Deputy Team Leader, SCAFIN (Scaling Climate-Smart Agribusiness Finance) DRC

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.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps is present in the DRC since August 2007 with a current workforce of more than 300 national and expatriate employees and operational presence in Goma and Beni (North Kivu Province), in Bunia (Ituri Province), in Tshikapa, Kalonda West and Ndjoko Punda (Kasai Province) and in Kinshasa. As a leading NGO in DRC working with more than 40 partners in 2024, Mercy Corps reached 2.12 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Kasai with integrated programs that ensured equitable access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in humanitarian and development settings; supported a comprehensive, rapid response to ongoing humanitarian needs; promoted economic and livelihood development to strengthen food security and resilience; as well as institutional capacity strengthening and social cohesion to foster peace and good governance.

Green Growth Programme Component 3: Scaling Finance for Established Agri-businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo forms part of FCDOs Green Growth Programme (GGP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This component aims to increase access to finance for climate-smart agribusinesses, catalysing private investment and promoting sustainable economic growth. The programme will work with financial institutions, impact funds, and agribusinesses to expand the use of innovative financial products, improve access to finance for DRC firms, and incentivise lenders and investors to support green activities such as the uptake of resilient seeds, irrigation systems, and solar technologies. Through a combination of technical assistance and catalytic grants and guarantees the programme will mobilise additional private capital including debt and equity financing, strengthen financial markets, and build the resilience and productivity of DRCs agricultural sector. This component forms part of FCDOs broader efforts to promote low-carbon, climate-resilient development and deliver measurable results under the UKs International Climate Finance (ICF) commitments.

The Position (General Position Summary)

Working closely with the Team Leader and partners, the GGP Component 3 Deputy Team Leader (DTL) will lead the design, implementation and management of activities and partnerships with local financial institutions and work closely with the main delivery partner to mobilise additional financing to achieve the programmes objectives and. As the second most senior leader in the programme team, the DTL will also support the Team Leader to represent the programme and the consortium to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementing actors, and stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAMME STRATEGY EXECUTION

Support on setting and refining the vision and strategy of the programme, ensuring alignment with donor priorities, programme objectives, and the evolving financial and agribusiness landscape in the DRC.

.Create and manage workplans to implement the strategy and support the evidence-based adaptations to the programme strategy to respond to shifts in market dynamics, policy environment, and the needs of agribusinesses and financial service providers.

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COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION

• Lead the creation and management of partnerships with local financial institutions (e.g. banks, MFIs) to implement the agreed activities and achieve programme objectives
• Coordinate and collaborate with the delivery partner to facilitate the provision of additional financing, including debt, to the financial institution (FI) partners from other investors (e.g., impact funds)

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

Create and implement workplans to ensure that FIs provide financing products to the agribusinesses as per programme objectives and targets

Lead the scoping, identification, and management of consultants and other third-party providers to provide market studies, technical assistance, and training to the partner FIs and to support partner activities

Lead the design, implementation, and management of blended finance mechanisms (e.g., loan guarantees) with the partner FIs to mitigate their risk of lending

Support the partner FIs to access additional financing from investors identified by the delivery partner by supporting them to clarify financing needs, structure viable investment models, and create and manage partnerships with investors

Provide regular reporting to the Team Lead as agreed and adjust workplans and partnership agreements as required to meet programme objectives and targets

In coordination with the MEL Manager, ensure robust MEL and quality assurance systems to track progress, inform strategy adaptations, document promising practices and innovations, and ensure technical soundness and compliance with donor and Mercy Corps standards.

Actively contribute to and participate in internal learning reviews, after-action reviews, and consortium-wide learning events to capture lessons that inform the programmes ongoing and future interventions.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Ensure, in collaboration with the Team Leader and partner, that robust risk management systems are in place across all components of the programme.

Contribute to preparedness and response to major disruptive events that could affect programme delivery.

Support the follow-up and implementation of recommendations from internal and external audits.

Work closely with Ethics and Compliance focal points to identify and analyse trends in risk and compliance and implement appropriate corrective measures.

SAFEGUARDING

Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate safeguarding principles into day-to-day work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

Practice the values of Mercy Corps, including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

Encourage openness and communication in their team; encourage team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms, e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

• Partners FoP
• Matrixed management of partner technical and operations focal persons with Partnership counterparts.

Reports Directly To : GGP Component 3 Programme Team Leader, Partner representatives in the Partnershi

Works Directly With:

Country Director, Director of Programs, Other DRC Directors and Deputy Directors, DRC finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Programme Team, HQ Technical Support, Evidence, and Program Quality

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.

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience project management, business administration, finance, economics, development studies, or a related field. A masters degree is desirable.
• Minimum of 710 years of experience implementing complex donor-funded programmes, preferably with FCDO or similar institutional donors (USAID, EU, World Bank, etc.).
• Experience of working with financial institutions (e.g. banks and Microfinance Institutions) to provide inclusive finance to agribusinesses and other underserved markets and customers
• Experience of designing and implementing blended finance instruments (e.g. loan guarantees) to facilitate the provision of finance to underserved groups
• Demonstrated experience in project delivery and operations management, including work planning, budgeting, risk management, and reporting.
• Proven track record in sub-grant and partner management, including due diligence, compliance oversight, contract administration, and performance monitoring.
• Strong ability to interpret and apply donor rules and regulations, ensuring all programme activities and financial transactions meet FCDO compliance and audit standards.
• Experience managing procurement processes, grant disbursements, and partner reporting, with a focus on safeguarding programme funds and ensuring accountability
• Familiarity with project management systems, financial tracking tools, and results frameworks (experience with adaptive management approaches is an advantage).
• Experience coordinating across multiple implementing partners and technical teams, ensuring effective communication, documentation, and progress tracking.
• Strong financial literacy and budget oversight skills, with experience reviewing expenditure reports, forecasts, and justifications.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and mitigate delivery risks, including fiduciary, reputational, and operational risks.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills for engaging with implementing partners, donors, and government counterparts.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and deliver to tight deadlines in dynamic or high-risk environments.
• Experience in Africa, preferably in DRC or other frontier markets, is highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. French fluency is required.

The DTL is a seasoned programme and people manager with proven ability to lead with vision and inspire teams to excel. S/he is adept at stakeholder engagement and negotiating consensus and compromise with a strong commitment to fairness and transparency and decision-making. The DTL demonstrates high levels of political acumen and strategic thinking in the management of donor and stakeholder relations and acts with conflict-sensitivity at all levels of interaction. S/he is a highly organised planner and multi-tasker, a creative problem-solver, a skilled communicator, and a role model of Mercy Corps core behaviours and organisational principles.

The position is based in Kinshasa, DRC. Housing for this role is in a private apartment under housing allowance regulations. The rest and recovery cycle follows the Country Office R&R policy. Kinshasa has limited security regulations and has many options for healthcare, shopping, restaurants, and social life.

The position requires regular travel to various locations within Kongo Central, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, and Kwango. This may include unstable areas with strict security rules and limited amenities. Living conditions in the field locations are clean and secure, but basic. While conditions in much of the country are improving, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity, and petty crime is present. Mercy Corps' offices experience variable levels of insecurity and adapt their procedures accordingly. Due to poor infrastructure, air travel is often necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. The Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. There area number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although it must be noted that imported goods can be more expensive than in other locations.

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

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 e-learning 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)