Organization: Mercy Corps
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 10 Aug 2015
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps exists to create positive impact for the communities we serve by ensuring excellence in our work and accountability to ourselves, our donors and our beneficiaries. Led by a senior executive , Mercy Corps" newly combined team combines the Strategy and Learning team with Leadership and Organizational Effectives (our people teams). Key units within this department include Strategy and Learning, Thought Leadership, Human Resources, Leadership Development and Talent Acquisition and Recruitment.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
This position provides an outstanding opportunity to sit at a focal point of many of the critical decisions and strategic directions that the agency will be taking over the coming years. It provides the right candidate the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in all aspects of Mercy Corps and support the agency in reaching the next level in terms of setting and managing high impact strategy, being a true learning organization and distinguishing itself as a leader within the relief and development world.
The APO provides essential administrative support to the Senior Director of Strategy and Learning and supports all the key teams within the agency working on thought leadership to help coordinate these functions effectively and efficiently. . The major responsibilities of the APO are to ensure clear, timely and efficient communications between designated thought leadership drivers within the agency; to manage quick, efficient handling of essential administrative requirements for the department including work flow management processes; and to ensure that relevant thought leadership products (research products etc.) are effectively and dynamically communicated and shared, internally and externally. As relates to Strategy and Learning, the major responsibilities are to ensure that key strategic initiatives and processes have the administrative and analytical support required as well as support team coordination.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Thought Leadership
- Organize, schedule and document key thought leadership meetings and calls under the guidance of the TL coordinator.
- Provide administrative support to TL teams under the guidance of the TL coordinator during the launch of critical TL products (e.g. editing, printing, drafting blogs, preparing presentations and webinars etc.) Prepare dissemination plan chart and work with teams to populate and track.
- Pro-actively identify and leverage points of synergy and collaboration between the TSU and Strategy and Learning teams, especially areas of cross-team learning work.
- Ensure that technical pieces on the website are up-to-date and meet agency criteria for public documents. Support Director of Research in quarterly updates to the board and senior leadership.
- Revise thought leadership documents, including strategies, workplans, product dissemination plans as needed. Prepare workflow charts for key initiatives and/or events and work with Coordinator to track progress and liaise with teams around deadlines and deliverables.
- Collaborate closely with the Executive Team to keep calendar of events, major speaking opportunities and unplanned thought leadership opportunities are carefully coordinated with the TL teams to ensure clear, consistent and timely messaging and materials are planned for/prepared.
Strategy and Learning
- Lead on organizing logistics for the annual planning process and other key events with agency strategic importance
- Take notes, file information and organize meetings around coordination meetings and key strategic events (such as annual planning).
- Help prepare key presentations.
- Analyze information relating to annual plans, strategies and agency efficiency.
- Provide support for the finalization and dissemination of key learning documents.
- Conduct background research where applicable to benchmark with peers.
Accountability:
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.
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.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior Director of Strategy and Learning
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Thought Leadership Stakeholders in (MarComms, RD, PA, Program), Strategic Liaison to the Board, members of the TSU, all other departments within HQ as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field.
- Two years" international NGO program experience in the field or HQ role preferred.
- Two years of experience in an administrative role in fast paced work environment.
- Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software to create compelling, creative products is required (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). Ability to work with Google programs and interest to work with other, new technical platforms a strong plus.
- Excellent writing skills; and strong attention to detail.
- Ability to produce compelling, polished, professional documents and presentations.
- Strong analytical skills able to synthesize data into concise digestible formats.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The ideal candidate with have a deep-rooted interest in the field of relief and development, with a deep interest in understanding the mechanics of thought leadership, strategic thinking and organizational learning.
The successful APO will have a passion for working in a mission-driven organization and and understanding of how the interplay between strategic thinking, organizational learning, and the need to have influence with external actors is critical to organizational success. S/he will have a love of working with people across all levels of the organization and be adept in the art of listening and learning. S/he will be a versatile multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize many urgent tasks while demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines. Good writing and editing skills are essential, as well as being self-motivated and willing to take initiative. The APO will demonstrate flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving, learn quickly, take initiative and be accountable for results with an ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. The successful APO will be able to keep information confidential and handle sensitive situations with tact. An even temperament and a good sense of humor are appreciated as is an awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and a strong commitment to Mercy Corps mission and values.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Portland, Oregon. It may require occasional travel with in the US or overseas. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY 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.
How to apply:
Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=bWJhcnRvbG9uaS41NjExMC4zODMwQG1lcmN5Y29ycHMuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t
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