Job Description
Location: Bogotá, Colombia with up to 30% domestic travel
Type of Labor contract: Indefinite term
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization driven by the conviction 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.
In Colombia we have worked since 2005 in 17 departments, creating alliances and opportunities with the public and private sectors and civil society with innovation, impact and influence through different programs. Under different lines of action and lasting solutions such as comprehensive humanitarian care for people affected by conflict or natural disasters; mediation of conflicts over land, rural women and agricultural production chains, education and protection of children and youth at risk; inclusive economic development, emergency humanitarian care, resilience and based on peace building in Colombia.
We currently have five programs focused on Land and Rural Development, located in the departments of Cauca, Nariño, and Norte de Santander. In Cauca, we implemented the Inclusive Rural Development – Something New program, which focuses on strengthening rural producers to optimize their productive and agricultural processes, which generates better yields, quality and sustainable marketing mechanisms. This program also promotes the voluntary substitution of illicit crops, the formalization of land, and the improvement of economic opportunities through entrepreneurship. The Resilient Housing program, funded by the Starbucks Foundation, aims to improve housing and access to drinking water for women coffee farmers and their families. On the other hand, in Catatumbo, the ProTierra Catatumbo program is implemented, which benefits more than 4,800 families in the rural area, through technical and legal assistance for the formalization of rights regarding rural property, the voluntary substitution of crops illegal activities, and the strengthening of associations present in the area. In Nariño we work on WASH and gender equity issues with 400 coffee-growing families thanks to funding from the Starbucks foundation.
Since 2018, we have worked to respond to the needs of migrants and refugees who have arrived in Colombia, with the aim of improving their quality of life. We are currently implementing three emergency and early recovery programs. First, we lead the VenEsperanza consortium, which is funded by the United States Government’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and in which we have provided humanitarian assistance to more than 500,000 people since 2019. Second, we are implementing the fourth cycle of the Advancing the Future program, funded by the US Government’s Office of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), which provides livelihoods, legal guidance, general health protection and services, and sexual and reproductive health. Finally, the JovenPro program,
Funded by the Hilton Foundation, which is aimed at young Venezuelans and Colombians, it provides support for livelihood processes, especially employability and entrepreneurship, and protection and gender, which seeks to reduce xenophobia rates and improve local participatory processes. Currently emergency and early recovery programs are implemented in the departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, and Cesar.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:
The Deputy Country Director for Operations (DCD) works closely with the Country Director (DP) to develop a professional, effective, efficient and results-oriented operations team. The DCD is responsible for the operational oversight of Mercy Corps Colombia, including the proper functioning of all human resources, humanitarian security, finance and compliance, purchasing, administration, and information technology (IT) processes.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program support operations:
● Assume direct responsibility for ensuring the effectiveness of operations systems for program impact, including finance, human resources, procurement, humanitarian security, administration and IT.
● Ensure the transparent use of financial resources, in accordance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures, as well as relevant Colombian laws.
● Work in collaboration with the country director to ensure that all operational departments work closely with the different program departments to facilitate responses aimed at achieving program objectives in the service of participants, partners local and others. Taking into account internal and donor regulations.
● Develop and, over time, review the Mercy Corps Colombia Operations Team strategy to ensure that all areas of support adapt to the changing reality of our programs and the needs of our participants.
● Recruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient team that pursues operational excellence; Utilize and promote Mercy Corps performance management systems and staff development strategies to ensure the best possible team results.
● Maintain Mercy Corps’ commitment to ethical resource management.
● Liaise with key members of Finance & Compliance, Human Resources, Purchasing, Ethics and other relevant members of the Mercy Corps HQ team to ensure that Mercy Corps Colombia meets and exceeds Mercy Corps global standards across all these areas.
Regional office operations:
● Work closely with office managers/heads in each region and technically supervise regional operations coordinators to ensure decentralized support systems and structures are in place and comply with internal and external policies and procedures relevant.
● Conduct regular field visits to all regional office centers for supervision and support, and maintain close collaboration with office managers/heads at each field site to ensure operational and programmatic cooperation in each field office.
Human Resources Supervision:
● Supervise the Human Resources (HR) team responsible for ensuring transparent, effective and timely recruitment of vacancies, including the provision of inductions.
● Ensure that human resources systems for national staff are implemented as described in the human resources section of the Field Administration Manual and the Colombia Personnel Manual.
● Assist with updating manuals as necessary.
● Ensure that all expatriate staff receive an orientation upon arrival and have access to all relevant manuals and internal policies/procedures.
● Work with the HR manager to help other managers properly implement the performance review process for quality talent management (reward top performers, plan for underperforming team members). /span> ● Ensure that HR follows the visa and work permit processes for international staff and their family members, as necessary supported by the country management technician. ● Consult with outside counsel as necessary regarding complex legal situations as they arise. ● Support the human resources team to ensure that all Mercy Corps Colombia policies and practices comply with local laws.
● Assist with the periodic review of the Mercy Corps Colombia salary scale.
Finance and Compliance Supervision:
● Supervise the Finance team in all aspects of their work, from budget preparation to forecasting and monitoring donor compliance.
● Together with the Director and/or Finance Manager, collaborate with the headquarters financial support team as necessary.
● Ensure proper use of the Finance Field Manual to ensure Mercy Corps Colombia meets and exceeds global standards for financial procedures.
● Seek technology solutions in collaboration with headquarters, whenever possible, to improve the efficiency of financial processes.
● Work on the monthly financial closing and ensure its compliance.
● Support the relationship with partners and work directly with the Senior Subgrants Officer in communications with the headquarters.
● Work directly with international partners in everything related to agreements, financial reports, requests for funds and any activity that is related to the financial aspects of this type of subgrants.
● Supervise all internal or external audits that the MC Colombia office has.
Security Supervision:
● Supervise the Security and Humanitarian Access Manager to ensure quality implementation of security systems and protocols and management of the crisis team.
Administration Supervision:
● Supervise management team members to ensure quality implementation of management systems as described in the Field Management Manual.
● Work with the management team to continually review facility management, including residential and office leases, and ensure safety standards are maintained throughout the facility.
● Support management teamwork to provide timely reservations and travel arrangements, and maintain strong relationships with transportation providers.
● Ensure that all authorizations and documentation required by the government are complete and up to date.
Purchasing Supervision:
● Supervise the Purchasing team to ensure that all Mercy Corps contracts and business transactions/relationships are transparent and comply with Colombian laws and Mercy Corps/donor policies.
● Act as an advocate for “Field Acquisition Policies and Procedures” (FP3) of Mercy Corps and work with all operations and program teams to ensure proper and efficient implementation of established policies.
● Liaise with appropriate headquarters personnel as needed to resolve issues.
● Collaborate closely with the Deputy Country Director for Programs and Program Directors/Managers to provide clarity and understanding regarding the roles and responsibilities of all team members in terms of interaction with the Procurement department. These include training, periodic coordination meetings, problem solving and planning activities necessary to ensure effective and timely implementation of the program.
Information technologies:
● Supervise the IT Coordinator and other members of the IT team to ensure customer-focused services and solutions for Mercy Corps personnel.
● Liaise with headquarters IT staff to identify improvements to Mercy Corps Colombia’s IT system and resolve issues as they arise.
Representation:
● Act as Interim Country Director rotating with other senior leaders as needed.
● Intermediate with relevant government authorities responsible for international NGOs, labor, staff development and staff taxes (in coordination with the Finance Manager).
● Participate in relevant working groups with other NGOs and the United Nations system.
Other:
● Conduct yourself both professionally and personally in a manner that brings credit to Mercy Corps.
● Other functions assigned and corresponding.
● Work closely with members of the Ethics and Security team (supervised by the Country Director) to address any issues related to fraud, ethics or potential security issues, as necessary.
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 dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Program Participants: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants and to the international standards that guide relief work and international development, while actively engaging participating communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Human Resources Manager, Finance and Compliance Manager, Administration Coordinator, Purchasing Manager, Head of Information Technology, Security Manager. Technical Supervision: Operation Coordinators regional offices.
RESPONSIBILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Deputy Director for Programs, Program Managers, Ethics Specialist, Managers/Office Heads of regional offices, Field Teams of regional offices, team members of the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office, as appropriate .
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
● Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, finance, accounting, administration, international development or other relevant field.
● 10-15 years of experience in one of the main operational areas (Finance, Human Resources, Purchasing, Security, Administration), preferably with a good level of experience in all areas.
● Knowledge of the Colombian legal framework, particularly with respect to relevant labor laws.
● Have a solid understanding of managing funds from the US government, European Commission, Funds from private donors, and other donor compliance issues.
● Experience in managing humanitarian and post-conflict aid programs in areas affected by conflict and insecurity.
● Experience working in international NGOs will be an advantage
● Experience working with local and international partners.
● Knowledge of key institutional donor requirements and compliance issues.
● Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills, with a good understanding and belief in diversity, gender and inclusion policies to ensure a welcoming work environment for all.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
● Native Spanish is required and fluency in English (oral and written) is essential.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate is an assertive, quick-thinking and experienced leader. He/she has a deep understanding of what it takes to provide client-focused operations services that help deliver impactful programs in challenging environments. He is an excellent communicator who can inspire large, diverse teams to achieve a shared goal and drive a fast-paced, adaptive program. She is able to create a stimulating work environment that encourages innovation and responsibility. He/she is able to work effectively with an ethnically and gender diverse team in a sensitive environment and prioritize team building and capacity development of national staff. She has excellent information management skills, she is a strategic thinker.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when on a field position or on a visit/TDY to a field position. It is expected
that staff conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all locations throughout the country.
Continuous 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 empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time for learning activities that promote your personal and/or professional growth and development.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different backgrounds, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking, we can better harness 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 brings their perspectives and authenticity, fulfills their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion are not achieved overnight, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is equal opportunity and does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out people with diverse knowledge, perspectives and skills so we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety in which all employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding and ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that everyone we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, is treated with respect and dignity . We are committed to the basic principles on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse established by the UN Secretary-General and the IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment by or towards our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to behave in a professional manner, respect laws and customs
and adhere to the policies and values of Mercy’s Code of Conduct
Qualifications
Experience
Required
10 years: 10-15 years of experience in one of the main operational areas (Finance, Human Resources, Purchasing, Security, Administration), preferably with a good level of experience in all areas.