Department: Energy for Impact (E4i) Location: Nairobi, Kenya Employee Type: MC Kenya Domestic Reporting To: Technical Resource and Quality (TRaQ) Senior Director Salary: Benchmarked to Kenya national scale Risk Level: ☐ Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1 Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability. Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children. Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data) 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. Now, and for the future. Position Summary MC-E4i runs programs that seek to reduce poverty by accelerating access to clean energy, helping businesses and communities make better use of that expanded access and working with the private sector to support the sustainability of these efforts. E4i supports the development and growth of privately owned SME’s and micro businesses, which deliver renewable energy products and services to the poor in rural and urban settings. We advise energy access SMEs on commercial, financial and engineering matters and help them secure the resources they need to grow. We run pilots to test new products and business models to expand into markets. The Program Director is the ultimate accountability point for E4i, owning the vision, application, and development of their technical team. This position will oversee the portfolio of E4i programs direction, liaise with relevant donors while leading the technical components of the portfolio of programs. This will include supporting the team with program strategy, partner management, technical implementation, and inputs and accountability to the overall portfolio budget management. The Director supervises a team of technical experts, providing feedback and guiding growth, and coordinating team movement and activities. Finally, the Program Director will work with the Sr. Director of Climate & Water Security, the E4i team and other relevant teams to establish an updated vision and expansion plan. This will include an operational strategy, updated service offerings and pathways towards greater coordination with Mercy Corps country, regional and global teams. Essential Responsibilities STRATEGIC VISION AND LEADERSHIP Set, communicate, and apply a clear strategic vision and expansion plan (operational strategy, updated service offerings) with E4i’s new operating structure; Ensure it is updated to reflect ongoing learning, and emerging capacities. Identify strategic partners and develop relationships in collaboration with relevant program area teams. Lead efforts to build and develop relationships with energy access donors and funders to support new funding opportunities. Manage the balance of strategy development, program design and implementation, knowledge management and technical influence. PROGRAM PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT Ensure that program implementation is responsive to implementing partners’ and donor needs, and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Serve as point person for all matters related to subaward execution and amendments. If relevant. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts. Provide leadership and accountability for team to maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures. Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide. Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards. Will be main point of accountability for all donor reports. Ensure that program reporting is clear, accurate and up to date, that program budgets are well managed and that key program risks are identified and mitigated. PROGRAM QUALITY Responsible for technical leadership and quality of the team – ensuring that E4i teams are performing and providing the services required to ensure E4i grants and contracts are effectively delivered. Provide direct technical support on high-stakes investments, particularly in the design and start-up phase. Ensure learnings are integrated to improve E4is operations including in ongoing energy programs in the design of new large-scale programs and technical services. Conduct data driven analysis to support and make recommendations on strategy and organizational performance. TEAM MANAGEMENT Embrace Mercy Corps’ culture and values and actively work to achieve its Diversity and Inclusion goals; Foster a spirit of inclusion and respect amongst team members. Ensure timely communications with team staff. Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews. Supervise, hire, and orient new team members as necessary. Use best practices for Human Resources, including up-to-date Job Descriptions, IOPs, and detailed review processes at pre-determined intervals. Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach their objectives; Empower team members to be leaders in their fields and encourage/support professional growth. Ensure team members' accountability for delivering on individual workplans and maintaining and using key databases, tracking, and knowledge management tools. SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options PERSONAL LEADERSHIP Demonstrate exceptional leadership by consistently delivering expectations and maintaining composure, even in challenging situations. Embrace a growth mindset, actively seek diverse perspectives, and welcome feedback to drive continuous improvement. Maintain the highest ethical standards, treating all individuals with respect and dignity. Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of life, ensuring that your conduct reflects positively on Mercy Corps and does not compromise its mission or work. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Proven program and team management skills Strong leadership in strategy creation and implementation, external partnership management, and team development; fosters an environment of inclusion and collaboration. Self-starter comfortable taking initiative. High proficiency for working in varied cultural, political, and religious environments; able to travel and work in austere environments and maintain poise in stressful situations. Creative, adaptive, and flexible; consistently acts with integrity and demonstrates accountability in their decision making. Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under tight deadlines within complex team environments. Exceptional writing skills; effective and clear communication overall. Excellent external relationship and partnership management, prioritizing elevating Mercy Corps’ and technical team’s reputations. Required Education and Experience 7+ years’ experience required in international development and the relevant technical sector that includes: 3 - 5 years of energy program experience required, direct management experience implementing field-based projects. Advisory, management or strategic consulting Early-stage business building as an entrepreneur, investor or incubator Grant writing, research, and proposal development. Leading all aspects of large and complex proposals and managing integrated grant writing teams. Proven donor cultivation experience, including active donor networking. Demonstrated success in building working relationships with diverse public, private, and civil sector actors. Producing and publishing influential articles and blogs. M.A. or equivalent in a relevant technical field preferred. Combining strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking. 2-3 years of management and supervisory experience required. Strong financial management skills, Proven ability to manage donor budgets and provide accurate and timely reporting to donors. Ability to work effectively on matrixed teams and in non-hierarchical settings. Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills are required. Strong understanding of the off-grid market, entrepreneurial space, financial inclusion and impact investing sectors, preferable in the African context. Strong network in energy access space, including SME’s, investors and donors. Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and program locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required. Familiarity with major donors like USAID, FCDO, the EC, foundations, and corporations. Fluency in English required; fluency in other languages strongly preferred. All other duties assigned. Supervisory Responsibility Overall manager of the E4i team structure – including 5 direct reports – two Directors, Finance Manager, Program Development Officer and Comms Officer Budget Management Responsibility Budget supervision and accountability Living, Travel & Environmental Conditions This position requires up to 30% travel to support country programs, business development, and representation, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Team Engagement and Effectiveness Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work. We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together. Equal Employment Opportunity Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. 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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme . By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (
[email protected] ).
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