• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in humanitarian studies, international development, or related field preferred.
  

• Minimum 7–10 years of humanitarian programming experience, including leadership in emergency response contexts.
  

• Demonstrated experience in rapid program start-up and large-scale humanitarian implementation.
  

• Strong knowledge of donor compliance requirements (e.g., OCHA, BHA, ECHO, etc.).
  

• Proven ability to establish program management systems including workplans, budget trackers, and monitoring tools.
  

• Experience working in insecure and conflict-affected environments required.
  

STRATEGY & START-UP MANAGEMENT

• Lead rapid start-up of humanitarian interventions in line with donor requirements and Mercy Corps standards.
  

• Develop and operationalize detailed implementation workplans, sector timelines, and start-up checklists.
  

• Establish practical program management tools including budget trackers, activity trackers, and field monitoring dashboards.
  

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & QUALITY

• Oversee field implementation to ensure activities are delivered on time, on target, and on budget.
  

• Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps technical standards, Sphere standards, protection mainstreaming, and Do No Harm principles.
  

• Support program managers in troubleshooting operational bottlenecks and maintaining implementation momentum.
  

FINANCE, BUDGET & COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT

• Establish and monitor budget tracking tools to ensure timely burn rates and prevent under and overspending.
  

• Conduct regular BvA reviews with program and finance teams during the start-up phase.
  

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps financial procedures.
  

COORDINATION & REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps in coordination forums as delegated by the Humanitarian Programs Director.
  

• Strengthen relationships with local authorities, partners, and coordination bodies.
  

• Ensure alignment with OCHA coordination structures and humanitarian architecture in Borno State.
  

TEAM LEADERSHIP & CAPACITY SUPPORT

• Provide mentoring and structured support to sector leads and program managers.
  

• Promote accountability, collaboration, and high performance across the emergency team.
  

• Support recruitment, onboarding, and orientation of surge staff where necessary.
  

• Foster a culture of teamwork, urgency, and professionalism during rapid response operations.
  

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns 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.