Portfolio Director – JORDAN & YEMEN

Location – Amman, Jordan

Position Status National and Expat, Full Time, Regular, Exempt 

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 transitioning to Prosper Global. As the transition is being implemented by location, you may see the Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used concurrently during this period. This is an administrative transition, and our teams, programs and commitments continue without interruption

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long-term impact.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps implements a variety of programming throughout the MENA/Europe region in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs of the region. Mercy Corps has ongoing programs in Yemen and Jordan.

Mercy Corps is committed to delivering high quality, high impact programming that reaches communities or individuals in need, wherever they are.

Mercy Corps just launched its new strategy, ‘’Pathway to Prosperity’’, which reflects our ambitions to not only meet basic needs of communities affected by conflict and climate, but to achieve lasting, transformational change at scale. Pathway to Prosperity (P2P) includes a three-layers resilience approach at its core and aims to deliver impact through three key outcome areas: Addressing Urgent Needs, Accelerating Climate Solutions, Driving Economic and Food Security.

As a result of recent funding disruptions, Mercy Corps MENAE Leadership has decided to optimize resources and create efficiencies by creating a new structure for smaller country portfolios under the management of a multi-country office. This role is the product of this structural change decision.

General Position Summary 

The Portfolio Director for Jordan and Yemen is the senior leader accountable for the overall portfolio management of the country portfolios under its oversight. The PD ensures that country strategies and operations are aligned with Mercy Corps’ regional and global strategic direction and that programs are delivered with quality, impact, accountability, compliance and appropriate stewardship of resources. 

The Portfolio Director provides integrated leadership across programs and collaborates closely with support functions, including Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Security and Risk. The role establishes clear accountability and decision-making frameworks across geographically dispersed teams while ensuring that each country portfolio receives the level of leadership and support required by its context, size, risk profile and strategic priorities. 

The Portfolio Director leads the development and adaptation of country strategies, oversees program performance and business development, ensures strong financial and operational management, and maintains an effective risk and compliance environment. The role is responsible for ensuring that organizational structures, people strategies, systems and resources remain fit for purpose as portfolios evolve, including during scale-up, transition, close-out or changes in funding. 

As Mercy Corps’ senior representative for the Jordan and Yemen portfolio, the Portfolio Director  develops and maintains high-level relationships with donors, government counterparts, partners, peer organizations and other key stakeholders. The PD works closely with Regional Leadership and global teams to mobilize support, escalate material risks, and ensure that decisions are timely, evidence-based and aligned with organizational priorities.   

Essential Job Responsibilities  

STRATEGIC VISION & LEADERSHIP

• Provide overall strategic leadership and ensure that country strategies and operational plans are developed, regularly reviewed and adapted to changing contexts, funding environments and organizational priorities.

• Ensure each country portfolio is aligned with Mercy Corps’ regional and global strategy and that strategic priorities guide programmatic, operational and resource-allocation decisions.

• Maintain a deep understanding of the political, social, economic, humanitarian, security and regulatory context across the countries and translate contextual analysis into strategic decisions.

• Lead strategic transitions, including scale-up, consolidation, restructuring, program closure and shifts between humanitarian, recovery and development programming, as relevant.

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment in which diverse perspectives, evidence and learning inform decision-making.

• Ensure the countries maintains an appropriate operating model, leadership structure and level of support for the size, complexity and risk profile of each country portfolio. 

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for the design, implementation, quality and performance of all programs through the direct management of Program Managers.

• Ensure programs are delivered on scope, time and budget and in accordance with donor requirements, Mercy Corps policies, Program Management Minimum Standards and relevant technical and humanitarian standards.

• Ensure robust program review and performance-management systems provide leadership with timely information for decision-making, adaptation and risk management.

• Promote evidence-based and community-centered programming and ensure monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems are effectively used to demonstrate results and inform decisions.

• Ensure strong coordination between country teams, Regional Program and Technical teams, and global technical resources to strengthen program quality, technical coherence and learning.

• Ensure safeguarding, accountability to affected populations, Do No Harm, inclusion and other organizational commitments are embedded throughout program design and implementation.

FIELD PROGRAM OVERSIGHT

• Work closely with multi-Country support functions (HR, Operations, Finance, Security) as relevant to ensure close check and controls;

• Ensure strong communication and collaboration lines are maintained with Program Managers and the program field teams;

• Ensure responsiveness and appropriate levels of in-person and remote support to all country programs, with regular visits to various countries and field offices, when possible;

• Ensure that learning from the field contributes to development and implementation of compelling evidence-based products to support business development and advocacy initiatives. 

PROGRAM QUALITY, EVIDENCE & LEARNING

• With the support of the Regional Program Teams (Business Development, Award Management, TRaQ and Evidence and Learning), support and guide the Program Managers and their program quality, evidence and learning teams (e.g. MEL, CARM) in establishing systems, policies and approaches necessary to ensure and demonstrate the quality of programs and incorporate learning into decision making;

• Ensure that proper Monitoring and Evaluation tools in line with Mercy Corps guidelines and policies are effectively used by the programs teams;

• Ensure that all the programs team members have received training in line with their level of responsibility and receive technical support relevant to their programs;

• Ensure strong coordination and collaboration is happening between Regional Technical teams and field teams to provide expert advice and ensure technical consistency and soundness across programs;

• Promote an evidence-driven culture, contributing to the establishment of the countries’ evidence and learning priorities, in line with the regional Evidence and Learning Agenda. 

 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Lead and oversee business development strategies for the countries, ensuring that funding priorities are aligned with country strategies, organizational capabilities and intended impact.

• Build and maintain strategic donor relationships and position Mercy Corps for relevant funding and partnership opportunities.

• Lead or oversee go/no-go decisions, ensuring proposed opportunities are strategically relevant, operationally feasible, appropriately resourced and consistent with Mercy Corps’ risk appetite.

• Provide leadership and quality assurance for program design and proposal development, drawing on evidence, learning, technical expertise and meaningful partner engagement.

• Monitor donor trends and changes in the funding landscape and ensure we proactively adapts its positioning and portfolio strategy 

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Lead the Senior Management Team and create a collaborative, accountable and inclusive leadership environment across countries and functions.

• Directly supervise Program Managers and relevant senior leaders, setting clear expectations, delegating authority appropriately and holding leaders accountable for results.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and where resilience, well-being, inclusion and psychological safety are actively supported.

• Ensure effective workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning and leadership development in partnership with Human Resources and Regional Leadership.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide regular, constructive performance feedback; ensure performance management processes are timely, fair and meaningful.

• Ensure senior leaders and teams have access to the information, tools, resources, coaching and technical support required to perform effectively.

• Foster collaboration across programs and support functions and between country, regional and global teams. 

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Provide overall accountability for the financial health and operational effectiveness and ensure resources are managed transparently, efficiently and in line with donor and Mercy Corps requirements.

• Work closely with Finance leadership to oversee country budgets, financial forecasts, cost structures and master budgets, and ensure timely corrective action where material variances or risks arise.

• Ensure new budgets and funding decisions are aligned with approved organizational structures, workforce plans and operational requirements.

• Work with Operations leadership to ensure procurement, logistics, administration, asset management and other operational systems effectively support program delivery and comply with organizational standards.

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, Mercy Corps policies, applicable laws and internal controls, and ensure material compliance concerns are escalated and addressed appropriately.

• Promote a culture of integrity and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct, ethics, safeguarding and related policies and procedures. 

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps at senior levels with donors, government counterparts, consortium partners, local and international organizations, civil society, private-sector actors and other stakeholders, as appropriate.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships that strengthen Mercy Corps’ credibility, influence, partnerships, funding opportunities and program impact across the  portfolio.

• Ensure external representation is coordinated across country teams and aligned with Mercy Corps’ strategic positioning, values and risk considerations.

• Connect evidence and analysis from country programs with relevant advocacy, policy and influencing priorities in coordination with Regional Leadership and global teams.

• Maintain a high degree of political and contextual awareness, impartiality and cultural sensitivity when representing Mercy Corps across diverse operating environments.

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.   

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. 

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:  Program Managers in Jordan and Yemen

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Regional Programs Director, Middle East and Europe Region  

Works Directly With: support functions (Finance, Operations, HR). 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.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field required; MA/S or equivalent preferred.

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in international relief and development, including senior country-level or multi-country leadership responsibility; prior Portfolio Director or comparable senior leadership experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex and geographically dispersed country portfolios across humanitarian, recovery, resilience and/or development contexts.

• Previous experience working in the MENA region and strong understanding of the region’s political, humanitarian, regulatory and donor environment.

• Demonstrated ability to provide integrated leadership across programs, finance, operations, people, security, risk and compliance functions.

• Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian and development system, institutions and donors, including compliance requirements, accountability frameworks and sector best practices.

• Experience with major institutional donors such as USG, FCDO, ECHO, European donors, UN agencies, foundations and private donors.

• Robust experience developing, operationalizing and adapting country strategies and leading organizations through transition, growth, restructuring or funding change.

• Demonstrated success in external representation, donor engagement, negotiation and partnership development resulting in strengthened positioning and/or new opportunities.

• Experience managing significant budgets and ensuring sound financial stewardship, internal controls and donor compliance.

• Demonstrated experience leading senior and diverse teams, including remotely, and building strong leadership, accountability and collaboration across functions and locations.

• Experience operating in insecure, politically sensitive or rapidly changing environments and making sound decisions under pressure.

• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, influencing, negotiation and coaching skills.

• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate strategy into practical action.

• Excellent oral and written English required; proficiency in Arabic is an asset.

Success Factors  

The successful candidate is a decisive, critical, and collegial professional with solid management and leadership skills. They have a thorough understanding of what it takes to deliver impactful programs in challenging environments. They are excellent communicators who can inspire broad and diverse teams towards achieving a shared goal and drive a fast-paced and adaptive program. They are able to create a stimulating working environment encouraging innovation, creativity, ownership and accountability. They are a confident representative in public settings, able to speak up when needed to and influence key stakeholders internally and externally to further and expand Country Programs’ goals in , Jordan, and Yemen. They are able to work effectively with a diverse team in sensitive and highly fluid environments to prioritize team building and capacity-building of national team members. They have excellent information management skills and is able to translate strategy into action and also an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structures of Mercy Corps in Jordan, and Yemen.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The position is based in Amman, Jordan. This location is currently an unaccompanied position. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Team Members will have access to medical, electricity, water, etc. This position requires (50% of time) of travel to field offices, some in insecure environments.  

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 Mercy Corps 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.