Country director - Indonesia

Program summary

Mercy Corps Indonesia implements a series of integrated programs throughout Java, including urban Jakarta, throughout Sumatra, and in Maluku, in the sectors of nutrition and health, livelihoods/food security, access to financial services, water and sanitation, community development, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Cross-cutting themes emphasize community mobilization and participation, and working in partnership with and leveraging the resources of local government, local NGOs, and private sector partners. Mercy Corps Indonesia’s goal is: To foster sustainable prosperity and resilience for vulnerable people through strategic partnerships between government, private sector, and communities. This strategy is achieved through activities contributing to the following five objectives:

Objective 1 - Build sustainability, scale and synergy into our programs through partnership with community, private sector and government

Objective 2 - Improve opportunities for target groups to attain better health and nutrition

Objective 3 - Reduce the impact of disaster, environmental, degradation and climate change on vulnerable communities

Objective 4 - Increase and improve economic opportunities for target groups

Objective 5 - Increase Mercy Corps staff and organizational capacity to provide strong leadership, design, implement, administer, monitor and evaluate and learn from programs.

General position summary

The Country Director is the senior management position in Indonesia with supervisory and managerial responsibilities over all country personnel, offices, programs/ grants, security and policies. The Country Director provides the strategic vision and ensures that programs are designed and implemented with quality, accountability, and measurable impact. The Country Director ensures and maintains a culture of professional development and teamwork. The Country Director is responsible for internal and external representation and is the primary contact and coordination point for donors.

Essential job functions

Strategy and Vision

- Develop country program strategies which maximize internal and external resources and relationships based on clear need and Mercy Corps’ value-added.
- Evaluate program priorities within the country and participate in regional prioritization.
- Explore, evaluate and present new country and project funding opportunities that leverage impact and integrate initiatives and activities.
- Support and direct related fund-raising activities with both institutional and private donors.
- Formulate a clear vision of present and future strategy and program goals to be presented to team members, local beneficiaries, government, partners, Mercy Corps colleagues and donors.
- Lead the Country Annual Planning Process and create a country summary report, consisting of Statement of Vision, Goals and Annual Objectives, and Country Program and Budget Summaries.
- Provide timely quarterly reporting on this plan and strategic updates to ensure the plan is a living, responsive document.
- Create an organizational culture of accountability, responsibility and quality of services

Program Management

- Ensure programs are based on sound design principles, including need assessments and baselines.
- Utilize MC and donor required M&E systems for creating logframes for all interventions and to design a realistic M&E plan for each program and the country’s overall strategy.
- Establish and maintain effective and timely program/ grant reporting systems for all donors.
- Ensure program teams are responsible and capable of conducting on-going program monitoring.

Security Management

- Manage security and safety of the entire country team and MC assets according to best practices, MC operating standards and field realities.
- Ensure an up-to-date MC country security plan is in place and fully understood by all team members including evacuation plans.
- Ensure all team members are fully oriented and have the necessary level of security training for their respective roles.
- Includes oversight of the country security focal point. Initiate and oversee continuous security assessments of program areas and make adjustments in program implementation strategies as conditions require.
- Liase with the Global Security Advisor, SRGE Director and Regional Program Director on crucial events, high risk periods, incident reporting or security policy changes.

Representation & Advocacy

- Develop and nurture culturally sensitive internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication and program success.
- Build strong constituencies to include Mercy Corps headquarters and regional teams, international and local NGOs, government officials, donor community officials, diplomatic corps and embassies, vendors, media and the general public.
- Formulate, lead, document, and communicate Mercy Corps’ public relations and advocacy messages in Indonesia with the media, donors, colleague NGOs, local partners and the government in Indonesia.
- Coordinate within the agency on external public relations and advocacy messages pertaining to Indonesia.

Fiscal and Operational Responsibility

- Coordinate overall country budget; manage budget within approved spending levels and establish an annual cash flow plan to ensure a steady and adequate supply of funds for program activities.
- Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors.
- Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.
- Ensure adherence to operational imperatives as per internal/ external audit requirements; utilize best practices based on MC Office in a Box to ensure program support is accountable.
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to donors and Mercy Corps’ headquarters.
- Directly supervise the in-country finance manager and maintain relations with the regional finance officer in HQ.
- Exercise sound judgment to ensure program expenses are reasonable, allowable and prudent.
- Ensure all program funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations including private funds.

Knowledge and experience

- MA/S or equivalent in rural development, agriculture, social sciences, management or international development
- 7-10 years’ experience in international relief and development. Experience managing a rural development or a sizeable agriculture program is a plus.
- 5-7 years’ experience in staff team-building, local NGO capacity building and financial management
- 5 years of senior-level leadership and field management experience
- Experience with donor requirements: USAID, EC, UN, private donors and foundations
- Experience in security management in a fragile and often volatile environment.
- Verifiable record of developing successful proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission.
- Ability to effectively represent the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
- Experience in and commitment to utilizing the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response and the People in Aid Code of Good Practice.
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners

Success factors

- Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership approach
- Excellent communication and team-building techniques
- Proven experience managing large teams (expatriate and national)
- Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect
- Ability to manage ambiguity, frustration and stress in self, partners and others
- Ability to travel frequently to rural provinces/districts throughout Indonesia