MCC Representative for Zambia & Malawi Volunteer

Job Synopsis

The MCC Representative for Zambia & Malawi facilitates, coordinates and provides direction for all of MCC’s involvements in Zambia & Malawi, both with partners as well as with its diverse staff. This includes building on annual and strategic program direction/planning, budgeting, developing and supporting national staff and expatriate service workers, developing and overseeing partnership relationships/grants and the provision of other kinds of technical and PME&R (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting) support, and maintaining key relationships and networks. This position is supervised by the MCC Area Directors for Southern & Central Africa and Nigeria.

An MCC Rep role may be filled with a married couple sharing the role, with a single person, or with a married candidate whose spouse is not interested in a Rep role, in which case MCC would discuss possible roles for the spouse. MCC will consider a variety of options to support the Rep in their roles and responsibilities, based on the qualified candidates who apply.

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required for all MCC Representative Positions:
Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent
Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred

Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).

1. Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization. Ability to create an environment on the team that is supportive of staff who may experience oppression or sexual violence.
2. Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department).
3. Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording.
4. Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups.
5. Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making.
6. Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources.
7. Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution.
8. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others.
9. Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others.
10. Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged.
11. Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness: Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting.
12. Financial Management: Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.
13. Program, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.
14. Previous experience in making well-informed, effective and timely decisions, taking into consideration impact and implications within local and regional context.
15. Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Representative without bias or conflict of interest, with ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.

For this specific assignment:

1. Creativity and Innovation: Ability to generate new approaches and viable solutions.
2. Organizational Awareness: An understanding of the structure and organizational culture of large non-profit organizations, such as MCC, and ability to work successfully within the structure to achieve results.
3. Development of Others: Ability to foster worker development by providing a supportive learning environment.
4. Partnering: Ability to seek and build alliances that further MCC objectives and benefit all people.
5. Conflict Resolution: Ability to bring conflict and dissent between others into the open to arrive at constructive solution while maintaining positive relationships with all parties.
6. Risk Taking: Ability to identify, assess and manage risk while striving to attain objectives.
7. Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand and process complex information and exercise sound judgment, considering the situation, the issues and the key players. Is able to propose course(s) of action that further the objectives, priorities and vision of the program and/or MCC.
8. Team Leadership: Assumes a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results.
9. Writing Skills: Can communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. MCC Vision and Mission – Be the carrier/communicator of institutional identity in relationship to: Local partners, church, government, other international NGOs ii. MCC workers: Nurture understanding of and respect for MCC values and witness; reflect upon and communicate the spirituality of the team

2. Oversight of Country Program – Direct and oversee implementation of regional priorities and country-specific strategies

a.Select, build, maintain and strengthen relationships with partners
b. Prepare and administer long-term country strategies
c. Plan, monitor, report and evaluate projects
d. Facilitate, coordinate and respond to disasters, including those that generate unexpected additional resources and require shifts in focus of time/energy and requiring development of immediate and/or short term plans
e. Understand and ensure compliance with local laws vi. Coordinate and strengthen local advisory committees

3. Management of MCC Resources

a. Prepare, monitor and evaluate annual goals and objectives in the context of a multi-year strategic plan
b. Prepare and monitor budgets in accordance with strategic and annual plans and in alignment with Financial Management Policies
c. Develop and monitor financial record-keeping and reporting, taking corrective action where needed
d. Develop and maintain lists of inventories of equipment, including computers, vehicles, etc. along with replacement plans e. Maintain and update registration documents in respective countries
f. Ensure resource stewardship across the country
g. Prepare and monitor project reporting
h. Receive and respond to worker reports
i. Ensure maintenance of personnel records and other documents for MCC Records and Archives
j. Manage Material Resources distribution as needed
k. Provide information about the country situation…. through PlanWin, Annual Plans and Reports, Learning Tours, and written communication.

4. Select, supervise, and motivate MCC workers: International Service Workers, International Staff and National staff

a. Negotiate suitable assignments and write assignment descriptions
b. Select highly qualified international staff and national staff using predetermined criteria based on job content and organizational values
c. Provide orientation for new workers, including language study
d. Create an environment where all individuals are comfortable openly addressing concerns/opinions
e. Ensure spiritual, emotional and professional support for workers
f. Monitor relationships between workers and partners with whom they work
g. Implement MCC Human Resource policies and assist in policy interpretation for workers
h. Conduct timely performance appraisals and End-of-Term reports for service workers and international staff
i. Ensure workers’ compliance with MCC values and witness
j. Develop and/or monitor compensation, benefits and policies for national staff

5. Teambuilding: build and maintain MCC personnel team

a. Clarify team expectations regularly
b. Monitor team relationships
c. Lead team in decision making
d. Demonstrates skill in resolving difficult situations, drawing on a variety of resources

6. Hospitality: arrange for hospitality as needed

a. MCC program and support staff, as well as MCC constituents from North America
b. Others who are travelling in the country and who are interested in the work of MCC

7. Represent the Country to MCC and Constituents

a. Cultivate and maintain awareness of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts of the country/region
b. Provide information about the situation, needs and resources of the country/region to the Associate /Area Directors and others within MCC and to MCC constituency

8. Relate to the local church

a. Maintain good relationships with local Anabaptist churches by: minimally visiting churches and church leaders, attending their annual meetings, and including their representatives on advisory committees
b. Regular attend a local congregation

Challenges

Extreme Heat;Occasional overnights;Occasional long days;Work requires healthy boundaries;Occasional evening and weekend work;Local church not supportive to LGBTQ+ persons

Start Date

01 Jul, 2025

Term Length

4-5 years

Salary Details

. Compensation for international roles is calculated based on prior experience and anticipated living expenses of the household in the location of service.

Benefits

In addition to a monthly compensation amount based on the sum of relevant allowances, MCC Rep would receive the following benefits;

Travel expenses to and from assignment,
Housing,
Transportation related to work,
Education for children benefit,
Retirement Plan,
Life Insurance and Death Benefits,
Student Loan reimbursement benefit,
and End-of-term benefits

Location Description

While the position oversees Zambia and Malawi, the Country Representative(s) will be located in Zambia. Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa. The terrain of Zambia is mostly high plateau. Most of the country is classified as humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small patches of semi-arid steppe climate in the south-west.

There are over 70 languages spoken in Zambia, however, English is the primary language of education. Although people may know English, local languages are commonly spoken informally during work settings as well as in social settings. In Lusaka, Nyanja is widely spoken. ChiTonga is the predominate language in Southern Province where MCC Zambia’s primary partner, the Brethren In Christ Church (BICC), is located. Cell phone coverage is widespread and enables ease of communication. High speed internet is available in Lusaka, including at the MCC office and guesthouse. Reliable internet is available while traveling via 3G modem.

Zambia is in a malaria area and taking anti-malarial medication and other precautions to reduce the risk from mosquito bites is strongly advised. Private medical clinics with some specialty doctors and dentists are available in Lusaka and serve the general health needs for MCC personnel. There are counseling and mental health services available in Zambia. Serious medical issues requiring intensive care or surgery would result in the service worker being transferred to South Africa. There are multiple daily flights to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lusaka: The MCC Representative(s) live in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. Lusaka is diverse, home to nearly 2 million people and has a large expatriate and NGO population. Although Zambia is predominantly Christian, there is a visible and growing Muslim and Hindu population in Lusaka. The economy has been growing in recent years which is evident in the many newly paved roads and western style shopping malls that have been built. Most commercial products are able to be purchased in Lusaka. Quality schools are available. In contrast to the large modern malls, only a small percentage of the city’s residents have access to reliable water, sanitation and electrical services. The majority of the people live in “compounds” on approx. $2.00/day.

During the dry season of May – October the environment can be dusty, which may aggravate allergies or respiratory conditions. Temperatures in the hot season in September to November can reach the high 30s C (90s F).
MCC Zambia Office, Representative Residence and Guest House: The MCC office, Representative’s residence and guest house are on MCC owned property. The main building is divided into residential quarters for the MCC Representative(s) and the MCC Zambia office. The large well treed yard has a self-contained two bedroom chalet that is used as a guest house for MCC staff members when they are in the capital and other MCC related visitors. The MCC compound is within a 10 minute drive to shopping, movie theatres, and other services. Due to electrical load shedding in the last few years, the home is now equipped with solar power that allows the office to function during electrical outages.

MCC programme: The MCC Zambia programme currently has 7 projects, 5 partners and 13 personnel which is a mix of national staff and service workers. The programme is focused on food security, peace building, education and Connecting Peoples. In Malawi, the program has 1 large food security project that is managed by two service workers.

There are six MCC Zambia staff (SW and National staff) that work out of the MCC Lusaka office located on the MCC property. These staff members provide administrative and hosting support for the Reps, as well as program support in peace building, PME and connecting people’s work. These Lusaka based staff all report directly to the Reps. The remainder of the MCC team are either working alongside partner organizations in Lusaka, or located in Choma District (a five hour bus ride away). The Reps travel out of town on average once per month. The Zambia Reps are a part of the Southern, Central Africa and Nigeria Region (SCAN) that meets in person twice per year and are supervised by the Area Directors for SCAN who are located in Kigali, Rwanda.

Tagged as: Malawi, Mennonite Central Committee, Zambia