Sahel Program Director

Sahel Program Director

Department: Programs function – West and Central Africa

Location: West and Central Africa region (Senegal, Niger, Chad, and beyond)

Employee Type: Full-Time, Regular

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization. In the West & Central Africa region, Mercy Corps operates in countries including Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, and Chad. Programs in West Africa address both humanitarian crises and development challenges, empowering people to survive crises, build better lives, and transform their communities.

Position Summary

The Sahel Program Director is part of the regional program leadership team, working closely with the Regional Vice President and Deputy Regional Directors. They 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 with Mercy Corps’ three P2P impact priorities: 1) Addressing Urgent Needs, 2) Accelerating Climate Solutions, and 3) Driving Economic and Food Security. The Sahel Program Director focuses on building productive relations with donors, partners, peer agencies, and stakeholders in the Sahel sub-region. They are responsible for the successful delivery of high-impact programming that meets donor commitments and adheres to Mercy Corps’ program management standards. They work closely with the Regional leadership team to ensure the Sahel portfolio delivers programmatic excellence through established and responsive systems.

Essential Responsibilities

Representation & Partnerships

• Represent Mercy Corps programs with regional and international stakeholders in the respective countries and in the region/Dakar as needed, in close coordination with Country/Program leads, Multi-Country Program leads, and the regional leadership team.

• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local NGOs, civil society organizations, and academic institutions, in close collaboration with Country Managers.

• In close coordination with Country/Program Managers and Regional leadership, identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, governments, and other stakeholders.

• Connect analysis and evidence from the field with advocacy efforts.

Business Development

• Drive Business Development Strategies in the Sahel and regionally with the support of Regional/global Business Development leads, Technical and Award Management Teams, and actively support Country/Program Managers to prioritize proactive and evidence-based, participatory program designs.

• Ensure go-no-go decisions remain in line with agency priorities and strategy.

• Develop strategic donor relationships in the Sahel toward funding the strategy and impact Mercy Corps wants to achieve in each country and at the regional level.

• Provide leadership and quality assurance on program design processes.

• Apply the agency’s best practices in proposal development efforts for institutional donors.

Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Support the development and operationalization of the countries’ strategies and operational plans, in close collaboration with Country and Program Managers.

• Develop new and innovative program approaches in line with country and regional strategies based on needs and donor trends.

• Maintain deep understanding of the social, political, environmental, and economic context in all countries to inform programming.

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