Grants and Program Support Specialist

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.

Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been working in Mali since 2012 to support vulnerable and at- risk Malian women, men and youth to cope with food security and conflict-induced shocks and stresses, restore peace and stability, and address humanitarian and development structural challenges. With a growing portfolio of funding and programming, Mercy Corps Mali is increasingly striving to integrate its humanitarian, development and conflict-prevention programming to create a sustainable and impactful improvement in the human security of some of Mali’s worst conflict- affected areas.

Supporting this portfolio is a growing team of support and quality team personnel, working closely alongside the Program and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) teams and between departments to continually improve the quality of implementation. By building the capacity of the program team members and supporting them to improve lessons learned capitalization, reflection and adaptation, quality reporting and adherence to donor and Mercy Corps project management minimum standards; these support roles bring immense benefit across the broader team.

General Position Summary

The Grants & Programme Support Specialist will lead a number of critical functions for Mercy Corps’ program portfolio in Mali, specifically 1) Supporting the DoP in overseeing the development of fundraising documents (Expression of Interests, concept notes, proposals) in line with Mercy Corps’ country strategy; 2) grants management and reporting, and 3) supporting program quality. S/he will support the Director of Programs with developing concept notes and proposals, working closely with field team and program members for technical input and the Country Director and other Senior Management Team (SMT) members for strategic direction. S/he will also ensure high quality and timely reporting to Mercy Corps and its donors including, but not limited to, bi-weekly program updates, monthly sector reviews, and quarterly, annual, and final program reports.

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Essential Job Responsibilities

Reporting & Grant Management

• Lead the coordination, review, approval and submission of Program and MEL reports in adherence to the grant agreement and timelines. Create and maintain effective systems ensuring timely and informative reporting.
• Oversee the development of quality narrative reports, reflecting the progress and status of projects in a transparent, timely and professional manner, in liaison with program managers, the Director of Programs and finance, which will contribute ultimately to steady cash inflow.
• Liaise with the finance and operations teams when preparing reports, esp. with finance to ensure greater coherence between financial and narrative reports by cross checking the matching of data in the narrative and financial reports.
• Work in close relation with the MEL team to incorporate MEL data (incl. data on outputs, outcomes and impact indicators, lessons learnt and best practices) in reports.
• Work with Program Managers and Director of Programs to maintain effective systems ensuring timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Collect and organize key project management tools and documents and manage grant administration, including overseeing electronic filing systems for key program documents (donor agreements, proposals, approved budget, work plans, etc.) ensuring it meets PM@MC standards and sending reminders when needed.
• Draft and review program updates and respond to information requests for donors and other key stakeholders.

Partnership Management

• Create a partnership database that maps out partner capacity, areas of expertise aligning with Mercy Corps Mali country strategy.
• Seek strategic partnership opportunities within Mali with peer NGOs and local NGOs.

Programme Support

• In accordance with Mercy Corps Programme Management Policy and PM@MC standards, support the Director of Programs on project kick-off meetings, project launch, and 90 days end of program transition.
• Work with different programmes team in identifying best practices, lessons learned; document and develop program materials for wider dissemination to internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaise with different program departments in developing programme materials including but not limited to fact sheets, visibility statements, newsletters and strategic communications materials.

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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Works Directly With: Program Directors/ Managers, PDQ, MEL Manager, Finance Manager, Country Director, consortium partner teams, Gender Specialist, HQ & Regional Technical Support Unit, donors, NGO partners, and humanitarian agencies

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelors/ Masters in international development and/or relevant field (government, political science, international relations, etc.).
• Strong Writing and analytical skills.
• Minimum two years experience with European, US and other institutional donors, including grant management, and proposal development.
• Field experience in conflict and development environments. Exposure to gender, protection, and social cohesion programs will be appreciated
• Fluency in French and excellent oral and written English skills required
• Ability to deliver high quality reports within short deadlines, as well as support, coordinate and lead proposal writing.
• Ability to juggle several competing priorities from different projects at the same time.
• Excellent communication and networking skills, to build and maintain contact networks across a broad range of partners.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have an ability to work independently, take initiative in tasks and self-learning, and be proactive in communications and development of professional relationships. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with demonstrated sensitivity to the people and issues in the region. S/he will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, relationship and cross-cultural communication skills especially in high stress environments are essential for success. S/he will be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps; have the ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations with patience, dynamism, tenacity and a good sense of humor.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Bamako, Mali and requires at least 35% of time spent in the field offices. This is an unaccompanied position. The position is entitled to shared housing and is eligible for R&R but not eligible for hardship. There is good access to electricity and water, though there are occasional electrical outages. Access to quality health care is limited. There are a number of clinics in town, but serious illnesses will require evacuation. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods in Bamako.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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 Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.