Alumni Talent Pool: Program and Emergency Response Lead Roles
Description
The Alumni Talent Pool is open exclusively to former Mercy Corps team members who were employed within the past 4 years and completed at least 1 year of service.
You do not need to submit a cover letter, a CV/Resume is sufficient.
Application Deadline: 24 October 2025.
You do not need to submit a cover letter, a CV/Resume is sufficient.
Application Deadline: 24 October 2025.
For this round of ATP recruitment, we are particularly interested in applications from candidates at Manager level and/or French Speakers. However, we also welcome applications from qualified alumni at the Director level who may be a strong fit for upcoming Leadership opportunities.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
The Program
Mercy Corps has created an Alumni Talent Pool to support emergency response, transitions and complex program start-up, by fast-tracking Mercy Corps alumni into temporary Senior Program and Emergency Response roles. The initiative focuses on matching qualified team members with urgent country-based needs, for short-term placements (3 months on average). This is an opportunity for senior program leaders that offers more professional and personal flexibility and access to diverse experiences.
The Role
The Role
Mercy Corps alumni who were employed within the last four years qualified to fill Senior Program Roles (Multi-Country Manager, Country Director, Deputy Country Director, Program Director, Program Manager, Emergency Response Lead, or Start-up Team Lead) will be eligible to join the Alumni Talent Pool. Once selected into the Pool, members will have access to short-term opportunities in countries where Mercy Corps operates. Responsibilities and supervisory structures will vary depending on the type of assignment.
When on assignment, members will be eligible for competitive salary and benefits. The eligible salary ranges and a description of all benefits associated with these short-term positions will depend on the type of employment they are hired under and may vary if this is an expat position, consultancy or if the work is done remotely.
Multi-Country Director
- Strategic leadership across multiple countries, ensuring oversight of program design, quality, implementation and compliance for key country programs.
- Oversee multiple Country Managers, ensuring accountability, decision making, and targeted support for priority areas.
- Foster high-performing teams through strong remote leadership, clear guidance and modeling of effective behaviors.
- Drive business development and strategic partnerships, working closely with Country Managers to align donor engagement with country priorities.
- Promote program quality by ensuring programs are based on assessment of emergency needs, sound design principles, robust technical quality and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
- Represent Mercy Corps at the highest levels with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
Country Director
- Responsible for managing programming, operations and security with supervisory responsibility over the country-based team.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.
- Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
- Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
- Represent Mercy Corps programs with government, donors, partners and media.
Emergency Response Lead
- Manage all aspects of a rapid, high quality emergency response, including oversight of resources, operations, safety and security, and programming.
- Navigate humanitarian coordination systems and effectively represent Mercy Corps to government, donors and partners.
- Hire and supervise a senior management team and other response team members while modeling inclusive leadership.
- Oversee program quality and effectiveness by ensuring programs are based on assessment of emergency needs, sound design principles, robust technical quality and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
Director of Programs/Program Director
- Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
- Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Program Management policy and beneficiary accountability standards.
- Provide support to program teams at key moments including program start-up, kick-off meetings, inception meeting check-ins, quality audits and spot checks, and end of program transition meetings.
- Ensure technical excellence by connecting technical resources and support to in-country programming.
- Develop and maintain effective processes to produce high quality donor deliverables and reports
Program Manager
- Lead program implementation to ensure quality, timeliness, and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor standards.
- Supervise program teams, manage budgets and operations, and coordinate with technical and support departments.
- Represent Mercy Corps with partners and stakeholders.
- Monitor progress toward outcomes, and adapt implementation based on learning and context.
- Promote safeguarding, accountability, and program management excellence.
Start-up Team Lead
- Lead cross-functional collaboration to devise a project start-up strategy and plan for the inception phase of the project and/or new country program (first 3-6 months).
- Ensure tools and tracking mechanisms are in place to accurately assess and communicate progress against the start-up work plan, resources (budget and personnel), and issues during start-up.
- Work closely with the HR/Admin team on recruitment, orientation, and training new staff on MC policies and procedures.
- Foster a culture of compliance and accountability among the team with regards to Mercy Corps, donor and government laws, policies, rules and regulations; socialize Program Management Minimum Standards and best practices.
- Prepare a post-startup work plan to guide transition to regular program implementation.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Works to ensure Mercy Corps’ Safeguarding Standards are integrated and upheld in all areas of HR work.
- 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.
The Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview process and to provide professional references; through which we will assess each candidate’s competency in four priority areas - inclusive people management, results-oriented program management, problem solving, and communication. Those meeting the minimum qualifications and demonstrating competency in the priority areas will be invited to join the Pool.
Once selected into the Alumni Talent Pool, members will provide information about their professional experience, qualifications, availability, and preferences. Pool members will then be matched to specific temporary employment opportunities (on average 3 months) as hiring managers request support from the Talent Pool. Pool members will manage their own time and availability and will have the option to accept or decline any particular assignment.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Successful Talent Pool members are self-starters who are ready to dive into an assignment on short notice. They have a positive attitude, are adaptable to changing circumstances, and are focused on problem solving. They have good self-awareness and understand their personal strengths and development needs, which they continuously work on between assignments. Talent Pool members understand it is a privilege to work in this sector and bring this enthusiasm to all their Mercy Corps assignments.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field required.
- At least 5 years of field experience in international relief and development programs.
- Prior experience with Mercy Corps within the last four years, as an employee and/or consultant (Should have worked with Mercy Corps for at least one year.)
- Experience leading teams, managing performance of supervisees, and coaching/ mentoring staff.
- Professional level proficiency in at least one of Mercy Corps’ working languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian); proficiency in multiple languages is strongly preferred.
- For Country Director roles: At least 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
- For Country Director roles: Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
Living conditions will depend on the location of assignment but may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing will depend on the assigned post and will be specified in the position description.
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 ([email protected]).