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 โ helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program Summary
The PROPEL Africa Project (Pathways to Resilience, Opportunities, Professional Employment and Learning) aims to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment in Liberia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Currently, young people encounter systemic barriers to securing dignified employment, arising from misalignments between skills development and labour market needs, and inadequate access to financial resources. Implemented by JA Africa and Mercy Corps, PROPEL responds to these challenges through a dual approach: equipping underserved youth aged 15โ30 with relevant, demand-driven business, employability, and life skills, while simultaneously improving the way the labour market works for young people.
Position Summary
The PROPEL Program Director provides overall vision, strategic leadership, and management for the PROPEL Africa program, ensuring high-quality implementation across Liberia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Director leads joint governance structures with JA Africa, manages program coherence and results, oversees technical and operational teams, and ensures safe, effective, and impactful delivery. The Director also represents PROPEL with donors, governments, and regional partners, positioning the program for sustainability and scale.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Lead strategic direction and adaptive management of PROPEL in alignment with the dual approach: youth skills development and improved labor market ecosystem functioning.
- Facilitate Program Steering Committee meetings and ensure decision-making is evidence-driven.
- Ensure alignment between country-level strategies and regional program goals.
Program Management & Quality
- Oversee regional and country implementation, work planning, reporting, and compliance with donor and Mercy Corps standards.
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
- Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work plans, and ensure the delivery of the same.
Maintain coherence between JA Africa and Mercy Corps roles, ensuring effective coordination.
- Ensure safeguarding, Do No Harm, GESI, and youth engagement principles are embedded.
- Drive adaptive learning approaches through collaboration with MEAL and technical teams.
Representation & Partnership Management
- Serve as primary donor representative for PROPEL; lead reporting and communication.
- Strengthen partnerships with private-sector actors, government bodies, financial institutions, and ecosystem enablers.
- Promote visibility and thought leadership on youth employment across Africa.
Team Leadership & People Management
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Supervise and support regional technical leaders and country teams.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional development across partner organizations.
- Ensure strong coordination and information flow between Mercy Corps and JA Africa.
Finance & Compliance Management
- In collaboration with the country's operations and finance departments, ensure proper financial management, procurement, administration, human resources, and logistics (including transport and asset management) needs of the program are conducted within Mercy Corpsโ policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.
- Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with programme, donor, and Mercy Corpsโ needs.
Security
- Work closely with the country teamโs security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
- Ensure that PROPEL activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
Organizational Learning
- As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
โ Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
โ Practices the values of Mercy Corps, including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
โ 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
All team members are working on the program, as well as partnerships with international and national program partners. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.
Accountability
- Reports Directly To: Mercy Corps Regional Director; accountable to the Steering Committee.
- Works Directly With: Mercy Corps Country Officers, JAA staff, Regional Technical Director, Global Technical Resource and Quality Unit, and partners.
Knowledge & Experience
- Masterโs degree in international development, economics, business, or a related field.
- 10+ years of leadership experience in complex, multi-country youth employment, market systems, or livelihoods programs.
- Demonstrated experience working through partnership models.
- Strong understanding of African labor markets and youth employment dynamics.
- Proven donor engagement and representation experience.
- Very strong written and verbal communication skills (proficiency in English). The French language is a plus
- Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
Success Factors
A successful PROPEL Program Director is a strategic thinker with strong coordination, communication, and diplomacy skills. They will foster collaboration across organizations and cultures. They will bring an adaptive management mindset and commitment to learning. Proven ability to mentor diverse teams and deliver high-impact programs. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving, and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position is based in Kampala, Uganda. It requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.
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
Team Efficiency 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. 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]).
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
- As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
- Ensure that PROPEL activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
- Work closely with the country teamโs security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
- Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with programme, donor, and Mercy Corpsโ needs.
- In collaboration with the country's operations and finance departments, ensure proper financial management, procurement, administration, human resources, and logistics (including transport and asset management) needs of the program are conducted within Mercy Corpsโ policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.