Southern Washington Program Manager - Mercy Corps Northwest

Location: Vancouver, WA

_Valid unrestricted work authorization in the country in which you will be based (United States) is required at the time of application for this position.
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Position Status: Full-time, Exempt, Regular

Salary Level: The range for this position is $64,000- $70,000 commensurate on experience

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program

As the U.S. field office of Mercy Corps, Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW) works to build more just, productive, and resilient communities in the Pacific NW. Our programs support up to 2,100 individuals each year; reduce prison re-entry rates for participants by 50%; improve services at more than 30 local nonprofits; and support under-resourced communities with disaster preparedness knowledge.

At MCNW, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to improve their life regardless of their background. By investing in those without ready access to resources, existing economic disparities will become more equitable, and motivated, hard-working individuals and families will have opportunities to break intergenerational cycles of poverty for good. For more information about Mercy Corps Northwest, visit www.mercycorpsnw.org

The Position

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of microenterprise business development and other services including daily management of program activities and consultants, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The PM is a team leader and effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. They are responsible for managing relationships with local partners, beneficiaries, the city and county, and contributing to achievement of country goals through innovation and program development and displaying expertise in program management as well as regional experience to the team on the ground. The aim of the Clark County Business Technical Assistance and Vancouver CDBG Small Business Recovery is to support microenterprises through asset building. All of these projects are to be managed by the PM.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Provide professional advice and/or training to team members who need subject matter assistance to help complete SW Washington objectives.

• Create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome

• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to program-wide strategy

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate activities and workflow with the greater MCNW team

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Monitors, reviews, and/or assesses for accuracy and effectiveness

• Ensures project objectives are met and managed to established timelines and budgets

• Collaborates with program, finance and administrative staff

• Ensures program implementation is on time, target and budget to reach desired impacts

• Coordinates with Sr. Education Coordinator and Data Officer to troubleshoot any data issues

• Refers all loan inquiries for Southern Washington to Loan Focal point for action

• Maintains systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures

• Fulfills Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide

• Ensures all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards

• Lead and complete internal 90-day close out process with the support team

• Ensure all donor and final donor reporting are of high caliber and are submitted on time.

• Ensure project files are cleaned up and structured as per PM@MC standards.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Develops and presents alternative approaches/options to various needs and situations.

• Manages collaborative partnerships with clients, partners, donors and local governments

• Communicates effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met

• Demonstrates flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure

• Maintains high ethical standards and treats people with respect and dignity.

• Exhibits an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Supervisory Responsibility

Consultants as needed

Accountability:

Reports Directly to: Executive Director, MCNW

Works Directly With: Director of Communications and Special Projects, Finance & Compliance Sr. Manager, Operations Manager and Sr. Education Coordinator and Data Officer

Minimum Qualification / Transferable Skills*

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

• BA/S or equivalent in business, finance, banking, community development, economics and/or other relevant field or entrepreneurial experience. (Professional work at or near the level of this position can substitute year for year for the educational requirement)

• 4+ years of professional and or program management experience in small business development and or asset building

• Second language fluency a plus

*Transferable skills: Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer or work or life experience (including the military) that are relevant for this position will be considered. Be sure to describe any transferable skills and how they apply to this position in your cover letter.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will be a self-starter, innovative and forward-thinking. It will have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and build collaborative agreements with diverse groups of people, including clients, volunteers, stakeholders, and educators. It needs to have a willingness to work with partner organizations and to develop and strengthen collaborative relationships to enhance our programming and referral links.

It will also need strong writing and organizational skills, the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and  the ability to work collaboratively with low-income and multicultural populations on issues relating to community development and education. It should have attention to detail with the ability to work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Vancouver, WA. Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW) 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. Staff 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.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to

leverage 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 contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to M ercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.

Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees

Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.

This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.

For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment.  Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations.  Failure to comply may impact your employment.  Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.