Major Responsibilities:
55% Provide overall leadership and administrative oversight to all international program
20% Lead the interface between MCC Canada and MCC U.S. within the jointly managed international program
20% Organizational alignment and collaboration
5% Represent MCC Canada in external and internal settings
Duties
General Responsibilities
- Ensure the Gospel of Jesus Christ is reflected in the performance of all responsibilities and through personal example
- Participate in regular staff meetings, spending time in devotions and prayer with all in attendance
- Model nonviolent peacemaking through daily interactions with staff and the public
- Participate in a local church and gatherings, being willing to use his or her gifts within the local faith community
- Provide direction, support, and team leadership to program staff so that they may develop spiritually and professionally and to ensure that they work together to achieve the purposes of the organization
- Other duties as assigned
55% Overall Leadership
- Develop, implement, monitor, and report on cohesive long range and annual program plans aligned with the Board approved direction
- Lead annual program and budget planning; monitor monthly financial reports; participate in quarterly budget review meetings; and manage expenditures within approved budgets and policies
- Steward MCC Canada’s International Program resources, including resources provided through government and coalition partnerships such as Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)
- Monitor country registration, legal requirements, and organizational compliance across the international program
- Supervise, coach, and support international area directors, global and thematic department leaders, as well as the IP Office Supervisor for International Program
- Provide leadership in creating and maintaining a culture that prevents and responds appropriately to abuses of power, including safeguarding concerns, harassment, discrimination, fraud, exploitation, retaliation, and other conduct inconsistent with MCC's values and policies
- Foster a healthy organizational culture by developing leaders, mentoring staff, promoting collaboration, strengthening accountability, and supporting the spiritual and professional growth of employees
- Provide leadership in identifying, assessing, and mitigating strategic, operational, safeguarding, financial, legal, security, and reputational risks impacting MCC's international program
- Ensure policy frameworks approved by the MCC Board are implemented appropriately across program areas
- Foster innovation and continuous improvement by encouraging responsible initiatives, shared learning, evidence use and the strengthening of systems, policies and practices
20% Joint MCC Canada/MCC U.S. International Program Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership for MCC’s international program in close collaboration with the Director of International Program in MCC U.S.
- Coordinate joint planning, program priorities, standards, resource decisions, and implementation across the jointly managed international program
- Strengthen shared accountability, communication, and alignment between MCC Canada and MCC U.S. International Program Leadership
- Ensure international program structures and processes are evaluated periodically for clarity, efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and alignment with covenant agreements between MCC Canada and MCC U.S.
- Contribute to joint leadership forums and working groups that oversee the Canada-U.S. international program relationship and follow through on agreed actions
20% Organizational Alignment and Collaboration
- Participate actively as a member of the MCC Canada Senior Leadership Team and contribute to organization wide planning, decisions, and leadership
- Collaborate with provincial MCCs to understand their interests and invite meaningful engagement in international program
- Build alignment and collaboration between International Program and other MCC departments, offices, and organizational entities
- Develop leadership capacity through mentoring, succession planning, learning opportunities, stretch assignments and thoughtful delegation
- Create conditions for effective teamwork across geographic, cultural and functional boundaries, including inclusive consultation, constructive conflict engagement and shared accountability for decisions
- Support equitable and consistent people practices across international program in partnership with Human Resources, recognizing the legal, cultural and operational realities of different country contexts
- Lead or sponsor cross-departmental initiatives and organizational change affecting international program, with clear attention to consultation, communication, implementation readiness and impact on staff and partners
5% Representation and External Relationships
- Represent International Program and strengthen relationships with MCC offices in Canada and the U.S., Anabaptist groups in Canada, the U.S., and internationally, peer agencies, and other external partners
- Articulate MCC’s international program vision, priorities, approach, results and learning to boards and staff
- Communicate MCC Canada’s international program priorities and complex global issues clearly in internal and external settings
- Listen to and integrate relevant perspectives from partners, communities, churches, supporters and sector peers into strategic reflection and organizational learning
- Travel is frequent, both nationally and internationally, including to the U.S., as required. The travel may sometimes be in challenging conditions.
Contact/Relationships:
The Senior Director builds and maintains key relationships across MCC Canada and MCC U.S. including with the Executive Directors, Senior Leadership Team, provincial Executive Directors, International Program leaders, and leaders in Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and Communications and Donor Relations. The role also works closely with MCC partners, constituent groups, Anabaptist churches, peer agencies, government and coalition partners, and international networks.
The position represents MCC Canada’s foundational commitments and international program priorities in internal and external settings and communicates complex programmatic and global issues clearly to varied audiences.
Supervision:
In collaboration with the MCC U.S. Director of International Program and the Associate International Program Director, the Senior Director supervises a combination of international area directors, global and thematic department leaders, and International Program administrative leadership. The position currently has approximately 12 direct reports and collaborates closely with other national and international program offices.
Complexity/Competencies:
- Strategic and systems thinking across diverse programs, countries, organizational structures, and stakeholder interests
- Ability to interpret global economic and political realities and translate them into clear program priorities and action
- Sound stewardship of personnel, financial and material resources, and physical assets
- Capacity to synthesize substantial written information and practical experience into a cohesive program direction
- Sound judgment, adaptability, and decisiveness when responding to crises, competing priorities, and ambiguous or sensitive situations
Independent Action:
The incumbent exercises significant independent judgment in the planning, implementation, evaluation, and stewardship of MCC Canada's international program. The role reports to the MCC Canada Executive Director and leads program management and administration in close collaboration with the MCC U.S Director of International Program and within Board approved strategy and policy.
Initiative and Ingenuity:
The position requires initiative, strong problem-solving skills, and adaptability in complex program, crises, and personnel situations. The Senior Director identifies opportunities to improve MCC systems, policies, and procedures in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Communication/Interpersonal Skills:
The role requires exceptional communication, diplomacy, consultation, and relationship building skills. The position entails not only networking with program leadership in International Program, Canada, and the U.S., but also coordinating with other departments. The position duties require extensive consultation and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Strong internal working relationships are required with the MCC U.S. Director of International Program, the Associate International Program Director, area directors, advocacy directors, the co-directors of PLDR, and the directors of Finance, CDR, HR, and IT.
Mental/Physical/Visual Demand:
The position requires sustained attention to complex issues, extensive reading and analysis, and the ability to maintain a broad network of relationships. Significant amount of national and international travel is required, including extended travel by air and over land and travel in rugged or challenging conditions.
End Result:
The Senior IP Director ensures that MCC's international program is mission aligned, strategically focused, financially responsible, accountable to stakeholders, responsive to global realities, and achieving measurable outcomes in support of MCC's relief, development, peacebuilding, and service objectives.
