tools working with private sector actors and business associations.
• Experience in economic security topics such as sanctions compliance and investment screening.

Coordinator, Project, Masaka, Uganda

ChildFund International

Position title: Coordinator Project

Location: Masaka ChildFund office: Uganda

Manager/Supervisor title: Programs & Sponsorship Director

Position type: Full-time fixed term

Work environment: On-site

About ChildFund ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund's Values We aspire for every person in our organization—program participants, supporters, staff, and volunteers alike—to feel free, safe, and confident to be themselves. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund's Commitment ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About This Role The Project Coordinator will provide overall leadership and management in the implementation of a community-based Child Rights Monitoring and Remediation System (CRMRS) in selected coffee farming communities in the Greater Masaka region, Uganda - specifically in relation to community-based child protection and child protection case management. The overall objective is to ensure children's fundamental protection rights are respected and promoted in and around the coffee farms and their communities in the specified geographical area. The project Coordinator will ensure that the project deliverables are met as per the proposal. She/He will provide supervision and technical assistance to project staff and coordinate with partners both at the community and district level to ensure effective implementation of the project.

Primary Responsibilities

Remain alert and responsive to any Safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the ChildFund Safeguarding Policy.
Lead the planning and implementation of the CRMRS activities according to the approved proposal, ensuring deliverables and targets are met.
Manage the project budget ensuring timely resource utilization as per approved budget and adhering to both ChildFund International and donor requirements.
Ensure continuous monitoring of the implementation of project activities to ensure quality implementation.
Ensure project data is captured, well documented and contribute to knowledge management.
Lead project coordination with relevant stakeholders and partners for successful implementation of the project including participation in coordination meetings to foster partnerships.
Ensure timely submission of quality project progress reports, and other data and information as may be required.
Ensure establishment of adequate project documentation and correspondence is available for monitoring and future reference.
Provide leadership, mentoring, and coaching to project staff to ensure growth and delivery of service.
Undertake any other duties as shall be delegated by the supervisor

Required Experience and Education

A Master's degree in a related discipline is considered an added advantage.
Minimum of 5 years of project management experience within an international NGO setting.
Atleast 3 years motorcycle riding experience with a valid riding permit.
Proven experience in leading medium to large-scale Child Protection programs in development contexts.
Demonstrated ability to manage high-quality, donor-funded projects.
Experience working within a consortium of partners is highly desirable.

ChildFund's Core Competencies

Teamwork: Fosters team camaraderie, collaboration, and cohesion. Motivates the team towards achieving goals and exceeding expectations. Demonstrable attitude for teamwork.

Communication: Demonstrates understanding of the feelings, motivations, and perspectives of others, while adapting communications style based on target audience to influence action

Results orientation: Clearly outlines and communicates performance expectations and metrics to staff, aligning them with departmental and organizational goals. Provides regular feedback and suggests alternative approaches to meet organizational objectives.

Decision making: Coaches others to analyze information from varied sources to understand the root cause of problems and identify the best solution. Demonstrates ability to critically evaluate tasks and ruthlessly prioritize and triage.

Resilience: Maintains professionalism in difficult situations and unforeseen changes, supporting others in adjusting to change. Activates networks for others by making meaningful connections where appropriate.

Digital literacy: Identifies and experiments ways to incorporate technological solutions to departmental work processes. Encourages and models application of new technology at the departmental level by articulating the importance of digital transformation.

Other Required Competencies

Proven leadership and staff supervision skills, with a track record of building and sustaining high-performing teams.
Proficiency in computer applications and digital tools relevant to project management.
Written and oral communication skills in English; fluency in a local language is an advantage
Willingness to regularly travel across the project sites.
Proficient in stakeholder engagement and communication.
Manage multiple projects effectively under pressure.
Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving abilities.