Mercy Corps Vacancy for Project Manager - Joint Recovery Action Project (JRAP)

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal - with extensive field visits
Position Status:  Full-time, Regular

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

A devastating earthquake of 6.4 magnitude on November 3, 2023, striking Jajarkot District in Karnali Province resulting in 154 fatalities, 366 injuries, and displacement of tens of thousands of people, many forced to endure freezing overnight temperatures outside due to fear of aftershocks. Furthermore, 660 water supply schemes and 42,820 household toilets were affected, along with WASH facilities in 279 schools and 29 healthcare facilities, as reported by MoRED-Karnali. Safe water supply and sanitation are paramount to affected communities. The earthquake exacerbated the vulnerabilities of affected populations, leading to compromised water access, storage and treatment, and in some cases, returning back to open defecation. Given past episodes of diarrhea and cholera outbreak in affected areas, it is crucial to support the rehabilitation and restoration of water supply systems, construct new schemes, and rehabilitate toilets and handwashing facilities in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.

To address the gaps and challenges in the WASH and nutrition sector, UNRCO has developed the Joint Recovery Action Plan (JRAP), while UNICEF has been coordinating efforts to improve WASH and nutrition services in earthquake-affected areas. As part of the JRAP, UNICEF has prioritized its areas of support, including capacity-building for provincial and local governments, strengthening cluster mechanisms, supporting the repair and reconstruction of WASH facilities in vulnerable communities with “Resilience” and “building back better" lens, delivering hygiene education and supplies to promote dignified living and reduce potential waterborne disease outbreaks, and building community resilience through skill development, capacity-building initiatives and implementing nutrition programme focusing to Infant, Young Child Feeding (IYCF).

In this regard, Mercy Corps, in partnership with UNICEF, is implementing the Earthquake Recovery Project focused on WASH and nutrition by working in close coordination with local governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Manager will assume overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the WASH Nutrition project, coordinating with other relevant programs of MC Nepal. The position will work directly with the MCN’s implementation partner and take leadership on project strategies, approaches and
methods closely coordinating with UNICEF, and other partners. The incumbent must have a combination of technical and management capacity showcasing the track record of dynamic and effective manager. S/he should demonstrate a sound understanding of WASH and Nutrition. The position will be responsible for ensuring implementation and monitoring is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts to assess effectiveness and impact and propose recommendations for improvements.

S/he should also be responsible for generating high quality outputs and results; with strong team management, stakeholder management, communication, including high level representation skills. Since most of the activities in the field will be conducted by implementing partners, this position will have oversight and ensure compliance and quality of work.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI) and governance cross-cutting components of all Mercy Corps program(s), Project Manager is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, and governance practices are integrated into UNICEF WASH Nutrition project.

Essential Job Responsibilities

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

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Lead design and implementation of activities to inform project strategies including support on development of business opportunities.
• Engage proactively in disaster response within the country program, including the management of project emergency funds for necessary support when required. Additionally, contribute as an active member of the Nepal Emergency Response team (NERT).
• Establish a conducive environment for fostering innovation by also supporting the team in exploring and implementing innovative ideas aimed at enhancing impact on a larger scale.
• Actively engage in Program meetings, extended SMT meetings etc. and contribute to learning and sharing

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Work closely with the partner organization and ensure detail implementation plans and guidelines are developed and implemented with quality and in timely manner
• Ensure all project activities are executed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Provide technical backstopping to the project teams including partner staff on WASH and nutrition including timely development of technical design and bill of quantities (BoQ) for WASH infrastructure.
• Develop technical monitoring checklist to support quality monitoring for Mercy Corps and undertake rigorous program monitoring to ensure quality of the work and provide timely feedback to the team.
• Develop and implement capacity-building plans for team members.
• Support project team to develop work plans aligned with their roles and responsibilities and provide support throughout the project.
• Provide a collaborative and enabling environment for the team to encourage innovative solutions.
• Conduct regular team meetings to review progress, identify risk and develop mitigation strategy to overcome the challenges and constraints.
• Manage project resources, including budget, personnel, and materials, to maximize efficiency and impact.
• Ensure procurement processes are conducted in accordance with organizational and donor guidelines.
• Monitor and control project expenditures to ensure financial accountability.
• Conduct regular Budget Vs Expenditure (BvA) meetings.

REPORTING AND DOCUMENTATION

• Develop reporting template(s), monitoring and evaluation and learning plan.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate project reports, including progress reports, impact assessments, and financial reports.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation data.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies. Work closely with the MCE desk team to regularly share updates, share reports for review and feedback and respond to other requests to comply with MC policies.
• Ensure the project follows Mercy Corps PM@MC minimum standards and the data are entered in TOLA

COORDINATION, INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Establish a strong and trustful relationship with a partner organization.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local government, UNICEF, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps in meetings, workshops and another forum.

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 respond as and when a 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 and or the Country Director

Supervisory Responsibility

• Consultants and Implementing partner’s staff

• Reports Directly to: Director of Programs
• Works Directly with: Start up Consultant, MC Program Managers, MCE desk team, Finance and Operations team and Implementing partner’s staff.

Knowledge and Experience

Education: Master’s degree in public health, WASH, Nutrition or relevant academic subjects.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience managing WASH and/or nutrition projects, preferably in a humanitarian or development context in remote areas
• Proven experience in leading and managing teams including local implementing partners
• Experience working with international donors and managing donor-funded projects.
• Strong knowledge of WASH and nutrition standards and best practices.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to travel to remote and potentially challenging environments.
• Flexibility to work extended hours as needed.

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.

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.

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.

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Valid through: June 23, 2024

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Application Method: Please send us the updated CV and cover letter in np-hr@mercycorps.org with position title “PROJECT MANAGER” mentioning in subject line. by COB June 23, 2024.

For detailed information and to apply visit: nepal.mercycorps.org