International Programmes, Head/ Manager

Established in 2003, Mercy Relief has evolved into Singapore's leading independent disaster relief agency with dedicated leadership, capacity building expertise and an affiliate network operating across the entire disaster management cycle.

We provide aid within 72 hours in the aftermath of a disaster. Our goal is to empower communities in five key areas: water & sanitation, shelter, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare and education. In two decades, Mercy Relief has undertaken 126 relief operations, disbursed over $48.6 million in relief funds across 31 countries. We have implemented 105 post-disaster projects and impacted over 3 million lives.

As a leader in International Programmes, you will assume a pivotal role in managing relief and development initiatives on a global scale. This position requires a highly skilled individual driven by intellectual rigor, impassioned by a clear understanding of humanitarian imperatives, and adept at navigating the evolving global landscape.

Key Responsibility Areas:
1. Strategic Engagement and Partnerships: Establish and maintain partnerships with international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability.

2. Resource Management: Strategically explore partnerships, funding opportunities, and human resources to enable quality project management and optimize humanitarian operations for a coordinated and collective response.

3. Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Oversee the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of program activities to assess their impact, effectiveness, and efficiency. Use findings to inform program design and decision-making for both local and international relief and development initiatives.

4. Landscape Assessment: Conduct rapid or comprehensive assessment to identify interests, opportunities, and threats across local and overseas contexts, in order to assess the feasibility and relevance of potential humanitarian interventions.

5. Risk Assessment: Identify and evaluate risks across domains including governance, financial management, programmatic delivery and security, while implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.

6. Quality Assurance and Reporting: Ensure compliance with regulations, donor requirements, and internal quality standards. Maintain timely and accurate reporting on program performance for internal management and external stakeholders.

7. Team Leadership: Provide supportive leadership to foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture. This includes mentoring and developing team members, ensuring accountability, and managing performance effectively.

8. Cross-Departmental Support: Collaborate with other departments to align on program execution and contribute to organisational growth. Support integrated planning, budgeting, and reporting processes across the organisation.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development Studies. Master's degree is preferred.
• Extensive experience (5-10 years or more) in community work, international humanitarian work, with a focus on program management. Previous experience in leadership or managerial roles is highly valued.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Familiarity with humanitarian principles, standards, and guidelines, such as Sphere standards, Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), and humanitarian codes of conduct.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop innovative approaches to address complex humanitarian challenges. Proven track record in developing and implementing effective program strategies and initiatives.
• Experience in managing multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative work environment, and providing mentorship and professional development to staff.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills to build a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, UN agencies, NGOs, and local communities.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work in diverse settings, including challenging and remote environments. Fluency in English is required proficiency in other languages relevant to Mercy Relief's operational areas is an advantage.
• A strong commitment to Mercy Relief's humanitarian mission and values, including integrity, accountability, and impartiality. A deep passion for creating positive impact and improving the lives of vulnerable communities is essential.

Additional Information:

• This position may require evening and weekend work, as well as travel for missions.
• Mercy Relief is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience, qualifications and performance.

Join Mercy Relief in making a difference in the lives of those in need around the world. Be part of our dedicated team committed to humanitarian aid and assistance.