Job Description

• Position Title: COUNTRY MANAGER – Yemen
• Number of Vacancy: 1
• Duty Station: Aden
• Position Category:  Full-time 1    AND   Regular 1    
• Duration of Assignment: 8 months
• Deadline: 12 Aug 2025

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. 
 
Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world and has worked in the Middle East since the 1980s. In response to acute and increasing humanitarian needs in Yemen, Mercy Corps opened its office in Yemen in 2010. More than 22 million people are in need and reliance on humanitarian assistance continues to grow. Mercy Corps is focused on meeting urgent humanitarian needs across the country while building support for the recovery of economic market systems, resilience and social cohesion elements in its programming strategy. Strategies to enhance the resilience of communities to the harsh environmental and social conditions in the country cut across the portfolio.

New Structure 

As a result of recent funding disruptions, Mercy Corps MENAE Leadership has decided to optimize resources and create efficiencies by establishing a new structure for smaller country portfolios under the management of the regional team directly. This new setup combines program and support services leadership positions for Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen under a Multi-Country Office (MCO) with a strong focus on programmatic functions and outcomes, including a Multi-Country Director of Programs and MCO Senior Managers in finance, operations and HR. The Country Manager position is the product of this structural change, while the ultimate role of the traditional ‘’Country Director’’ will be held by the Deputy Regional Director Programs mostly in terms of approval authority and accountability. 

General Position Summary

The Yemen Country Manager is an experienced and highly performing Director of Programs that combines high-level program management skills with excellent business development leadership and has a track record in holding official representation responsibilities, in Coordination with the Support Service Manager. Given the smaller scale of the country mission, the Country Manager will directly oversee program strategy, implementation, and quality, while also acting as the primary representative of Mercy Corps in Yemen in Coordination with the MCO. The role requires a dynamic leader who can provide strategic vision, manage complex multi-sector programs, ensure compliance with donor regulations, and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including donors, local authorities, and national and international partners. The Country Manager will actively participate in portfolio management and portfolio growth with the support of, and under the leadership of, the Regional Multi Country Director of Programs. They will provide leadership, technical oversight, management and strategic vision of the multi-sectoral portfolio that spans humanitarian and development programming while managing staff and resources to ensure that the programs are of highest quality adhere to internal Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor rules and regulations, and meet its targets and deliverables on- time, on-scope and within budget.  

Essential Responsibilities 

STRATEGIC VISION & PROGRAM LEADERSHIP 

• With the support of the Regional Multi-Country Director of Programs and Deputy Regional Director Programs, lead and communicate on all programs-related functions while driving a clear vision for Mercy Corps’ programs in Yemen, aligned with regional and global strategies. 
• Lead the development and implementation of countrywide programmatic strategic plans, ensuring that they are responsive to the rapidly evolving context in Yemen. 
• Pursue new opportunities for innovative programming and to sustain and grow MC portfolio in Yemen in line with the country strategy. 
• Follow analysis of the Yemen crisis and the impact of policy, political, and military changes on the context, ensuring that this analysis is recognized and incorporated in planning for both short-term humanitarian and longer-term recovery and resilience programming. 
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed and considered. 
• Ensure that Mercy Corps strategy is updated and implemented as a collaborative process with MCY Program team, well communicated and guides decision-making. 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT 

• Lead and oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of multi-sector programs, ensuring they are on-time, on-scope, and within budget. 
• Work with program leads (Program Managers, FSL Coordinator, etc.) and Program Quality, Evidence and Learning (QEL) Coordinator to ensure that all programs adhere to Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards (PM@MC 2.0) and meet donor expectations. 
• Support and mentor teams, fostering collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement. 
• Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations. 
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participants accountability standards. 

STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

• Lead strategic business development efforts, identifying and securing new funding that align with Mercy Corps’ strategic goals in Yemen, under the leadership of the Multi-country Regional Programs Director and with the support of the Regional Program Team.  
• Track and review new program development opportunities and identify opportunities that match Mercy Corps’ strategic interests in Yemen on a coordinated and timely basis; 
• Ensure each opportunity is fully staffed with a lead writer, coordinator, technical advisor and other required positions, proactively taking on these roles as required; 
• Coordinate with partner organizations and field program staff on proposal development and design, including gathering information for concepts and proposals and serving as primary drafter/editor of proposals and needs assessments; 
• Apply the agency’s best practices in donor cultivation, pre-positioning, and proposal development efforts for institutional donors 

TEAM MANAGEMENT 

• Develop capacity of the team and assist with career development; Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives. 
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews. 
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect and accountability, where team members strive to achieve excellence. 
• Lead recruitment efforts for key Program positions, ensuring the selection of highly qualified and culturally competent staff. 

PROGRAM QUALITY, EVIDENCE & LEARNING 

• Communicate a clear vision of program goals and strategies to program team members and stakeholders, translating into concrete work plans; 
• Provide leadership to increase coordination, collaboration, communication and harmonization of Mercy Corps programming and operations in Yemen, ensuring adherence to the highest technical program standards; 
• Building a supportive and accountable pathway for Program Managers to fully be responsible for meeting PM@MC standards with minimal oversight from Country Manager over time; 
• Liaise with the regional and global teams, including regular updates with the Deputy Regional Director for Programs and regional heads of TRAQ and evidence and learning units to ensure MC Yemen remains on track with regional and global objectives and gets the required support to maintain program performance and quality at the country level; 
• Support the QEL Team in ensuring the planning and proactive implementation of high-quality data collection (assessments, evaluations etc…) along with the development and implementation of a learning agenda across programs; 
• Build consensus around a common vision of what shared success looks like, including developing and tracking appropriate indicators; 
• Ensure programs meet donor and internal obligations on scope, time, and budget, including efficient coordination of program, operational, and financial issues, including the MCO 
• Create and maintain systems to ensure efficient and transparent capture of program data for management decision-making and timely and informative internal and external reporting; 
• Oversee the establishment of systems, policies, and approaches necessary to ensure and demonstrate the quality of programs and ensure technical coherence and promote creative programming across the portfolio; 
• Ensure that all the program staff have received training in line with their level of responsibility and receive technical support relevant to their programs; 
• Coordinate all program units for the timely preparation of quality internal and external reports that flag contractual challenges where necessary. 
• Promote an evidence-driven culture, contributing to the establishment of the country’ evidence and learning priorities, in line with the regional Evidence and Learning Agenda. 

 
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT: 

• With the Support of the Multi Country Senior Finance Manager, Oversee financial management processes, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps’ policies. 
• Recognize the high level of donor scrutiny in Yemen programming and ensure continuing effective, transparent and responsive compliance mechanisms are in place; 
• Maintain oversight of overall program budgets ensuring appropriate allocation of resources to meet program objectives; 
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations; 
• In Coordination with the MCO team, ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance; 
• Create and maintain systems for regular review and implementation of corrective measures based on regular budget variance analysis in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies. 

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION 

• In coordination with the Support Service Manager, Hold the legal representation of Mercy Corps in Yemen; 
• With the support of the Regional Multi-Country Programs Director, represent Mercy Corps Yemen to donors, government officials, private sector partners, civil society and other stakeholders, ensuring strong partnerships and collaboration. 
• Anticipate needs and opportunities, understand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development programming in Yemen; 
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure. 
• In coordination with the Support Service Manager, Develop and maintain internal and external relationships to ensure optimum program success. 
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. 
• Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

 
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.  

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.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED POPULATIONS 

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

Supervisory Responsibility
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Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Regional Mutli-Country Director of Programs 
Works Directly With: Country Program Team, Regional Leadership, Regional Program and Technical Team, Regional Support Services Teams, Global Program Technical Teams (TRaQ,  Evidence & Learning, Institutional Donors Engagement), additional global support teams as needed. 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 

• MA/S or equivalent in relevant field; 
• At least 5 years continuous experience in portfolio and/or country management expertise, with technical design and implementation of FSL, cash and market systems development programming; At least 2 years in humanitarian response in a complex context with international NGOs; 
• Experience in or cultural roots in the Middle East preferred; 
• Experience as a Director of Programs or similar role a strong advantage; 
• Strong management, mentorship and leadership skills with ability to build team capacity; 
• Strong technical skills in food security, livelihoods, market systems and cash approaches in complex emergency context; Other technical skills in peacebuilding and social cohesion; other approaches to economic growth and integrated water resource management also welcome; 
• Strong communications skills with exceptional ability to articulate technical issues with colleagues at different capacity levels; 
• Understands donor regulations and compliance (USAID, ECHO, EU, DFID, UN, etc.); 
• Ability to work under high pressure with multiple deadlines in a challenging environment; 
• Excellent representation abilities with proven experience interacting with authorities, donors and other partners to advance strategic objectives; 
• Strong program management skills, promoting innovation, collaborating effectively across sectors and departments and adopting a solution-oriented attitude at all times; 
• Ability to adapt and work effectively in a multi-cultural context and remain culturally sensitive and appropriate at all times. 
• Excellent oral and written English skills required, proficiency in Arabic an asset. 

Success Factors 

The successful Country Manager for Yemen is an experienced Director of Programs who must demonstrate excellent program leadership, and team management, with proven expertise in fostering strong donor, partner, and team relationships. They should be proactive, independent, and capable of multitasking in high-pressure environments. The role requires technical proficiency, adaptability, and resilience, along with the ability to develop and implement large, multi-sector programs. Strong communication, cross-cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to mentor and build capacity within teams. The Country Manager must embody Mercy Corps’ values, maintain a commitment to teamwork and accountability, and navigate evolving challenges with diplomacy, patience, and a sense of humor while ensuring effective decision-making in all situations. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The Country Manager position is based in Aden, Yemen. Yemen is an unaccompanied duty station. When in Yemen, regular travels to field offices are expected. The position is eligible for hardship and R&R breaks for International Candidates. Housing is in group housing. Security conditions in the country are volatile, with a range of violence and insecurity, requiring close monitoring and vigilance. Conflict and corruption have also badly damaged the country's infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other, though the road network is good, the security situation often precludes travel by road. There is a landline telephone system, a relatively reliable cellular phone system and internet is available in the residences and offices. Candidates must be able to work in an environment with energy, transportation, and communication challenges. 
 
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members 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. 

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 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. 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 elearning 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 (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

الصون والأخلاق

ميرسي كور تلتزم بضمان المعاملة اللائقة واحترام جميع الأفراد اللذين نتواصل معهم من خلال عملنا, سواء كانوا أعضاء الفريق أو أعضاء المجتمع أو المشاركين في البرامج أو غيرهم.  نحن ملتزمون بالمبادئ الرئيسية المتعلقة بمنع الاستغلال والإساءة الجنسية التي وضعها الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة واللجنة الدائمة للتنسيق بين الوكالات الإنسانية (IASC)، وقد وقعنا على نظام الإفصاح المتبادل بين الجهات الفاعلة في حالة السلوك الغير اللائق. عند التقديم لهذا الدور، يؤكد المتقدم أنه لم ينتهك في السابق سياسة السلوك الجنسي، والاستغلال والإساءة جنسية، صون الأطفال، أو الاتجار بالبشر لأي جهة عمل. ميرسي كور لن تتسامح مع إساءة معاملة الأطفال أو الاستغلال الجنسي أو الإساءة أو التحرش من قبل أو بسبب أعضاء فريقنا. كجزء من التزامنا تجاه توفير بيئة عمل آمنة وشاملة, من المتوقع أن يتصرف أعضاء الفريق بطريقة مهنية, تحترم القوانين والعادات المحلية. والالتزام بسياسات وقيم مدونة قواعد السلوك الخاصة بمنظمة ميرسي كور في جميع الأوقات. كما يتطلب من جميع أعضاء الفريق إكمال دورات التعليم الإلكتروني الإلزامية لقواعد السلوك عند التوظيف وذلك بشكل سنوي.
كمتقدم للوظيفة، إذا كنت قد شهدت أو تعرضت لأي نوع من أنواع السلوك الجنسي الغير لائق خلال عملية التوظيف، يرجى الإبلاغ عن ذلك إلى خط النزاهة في منظمة ميرسي كور (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Important Notice: 

Mercy Corps never charges candidates any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment for a job opportunity claiming to be from Mercy Corps, it is a scam.
All official communication from Mercy Corps will come from an example@mercycorps.org email address. We do not contact candidates via Gmail, Yahoo, WhatsApp, or other unofficial channels.
If you receive a suspicious job offer, please report it to us immediately.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should: 

• Use the below link to apply for the position following the right application process. 
• Send their application in English language, filling all required information and attach a copy of their CV.
• We highly encourage female candidates to apply. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply