Team Lead - General Food Distribution Project

Location: Panyijar, South SudanPosition Status: Full-timeContract Duration: 7 monthsRisk Level: X Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1About Mercy CorpsMercy 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 solutionsinto action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.Now, and for the future.DEPARTMENT/ PROGRAM SUMMARYMercy Corps South SudanMercy Corps has been present in South Sudan since 2005 and acts on behalf of people who have become displaced and disenfranchised by the ongoing conflict. With funding from a multitude of donors including the UK Department for International Development (DFID - FCDO), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), European Union, NORAD, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Private Foundations, Mercy Corps has been able to empower people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. In South Sudan our work focusing on the delivery of timely humanitarian interventions, improving food security and livelihood options through and market systems development, and governance for supporting civil society empowerment With emphasis on conflict-affected youth, women, as well as IDPs and host communities, we champion and lead state-of-the art relief and recovery approaches through gender mainstreaming, market systems development, partnership, addressing root causes, adaptive management, and resilience approaches.THE POSITIONThe Project Team Lead will provide leadership and oversight for the GFD program, reporting to the Director of Programs. The program delivers lifesaving, in-kind food assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflict, floods, displacement, and economic shocks in Panyijiar, Leer, and Mayendit, following WFP GFD SOPs to ensure safe, equitable, and accountable distributions.The Team Lead is responsible for managing project implementation, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations, compliance requirements, and donor conditions while maintaining scope, schedule, and budget. The role integrates cross-cutting considerations such as gender, disability, and safeguarding, applies the Do No Harm principles, supervises procurement and administrative staff, and oversees project facilities and assets to support efficient and compliant operations.Essential ResponsibilitiesStrategy and Planning* Lead monthly GFD implementation planning across Panyijar, Leer, and Mayendit. * Ensure alignment with WFP SOPs and Mercy Corps strategic objectives. * Analyze project performance trends to inform strategic decisions. * Experience leading the implementation of Early Recovery Activities (ERA)Project Management* Lead planning, implementation, and monitoring of GFD activities across target counties. * Ensure compliance with WFP SOPs, FLAs, FDPs, and Sphere standards. * Develop implementation, staffing, procurement, and distribution plans. * Ensure integration with nutrition, FSL, protection, and gender programming. * Oversee beneficiary targeting, ration calculation, and correct entitlement distribution. * Ensure distribution sites meet WFP safety and crowd management standards and are adequately staffed. * With the support of the Warehouse/logistics manager, ensure the warehouses always meet the MC and WFP standards. * Support National NGO partners to achieve project objectives while ensuring implementation remains within scope, budget, and agreed timelines.FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT* Monitor budgets, expenditures, and burn rates with Finance teams. * Review Budget vs Actual reports and address variances. * Ensure cost efficiency, donor compliance, and proper financial documentation. * Support financial forecasting, procurement planning, audits, and budget revisions.TEAM COLLABORATION & COORDINATION* Work closely with Programs, Logistics, Finance, HR, Security, and MEAL teams. * Participate in management and coordination meetings. * Collaborate with Operations teams on pipelines and donor compliance. * Promote teamwork, knowledge sharing, and coordination with WFP and partners.TEAM LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING* Build staff capacity on WFP distribution procedures, targeting, accountability, and reporting. * Conduct field visits, coaching, and performance feedback. * Promote staff wellbeing and compliance with security protocols.MONITORING, EVALUATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEARNING (MEAL)* Ensure beneficiary targeting, registration, verification, and PDM. * Oversee complaints and feedback mechanisms and ensure timely response. * Ensure accurate and timely reporting to WFP and Mercy Corps systems.LOGISTICS AND COMMODITY MANAGEMENT* Coordinate with supply chain teams on the delivery, storage, and handling of commodities. * Monitor warehouse management, stock tracking, waybills, and documentation. * Ensure compliance with WFP commodity management and reporting requirements.ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING* Dedicate time to learning activities that strengthen Mercy Corps and personal professional development.SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES* Integrate safeguarding into program implementation and risk mitigation. * Uphold Mercy Corps values and respect the dignity and well-being of communities and staff. * Encourage open communication and reporting through established mechanisms. * 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 Corp,s 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 optionsSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY* Program Officers * Protection Officers * Gender Officers * MEAL Officers * Warehouse/Logistics ManagerACCOUNTABILITYReports Directly To: Director Of ProgramsWorks Directly With: FSL Advisor, MEAL and CARM Manager, HR Manager, International Senior Finance Manager, and Logistics TeamACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDERSMercy 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.Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS* Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred. * 5–7+ years managing humanitarian food assistance or food security programs, including at least 3 years in senior field management roles in complex humanitarian contexts (South Sudan preferred). * Proven experience managing WFP-funded GFD programs, FLAs, large-scale food distributions, beneficiary targeting, and commodity management. * Experience in early recovery activities, CASH programming, Market Systems Development, and resilience is a plus * Minimum 10 years of supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to lead teams to achieve results. * Strong knowledge of WFP SOPs, commodity management, Sphere standards, and humanitarian principles. * Experience operating in access-constrained, remote, or insecure environments. * Experience in capacity strengthening for staff and local partners, and maintaining audit-ready documentation. * Strong writing skills, budget development, workplan preparation, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. * Demonstrated ability in coordination across HQ and in-country teams and multiple stakeholders, with a results-driven and problem-solving approach.SUCCESS FACTORSA successful Project Team Lead -GFD will demonstrate the highest professional standards of ethics and integrity, with a strong commitment to enforcing compliance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies and donor regulations. The Team Lead will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with internal teams, WFP, government authorities, NGO partners, and other stakeholders on sensitive or confidential matters. They must be able to navigate complex and challenging field conditions in a calm, analytical, and methodical manner.The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and process information to support adaptive programming in a dynamic humanitarian context. A strong understanding of humanitarian food assistance and development programs, coupled with the ability to analyze operational and financial data and clearly present findings and recommendations, is essential for success in this position.LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONSThe position is based in Panyijar, Unity State, South Sudan, and requires frequent field travel within the project area to support GFD activities. Travel may include insecure or remote locations with limited access to basic services and amenities, and where freedom of movement may be constrained. Staff are expected to adapt to challenging field conditions while maintaining operational effectiveness and personal safety.ONGOING LEARNINGIn 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 developmentTEAM ENGAGEMENT AND EFFECTIVENESSAchieving 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 OPPORTUNITYMercy 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 & ETHICSMercy 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]).HOW TO APPLYhttp://app.jobvite.com/m?3mUKpnwh