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

Job Title

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

Company/Organisation

Mercy Corps

Location

Kinshasa, DRC

Job Description and Responsibilities

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 programme’s 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

• 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.
• 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)
• 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 programme’s 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.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience project management, business administration, finance, economics, development studies, or a related field. A master’s degree is desirable.
• Minimum of 7–10 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.

How to Apply

No application instructions provided.