Humanitarian Capacity Adviser

Job Description PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps program addresses a large array of needs and gaps, going from urban and peri-urban scale projects to community level interventions, which includes schools and other communal centers, going through addressing hygiene issues through hygiene promotion activities and distributions of related Non Food Items (NFIs) and in collaboration with basic water and sanitation infrastructure rehabilitation and schemes. The program will be implemented through local and/or regional partner NGOs.  GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Humanitarian Capacity Adviser will be seconded from MC’s Partnership Support Program (PSP) to one of MC’s implementing partners based in Lebanon to help them rapidly scale up their response in compliance with OFDA and DFID regulations. The position will advise the partner on a number of operational and compliance issues and lead them in their scale up. They will be responsible for overseeing, ensuring and facilitating the compliance of OFDA and DFID funded projects within donor regulations and requirements. Importantly, s/he will support efforts to build the capacity of this local organization to meet finance and compliance requirements of donors, supporting the development of professional systems and professional personnel. S/he will report to the Program Manager at MC but will be based in the office of this local partner, for at least 80% of their time. S/he will work closely with the Partnership Capacity Building Manager, Partnership Compliance Adviser (MC), Program Director, Finance Director and Operations Manager, as well as all partner staff. S/he will consult regularly with Mercy Corps’ Portland and Scotland HQ finance, compliance and legal departments.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  Compliance: Ensure that the program is executed in alignment with donor agreements (OFDA and DFID) and the applicable donor regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; update tools, policies and procedures as necessary. Help find creative solutions to issues that are compliant, yet facilitate the achievement of partnership strategy and programmatic goals of the projects. Review procurement and program transactions, contracts and other documents for compliance requirements and ensure these requirements are met. Ensure timely and accurate submission of information requests to the Mercy Corps and/or other key stakeholders. Prepare prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests. Assist partner, as needed, with sub-grant compliance requests to Mercy Corps. Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation; Prepare and maintain internal and donor compliance-related reports for the partner’s documentation. Work very closely the Finance and Program department in the local organization to facilitate grant projections, disbursement and reporting, ensuring compliant documentation. Provide leadership and direction for the local organization with regard to any grant or contract functions needed for the program’s success and to provide input on program functions. Support and review donor and MC communications with regarding to subgrant and donor compliance.  Help prepare partner for OFDA audit.  Program Scale Up Support: Advice local organization on ways to improve processes and systems in regards to logistics, monitoring and evaluation, recruitment and finance to be compliance with OFDA and DFID. Participate in capacity building initiatives led by MC Program staff, primarily the partnership capacity Building Manager and the Partnership compliance Advisor. Provide one on one mentoring with key partner staff to coach them on aspects of humanitarian/development work that MC identifies they need support on. Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the partnership strategy. Support partner in any budget or program modifications. .  Team Support: Create and sustain a dynamic and participatory work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence. Support and orient new team members as necessary. Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives. Contribute to country and regional team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Ensure that all staff receive appropriate communications regarding their compliance assignments and responsibilities; Develop, update as necessary and deliver training programs and materials and ensure all staff are aware of the compliance requirements related to their position; Inform Mercy Corps of key issues, progress and challenges for the partner.  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. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: BA/S or equivalent in International Development/Humanitarian Action or a similar field and MA preferred. 5-10 years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small grants in an international environment. Experience in subgrant design, negotiation, and administration is required. Proven success managing the administration and compliance of donor funding; Proven experience working with complex teams in difficult environments; Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps’ interests with a diverse range of local organizations and other groups; Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary; Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required; Proven experience in capacity building of local partners Experience with emergency response programs and staff training and mentoring is preferred; Experience working in Lebanon or the Middle East region is preferred; Fluency in written and spoken English essential; proficiency in Arabic is preferred;  SUCCESS FACTORS: A successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving and a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. S/he will be able to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, live within a complex security and political situation and follow strict security protocols with knowledge of security standards, equipment, precautionary measures, communication protocols, various unstable conditions and familiarity of the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. An ability to work independently and as part of a team with a sense of humor, a knowledge of procurement and tendering and a curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures are all essential.