China: Program Manager - Life Opportunities & Community Action in Luowen (218101-927)
This is position is contingent upon funding. If funding is secured, it will initially be funded for 6 months, with the possibility for extension.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has worked in Sichuan Province since 2008, when it responded to the earthquake. Since that time, Mercy Corps’ programming has evolved from relief towards longer-term development, and currently includes programs working with migrant youth, as well as disaster risk reduction in vulnerable communities of Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces. Mercy Corps’ programming is a commitment towards building the capacity of local partner organizations.
The rapid industrialization of China has had a huge impact on rural communities. The majority of working age men and many women migrate to major cities in search of higher paying work. Rural communities have become characterized by populations of what is known as the “Left Behind.” These include the very young children of migrants living far away and the elderly parents of migrants. The impact is seen on farmland that sits mostly idle due to lack of capable manual labor to tend to fields, further adding to the high levels of existing poverty. Children and youth lack services outside of basic schooling, and although many will eventually migrate themselves, at graduation they lack the basic vocational and social skills to be successful.
Mercy Corps’ Life Opportunities and Community Action in Luowen (LOCAL) Program is supporting communities in Luowen, a small community in the Northeast part of Sichuan Province, with skill building for youth with an aim towards gainful employment, support for livelihoods of existing residents, and capacity development for the local organizations working to improve the lives of residents.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The LOCAL Program Manager will manage all program activities and provide direction to the LOCAL program team, in close coordination with Mercy Corps China’s other programs (in particular the youth programs), to leverage resources and ensure complementarity in approaches and activities. This position is currently envisaged as a one-year position, during which time the Program Manager will mentor a locally-hired Project Manager to progressively assume overall program management responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Provide overall management of LOCAL program and supervision of LOCAL staff.Provide technical expertise to field staff in using project management techniques, including the use of work planning.Provide overall oversight and management of the partnerships with local organizations, including management of sub-awards, scopes of work and evaluations towards ensuring their fulfillment of responsibilities and development.Mentor the Mercy Corps Project Manager and ensure a smooth and progressive transition of the LOCAL program management beyond the first 12 months. Take the lead in mobilizing and managing potential short-term technical assistants (including international consultants), including drafting Scopes of Work, etc.Develop activities and initiatives for beneficiaries in areas of identified need, utilizing existing and potential resources, ensuring that a variety of stakeholders, including youth, are consulted.Collaborate and network with key local authorities, agencies and organizations so that limited resources may be mosteffectively used for the benefit of beneficiaries.Represent the program to internal and external audiences, including the donor and other stakeholders.Work closely with in-house the M&E leader to develop mechanisms to evaluate the impact of activities and programs.Monitor field program results and ensure cross-learning of best practices among field programs.Provide timely and accurate progress reports to donor, as well as a variety of stakeholders.In collaboration with the Director of Programs, participate in the development of other proposals.Participate in senior management team meetings as requested.Organize and facilitate field visits for donors and Mercy Corps staff as agreed upon.Perform any other duties, as assigned by the supervisor.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 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.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Supervise and mentor a national Project Officer, as well as 2-3 additional program support staff.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Mercy Corps China Director of Programs.
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: National Project Manager, M&E Manager, Finance Manager, Director of Programs, and Country Representative.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
3 years of experience managing development programs with a focus on youth, livelihoods, community mobilization or capacity building programs.Experience working with youth empowerment, economic development/livelihoods, and local organization capacity building.Experience in managing teams using professional project management tools.Demonstrated success managing budgets and personnel.Experience engaging the private sector and using market mechanisms in development programming.Excellent relationship management skills.Excellent report writing and speaking skills.Excellent computer skills, including all Microsoft applications.Strong understanding and experience of donor policy and procedures; experience with corporate donors preferred.Fluency in written and spoken English required; preference given to candidates with Mandarin language skills.Preference given to candidates with experience in Asia – and, in particular, China.SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Program Manager will be a self-starter with a passion for humanitarian development and staff and local partner capacity building. S/he will enjoy the challenges of managing project activities, supervising staff and coordinating with a variety of partners and stakeholders. S/he will enjoy living and working in a rural environment and have an interest in Chinese culture and language.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Luowen, a small community located about 8 hours drive by car or train from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Luowen is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partner only.
Basic services are available in Luowen, including restaurants, shopping (including groceries) and others. There is a basic hospital and doctors in Luowen. Living conditions will be basic but comfortable; staff will likely live in a rented apartment or small home. More advanced services, international quality hotels and medical care, restaurants and shopping are available in Chengdu, a city of 15 million and a hub in SW China. Sichuan Province has four seasons, with a hot and humid summer, and cold winter.
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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
0 comments:
Post a Comment