Interim Deputy Regional Director for Programs - MENAE

Department: Programs function – Middle East, North Africa, & Europe (MENA-E)

Location: Flexible with a priority for candidates based within the MENAE Region 

Employee Type: Temporary – 6 months starting mid-July 2026

Reporting To: Regional Vice President, Middle East, North Africa, & Europe, and Asia (MENA-E/Asia) 

Risk Level:          ☐ Level 3       ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1 

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.  

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data) 

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.

Position Summary

The MENA/Europe region faces immense humanitarian challenges driven by protracted conflicts and climate change impacts. Mercy Corps responds with programming across Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine using a layered resilience approach. Interventions target fragility through ensuring food and water security, access to economic opportunities, and access to energy through a climate-smart, evidence-driven model committed to local leadership and innovative solutions. Amid displacement, increasing natural resource scarcity, and instability, Mercy Corps delivers inclusive, creative solutions spanning relief to long-term development. Our integrated approach aims to build resilience by simultaneously meeting urgent needs while fostering self-reliance and peace within crisis-affected communities.

The Deputy Regional Director, Programs (DRD-P) is a senior leader who works closely with the Regional Vice-President (RVP) to ensure that transformational change occurs through the combination of programmatic impact in our communities; the ability to influence change makers at local, regional and global levels; and a restlessness to innovate in search of better solutions. Working closely with the RVP, they will provide strategic direction and support to regional and country teams to build an impactful portfolio that strengthens community resilience to conflict and climate shocks, aligning to Mercy Corps’ four P2P outcome areas: Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunity and Peace and Good Governance. The DRD-P is responsible for the successful delivery of high-impact programming that is responsive to donor commitments and adheres to Mercy Corps’ program management standards. They lead the Technical Resources, Evidence & Quality, Awards Management, Business Development, Crisis Analysis teams within the region, in addition to the direct management of the Multi-Country Office (MCO) structure, ensuring that technical resources are available and deployed in a strategic way to enable country and regional teams to deliver on P2P outcomes. They will work closely with the Regional Vice President to build and sustain a cohesive regional management team, ensuring the MENA/E regional portfolio is set-up to deliver programmatic excellence through established and responsive systems, and will serve on the Regional Management Team. 

The Deputy Regional Director, Programs will support all leaders within the region and country programs with the operationalization and advancement of Mercy Corps’ five commitments in their region – climate smart, evidence-driven, innovative and creative, locally-led, and safe, diverse and inclusive. These commitments underpin the goals and outcomes of P2P across our operations and programs. They will collaborate closely with working groups and team members at the regional, country, and program levels to advance shared priorities and integrate global commitments into the region’s organizational culture.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Act as a key partner for the Regional Vice President to achieve an effective Regional Management Team, alongside the Deputy Regional Director, Operations, that is positioned to deliver programmatic and operational excellence to achieve significant impact and influence in the region. 

• Provide strategic direction across the regional portfolio, supporting the development of compelling country-level strategies and annual implementation plans that integrate with a coherent regional strategy and are aligned with Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibility.

• Provide overall programmatic leadership and oversee program performance across the portfolio, in close partnership with the DRD-O. Ensure that all programs in the portfolio achieve the highest possible impact through a focus on strong technical quality, sound program management systems and practices, a focus on innovation, and strong systems for evidence and learning. Partner closely with global technical teams to ensure that programs receive effective technical and program management support for program design and delivery and proposal development.   

• Work closely with the DRD-O to support effective program planning, budgeting and management. 

• Support oversight and accountability for complex and flagship programs of comparatively large budgets, ambitious scopes, and high visibility, within the region and engage as a strategic leader so that implementers remain accountable to delivery. Play a leading role in managing complex programs in the region when necessary.

• Lead the development and execution of a Regional Evidence and Learning Agenda, working with regional and Global teams to establish regional research and learning priorities that advance evidence, learning, and influence objectives within the region and are connected to global strategic priorities, underpinned by our evidence-based commitment. 

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• In partnership with the Regional Vice President, motivate, empower, and guide teams towards excellence. Ensure a positive team culture and work environment. Fill in as needed for Regional Vice President and for field leadership. Directly supervise Country Directors as stipulated by the RVP.

• Supervise the Regional Awards Management Team (AMT) the AMT Team Lead and ensure that strong systems and processes are in place for the effective administration of donor awards. Ensure that teams across global support offices work together as a cohesive regional program support unit and collaborate closely with country teams to ensure effective grant administration. 

• Supervise the shared Regional Technical, Evidence and Quality (TEQ) team – along with the DRD-P Asia – including the Regional TEQ Director and/or any additional technical or programmatic resources at regional level. Line management of regional programs as relevant. 

• Supervise the Regional Crisis Analysis Team, including the regional Senior Crisis Analysis Manager.

• Supervise the Business Development Team, including the Regional Senior BD Advisor to ensure prepositioning and business development efforts are relying on effective systems to optimize fundraising capacity.

• Co-manage the Multi-Country Office (MCO) structure – along with the DRD-Operations in MENAE – including the management of the MCO Portfolio Director and other Complex Programs Directors or Chiefs of Party as needed within the MCO.

• Ensure that dual managed team members with either Asia DRD-P or Global Technical teams have a deep understanding of their roles and are connected to relevant stakeholders across the agency to inform and promote agency strategies and best practices.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews.

• In the event of a major disaster or emergency in the region, work directly with Mercy Corps Emergency Response Team to coordinate an appropriate and timely response. 

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & PORTFOLIO GROWTH

• Oversee Business Development functions in the region to ensure the submission of high-quality, strategically aligned proposals that lead to growth of the regional portfolio. This includes line management of regional Business Development team members, support to country offices with strategic positioning for new awards; and ensuring effective collaboration across teams for the submission of quality proposals.

• Support country and regional teams to identify, explore, and pursue funding opportunities that support regional and country strategy objectives.

• Oversee the development of concept notes, proposals, and other funding requests, ensuring quality submissions that maximize chances for success, including sourcing technical expertise and other resources to assist with proposal development.

• Position Mercy Corps for strategic funding opportunities that build on country and/or regional programmatic priorities

• Develop systems to understand regional Proposal Development metrics, including data analytics around win rates, analysis of monthly PRODEV BvAs, PRODEV ROIs, etc. and work with the regional team to analyze data and identify strategies to maximize the chances of success. 

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with global and regional donors and partners and engage with prospective donors to shape and influence their strategies and funding priorities, in alignment with the Regional Vice President’s strategic vision.

• Develop and nurture strong external relationships and networks to support program success, including regional coordination platforms and advocacy bodies.

• Identify and pursue areas for thought leadership, including building connections with civil society leaders, government officials, donors, private sector partners, relevant diplomatic missions, academics and other stakeholders that center communities and people impacted by crisis and climate change.  Work with the Regional Vice President to ensure that Mercy Corps’ evidence and learning agenda is aligned to regional influencing objectives.

• Serve as a respected representative for Mercy Corps in the region, promoting the organization’s capabilities, expertise, innovation, strategic vision and values. 

COMMUNICATION

• Encourage program coordination and information sharing within and between countries and connect teams to ideas, partners and resources to drive creative solutions for greater impact.

• Maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other regions, facilitating the gathering and sharing of experiences and lessons from other regions.

• Represent Mercy Corps at external events to build voice, brand, and influence.

• Along with the Regional Vice President act as a key liaison between headquarters, regional management, and country teams to effectively publicize program innovations and successes.

• Help to ensure timely and targeted communication and information flows that highlight Mercy Corps’ regional and global impact. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Regional Vice President and the regional management team to lead the planning and preparation of regional gatherings, strategic meetings, program exchanges, learning events, etc.

• Assist with the identification, location, set up and transition of Mercy Corps offices as necessary.

• As a seasoned leader, the Deputy Regional Director, Programs will be expected to provide cover for the Regional Vice President, Country Directors within the region, or other strategic leadership gaps should they arise.

• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. 

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

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

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

Awards Management Team Lead, Technical Director, Regional Technical Resources & Quality Director, Managers/Directors of Regional Programs. and other technical team members (as relevant). Regional MEL/Evidence & Learning Focal Point, Regional Institutional Fundraising Specialist(s) are also dual managed with global structures for associated competencies.

Budget Management Responsibility 

Responsible for overseeing a departmental budget of approximately 2 million USD. Supporting the planning of country program budgets within the regional portfolio of approximately 500 million USD

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Confident communication and facilitation skills applicable to donor relations and inter-agency coordination.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and solve complex problems at an organizational level.

• Ability to handle multiple issues at one time, especially in emergency situations, and to organize and prioritize accordingly. 

Required Education and Experience

• BA/S in international development, social science, public or business administration or other relevant fields required, MA/S or equivalent years of experience strongly preferred.

• At least 10 years field experience in senior management and direct program implementation; experience in complex/fragile environments is a plus.

• Direct experience managing and supervising large teams, as well as staff mentorship and development.

• Demonstrated proficiency and experience with US, UK, EU, UN and other public and private donors, government grant and financial management requirements.

• Demonstrated understanding of the critical humanitarian and development issues in the region, and significant experience with the challenges and contexts of operating in the region. 

• Significant experience in strategy development, program design/development and planning.

• An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Arabic is considered advantageous

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

While it is preferrable for the applicant to be based within the MENAE Region, they can work remotely if their location is within a +/- 3h difference with Jordan and have the right to work in the location where they are based. The role requires up to 30% travel to the region, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment 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.

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).