Director, Emergency Response Operations

Location: US or UK with the ability to travel up to 65% of the time and on short notice

Valid unrestricted work authorization in the US or UK is required at the time of application for this position.

Position Status: Full-time, Regular 

Salary Level: $90,000 - $100,000 USD annually for US-based candidates; starting at 63,840 GBP for UK-based candidates 

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 / Department / Team  

Global Supply Chain Operations (GSCO) supports Mercy Corps’ HQ and field operations in supply chain, compliance with internal policies and procedures. Strong supply chain support is key to the success and delivery of quality programs. Mercy Corps defines Supply Chain Operations as those systems and support functions necessary to implement programs effectively including procurement, inventory management, property, and asset management and vehicle and fleet management. The Emergency Response Operations Director (EROD), in close collaboration with the Global Emergency Response Team (ERT), regional leadership, country leadership, and country operations management team, will focus on developing and supporting a high standard of supply chain excellence to maximize Mercy Corps emergency responses in a compliant and efficient way.  

The Position  

The Emergency Response Operations Director is a key member of the Global Emergency Response Teams (ERT’s) deployable team for emergency response, who ensures the resources are planned and utilized towards effective emergency response support. The Emergency Response Operations Director plays a key role in the overall emergency response operational and supply chain management from the early stage to transition of emergencies to development program. This is a deployable role, and the team member will have multiple assignments throughout the year in support of or to lead operations management related to the emergency response. The role may also support assignments related to preparedness efforts. 

As a member of Global Supply Chain Operations (GSCO), the Emergency Response Operations Director will closely work with the ERT sharing the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Mercy Corps emergency response operation activities with various internal and external stakeholders.   

Essential Responsibilities  

• Develop, set-up & manage supply chain lines for the timely delivery, transport, storage, and distribution of relief items in emergency response planning and during assignments.  
• Manage supply chain partnerships as required during assignments.  
• Supports the emergency response team in timely provision of supply chain operations support at higher standards.  
• Provide management information for decision-making as required for global level emergency response planning and during deployments.  

As a member Global Supply Chain Operations (GSCO), the Emergency Response Operations Director is responsible for but not limited to key responsibilities of strategic oversight, development and implementation of emergency responses supply chain policies and procedures and resource management;   

STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT 

Strategic oversight, direction and advice on all aspects of Mercy Corps emergency response supply chain operations management, aiming at the achievement of the following results: 

• Successful contribution for implementation of emergency response strategies and establishment of management guidelines.  
• Advice on operations strategies, policies and plans affecting operations, program deliverables and staffing related to emergency responses.  
• Analyzing Mercy Corps' operating environment in the potential emergency response areas adjusting operations and providing advice on contextual changes or adaptations as required.  
• Guide emergency response operational strategies and activities as requested and required.  
• Promote continuous organizational learning culture with the empowerment of individuals and teams with the identification of learning needs. Create learning opportunities and ensure access to available learning resources on emergency responses and planning related to supply chain operations.  
• Promote a strong culture of collaboration internally within the team and cross-departmentally, to identify solutions and adapt quickly in the face of context changes or operational challenges.   

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 

Effective and efficient resources management in emergency response with the achievement of the following results: 

• Ensure effective set-up and management of supply chain operations resources and reporting systematically, transparently and efficiently during emergency responses.  
• Responsible for provision of high quality and timely procurement for emergency responses. 
• Exercising oversight over procurement processes and logistics ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps procurement policies and procedures as well donor rules and regulations during the emergency responses.  
• Contract administration of emergency-related service and purchase contracts as required during deployments.   
• Manage warehousing, transport, handling and customs clearance-related activities during the emergency responses.  
• Oversight on maintenance of proper custody of Mercy Corps assets, warehouse inventory and general inventory related to emergency responses.  

LIAISON AND COORDINATION:  

• Liaise with Key stakeholders on the ground during deployments, which may include, Implementation Partners, Service Providers, Government Officials, Consortium members, Logistics Cluster, INGOs and national NGOs/CBOs. 
• Represent the Mercy Corps Emergency Response Team externally as required. 

SECURITY 

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by global and country security management teams.  
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies. 

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  

Supervisory Responsibility 

None however potentially some supervisory responsibility during deployments  

Accountability  

• Reports Directly To: Dual Reporting – VP Global Supply Chain Operations & VP Emergency Response Team 
• Working Directly with: Regional Supply Chain Operations Directors, Global Procurement Team, regional and country operations management team, country directors and the ERT leadership and team members.  

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders 

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills  

• Bachelor’s Degree Required, Master’s Preferred. 
• At least 6 years of progressive supply chain operations experience in global level emergency responses, with a minimum of 5 years at emergency operations management lead or equivalent. 
• Demonstrated success as an emergency supply chain leader across all disciplines including planning, systems-set up, procurement and logistics. Experience in a global environment required. 
• Broad knowledge and experience in emergency response operations management strategies, assessment techniques and onsite management.  
• NGO experience preferred with thorough understanding of institutional donors’ (USAID, FCDO, OFDA, ECHO) policies relating to procurement.  
• Must have proven project management skills and experience, excellent communication skills, the ability to find solutions and achieve results, the ability to analyze and resolve complex issues during the emergency responses and the ability to motivate team members working with.  
• Strong collaborator and influencer with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries, cultures, and organizational units. 
• Able to work effectively in a highly stressed emergency response set up in early stage of responses.  
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills. 
• Excellent training and coaching ability to work with local team members and partners. 
• Fluency in English required. Strong preference for fluency in French or Spanish preferred. 
• Ability to travel up to 50-60 percent of the time including emergency response deployments.  

Success Factors  

This role will require exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills in setting up and implementing Mercy Corps procurement systems, policies and procedures and ensuring compliance. Organizational skills and ability to prioritize will be critical due to the number of countries within the assigned region that will need to be managed. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. 

The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability and make effective communication a priority in all situations. Mercy Corps is a highly collaborative and lateral organization encouraging strong self-initiative and team spirit. To succeed in this environment, the candidate should be highly organized and innovative. They should also demonstrate proud workmanship, good communication, and collaboration skills.  

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The Emergency Response Operations Manager is based in the current Mercy Corps US/Europe location.  This role requires up to 65% of time spent on assignment, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Base location requires ability to deploy within 72 hours, dependent on visa, and connectivity to enable remote work from home.