Deputy Project Manager

General Position Summary:

The Deputy Project Manager (DPM) will support the effective implementation of the Fresh Horizons Phase II project in Hadramout, under the direct supervision of the Project Manager. While the Project Manager holds overall responsibility for strategy, donor relations, and technical oversight, the DPM will ensure that day-to-day activities in Hadramout are implemented in line with the work plan, budget, and project vision.

The DPM will coordinate the local project team, oversee field-level execution, and ensure timely delivery of planned activities. They will play a key role in facilitating local partnerships with vendors, cooperatives, and authorities, and will serve as the project’s primary operational lead. The DPM will also be responsible for collecting field insights, monitoring delivery quality, and flagging issues for resolution, contributing to project learning and adaptation.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the daily delivery of project activities in line with the approved work plan and MSD principles
• Supervise and mentor local project officers, ensuring strong teamwork and accountability.
• Facilitate the operational rollout of training sessions, vendor engagement, cooperative support, and leasing/warranty pilots.
• Liaise with local authorities, cooperatives, vendors, and MFIs to support smooth project implementation and relationship management.
• Oversee planning and preparation of field procurement and logistics needs in coordination with the operations and finance teams.
• Monitor activity quality and progress; identify implementation issues and escalate to the Project Manager with recommended solutions.
• Support data collection, verification, and analysis in collaboration with the MEL team.
• Maintain documentation of lessons learned, emerging risks, and opportunities to improve inclusion, sustainability, and market engagement.
• 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.
• If relevant, briefing or training any external personnel such as when working with service contractors or subaward partners.

Supervisory Responsibility: Business Training Project Officer, 2 Cooperative Project Officers, Private Partnerships Officer

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Project Manager
• Works Directly With: Project Officers, MEL Officer, Finance and Operations teams, Vendors, Cooperatives, Local Authorities, Training Providers

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, business administration, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in project planning, implementation and coordination or field management, preferably in livelihoods/fisheries, market systems, or private sector engagement.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating implementation in fragile or low-income settings.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with local authorities, private sector actors, and community stakeholders.
• Strong planning, coordination, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with FCDO or other donor-funded projects and compliance requirements is an asset.
• Fluency in Arabic required; working proficiency in English preferred.

Success Factors:

The successful candidate will be a practical, solution-oriented implementer with strong coordination and team leadership skills. They will bring experience managing field teams in complex environments, and interpersonal tact to engage local stakeholders constructively. The DPM will be adaptable, inclusive, and committed to delivering results through teamwork and problem-solving, while maintaining alignment with the strategic direction set by the Project Manager. Strong communication, ownership of field delivery, and accountability to communities will be essential for success in this role.

Team Efficiency 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 that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.