Job Description
Project Manager and Executive Assistant to the COO – US
Operations & Logistics Washington, District of Columbia
Location: Washington, DC or US remote (EST)
Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Exempt
Starting Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $64,000-$76,000
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long-term impact.
The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)
The Office of the COO is designed to maximize Mercy Corps’ operational efficiency and effectiveness to achieve its vision. This Office of the COO is responsible for operational leadership, which will include process efficiencies and change management.
The Office will focus on improving systems and operations with the goals of increased alignment, accountability, and the efficient allocation of resources as we work to execute the organization’s new strategy.
The Position
- The Project Manager & Executive Assistant will focus on providing high-level executive and administrative support to the Chief Operating Officer, including executive staffing, travel assistance, scheduling support, and project management.
- The Project Manager & Executive Assistant will build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, peer groups, senior leadership, and Mercy Corps’ Executive Leadership Team. They will quickly and effectively summarize complex information into clear, concise writing.
- The Project Manager & Executive Assistant will have a clear understanding of Mercy Corps’ mission and collaborative style of operation with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment supporting the COO with day-to-do project management. The Project Manager & Executive Assistant will be flexible and will have the ability to adapt to changing conditions and requirements.
Essential Responsibilities
ADMINISTRATIVE AND EXECUTIVE SUPPORT
- Provide primary administrative and executive support for the COO, including coordination and maintenance of her appointment and complex travel schedule, expense reports, visa applications, itineraries, etc.
- Liaise with the HQ and global teams to provide information and follow-up on key inter-team meetings.
- Provide planning and logistical support for key meetings, conferences and training events, including arrangement and preparation of venue, collection and dissemination of necessary documents, logistical support for participants and communication and required follow-up with all parties involved.
- Participate in high-level meetings involving the COO and manage notetaking and action points, while maintaining confidentiality.
- Maintain trackers, calendars and internal web content for the office of the COO.
- Maintain tracking and coordinate management of signature needs ensuring that signatures are handled in a timely way to relevant requestors.
- Provide proofreading, editing and formatting support for department documents.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders in implementing new projects and initiatives.
- Support internal and external COO communications.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Lead management for key initiatives on departmental and interdepartmental projects owned by the COO and the Senior Director, Operations Management.
- Develop planning, sequencing and tracking of the above, including systems to do so efficiently. Steward and refine the COO key products, deliverables and tools including work plans and reports.
- Drive effective teamwork, communication, and collaboration across multiple stakeholder groups and liaise with the HQ, Regional Program Teams, and other global teams to provide information and follow-up on inter-team projects and initiatives.
- Support with proposal submissions and coordination with Regional Program Teams on issues letters, follow-on questions and other donor communications as needed.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUPPORT
- Prepare the COO for the board as well as external engagements, including support for and compilation of briefing materials, PowerPoint presentations, as needed.
- Support as required for Board of Director meetings, occasionally provide assistance to travel manager, miscellaneous administrative support.
- Prepare professional reports, summaries, and presentations as requested.
Supervisory Responsibility None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Chief Operating Officer
Works Directly With:
- Executive Leadership Team, Board Liaison, Executive Team, Senior Director – Operations Management, Regional Teams and Leadership, Safety & Security, Administration & Facilities, Global Procurement & Logistics, Global Audit, Ventures, and Innovation teams.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
- BA in a relevant nonprofit field and international experience required.
- Professional experience support operations or support service initiatives
- 4+ years of professional experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, research, and written communication skills.
- Strong writing and editing skills, significant expertise editing other people’s writing.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively gather and summarize large amounts of and at times, complex information from various sources.
- Prior experience with executive staffing, including executive meeting preparation, schedule management and travel arrangements strongly desired.
- 4+ years’ experience working as part of an Operations or Support Services Team for an international organization/nonprofit.
- Excellent computer skills required, including familiarity with the MS Officer 365 Suite including: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Google tools.
- Ability to take initiative and complete work or solve problems with minimal guidance while prioritizing tasks across the department.
- Sensitivity, skill and experience with public relations and correspondence to a wide variety of public constituents including media, donors, U.S. Government officials and international delegates as necessary.
- Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and cooperatively with team members.
- The ability to take direction as well as work independently.
- Experience maintaining a high level of confidentiality on sensitive matters.