Join Mercy Corps as a Multi-Country Director of Programs – Middle East, North Africa & Europe (MENAE): Position is Open International Candidates & Travel up to 50%

Location: Amman, Jordan (Unaccompanied)
Position Status: National and Expat, Full-Time, Regular, Exempt

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a global organization driven by the belief that a better world is possible. We partner with communities in over 40 countries to create bold solutions that help people overcome adversity, particularly in times of disaster or hardship. Our goal is to build stronger, more resilient communities, now and for the future.

Program/Department Summary

Mercy Corps operates various programs across the MENA/Europe region to address diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs. We currently have active programs in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Mercy Corps’ new global ten-year strategy, Pathway to Possibility (P2P), aims to create lasting, transformational change at scale by focusing on four key outcomes: Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunity, and Peace and Good Governance. Our strategy is built on resilience, evidence-driven action, local leadership, and innovation, and is aligned with the global commitments to be climate-smart, safe, diverse, inclusive, and creative.

Due to recent funding changes, Mercy Corps MENAE leadership is optimizing resources by restructuring smaller country portfolios under direct regional team management. This role has been created as part of this transformation.

General Position Summary

The Multi-Country Director of Programs (MCDP) is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and compliance of programs in Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, with potential expansion into other countries. The MCDP will supervise three Country Managers and provide guidance on data-driven decision-making, ensuring that resources and processes support successful program delivery. Success in this role requires strong program management, team leadership, and technical expertise, with a focus on ensuring high-quality, community-driven programming. The MCDP will also drive business development strategies, build relationships with donors and stakeholders, and represent Mercy Corps at the regional and global level.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Lead the development and operationalization of country strategies in collaboration with Country Managers.
• Identify innovative program approaches aligned with donor trends and country needs.
• Transition programs toward sustainable interventions while adapting to shifting contexts.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of the political, social, and economic conditions in the region to ensure the relevance and impact of programs.
• Ensure the Mercy Corps strategy is well-understood and guides decision-making.

Program Leadership

• Oversee the management and implementation of programs, ensuring they are on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Directly manage Country Managers, ensuring strong coordination between program teams and support functions (HR, Finance, Operations, Security).
• Implement program review systems to ensure the right information is available for decision-making and compliance with internal and donor requirements.
• Develop systems to maintain technical coherence and adherence to Mercy Corps’ global standards.

Field Program Oversight

• Supervise three Country Managers and maintain effective communication across all field teams.
• Provide in-person and remote support to country programs, with regular field visits where possible.
• Ensure lessons learned from the field contribute to the development of evidence-based products for business development and advocacy efforts.

Program Quality, Evidence & Learning

• Support the Country Managers in establishing quality standards, policies, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks.
• Ensure the use of proper M&E tools to assess the impact of programs and facilitate learning.
• Foster a culture of evidence-driven decision-making across the region.

Business Development

• Lead the design and implementation of business development strategies to secure funding for country programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors and partners, ensuring alignment with country strategies and the broader regional goals.
• Oversee proposal development processes, ensuring alignment with best practices and donor expectations.

Team Management

• Promote a collaborative and solutions-oriented team culture, fostering creativity, ownership, and accountability.
• Model inclusive leadership practices that promote respect, diversity, and open dialogue.
• Provide constructive feedback, conduct performance reviews, and guide team members’ professional development.
• Foster collaboration across departments, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Finance and Compliance Management

• Review and approve program department inputs to the quarterly master budget.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps financial regulations.
• Maintain an oversight system for budget management and proactively adapt to changing financial conditions.

Influence and Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at the national and international level, building productive relationships with external stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with the Deputy Regional Director to ensure that programs align with regional priorities.
• Lead advocacy efforts, connecting field analysis with strategic messaging.

Learning & Development

• Dedicate 5% of time to personal and professional growth, contributing to the broader learning culture within Mercy Corps.
• Encourage continuous learning and knowledge sharing across teams to enhance program impact.

Accountability to Affected Populations

• Uphold Mercy Corps’ commitment to accountability, ensuring that program participants are active partners in design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Follow international standards for humanitarian aid, ensuring the dignity and respect of all individuals.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Country Managers in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen (and potentially additional countries).

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (MA/S preferred).
• At least seven years of senior-level leadership experience in large-scale programs, including humanitarian, resilience, recovery, and development.
• Experience working in the MENA region with strong technical expertise in areas such as Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunity, Peacebuilding, and Climate Change.
• In-depth knowledge of the international humanitarian system, including donor compliance and accountability frameworks.
• Proven success in representing organizations and building partnerships with governments, donors, and local stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English is required; Arabic language skills are an asset.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Amman, Jordan, and requires frequent travel (up to 50%) to field offices, including those in insecure environments.

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment. We seek individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join our team and help drive global impact.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding