As the U.S. field office of Mercy Corps, Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW) works to build more just, productive and resilient communities in the Pacific NW. Our programs support up to 2,100 small business owners each year; reduce prison re-entry rates for participants by 50%; improve services at more than 30 local nonprofits; and support under resourced communities with disaster preparedness knowledge.

At MCNW, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to improve their life regardless of their background. By investing in those without ready access to resources, existing economic disparities will become more equitable and motivated, hard-working individuals and families will have opportunities to break intergenerational cycles of poverty for good. For more information about Mercy Corps Northwest, visit www.mercycorpsnw.org

The Business Development Services (BDS) Manager will be responsible for the overall implementation and management of the Oregon Individual Development Accounts (IDA), Microloans, and Master Your Credit (MYC) programs operating throughout the Pacific Northwest. MCNW currently headquarters in Portland, Oregon; however, it is able to serve clients throughout the Pacific Northwest Region. The position directly oversees the Community Navigators, the team that administers the IDA, Microloan, and MYC services to clients in Oregon. The BDS Manager will work closely with the Credit Manager who oversees the microloan portfolio, provides financial and business analysis support to the program team, and provides loan underwriting and credit training to Program Managers and Community Navigators. Furthermore, the position will work directly with the Women’s Business Center (WBC) Manager to coordinate outreach efforts and ensure that MCNW educational offerings are being promoted effectively. The BDS Manager will ensure the expert delivery of programs and, guided by the Director of Programs, lead the expansion of MCNW services throughout the state of Oregon.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy & Learning

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.
• In close collaboration with the WBC Manager, lead the initiatives in Business Development Services by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Seek out, develop and organize activities to secure funding and other support resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Individual Development Accounts

• Directly manage the IDA program in Oregon, ensuring that program deliverables are achieved on time, on budget, and within scope.
• Steward the relationship with program funders (i.e. Neighborhood Partnerships) and service providers (i.e. Inclusive Business Resource Network).
• Develop strategies and coordinate outreach and orientation sessions for potential IDA programs to effectively reach underserved potential clients.
• Participate in and/or oversee application review and participant selection process.
• Oversee the collection of all needed IDA documents for enrollment in the program.
• Manage reporting requirements for this program.
• Ensure that standard operating procedures (SOP) for this program are current and adhered to by program teams.
• Identify and coordinate with affordable and experienced community education providers to provide the training to program participants and assist with outreach.

Master Your Credit

• Directly manage the Master Your Credit program in Oregon and the Portland Metro Area, ensuring that program deliverables are achieved on time, on budget, and within scope.
• Coordinate with community partners and other stakeholders to identify coaches, conduct outreach, and select sites for workshops to take place.
• Manage reporting requirements for this program.
• Ensure that standard operating procedures (SOP) for this program are current and adhered to by program teams.

Microloans

• Develop and steward partnerships with banks, credit unions, community development financial institution (CDFI), and other community organizations;
• Assist Community Navigators with loan inquiries and applications in coordination with the Credit Manager, who will provide the underwriting.
• Work with the Community Navigators to market loan products available throughout Pacfic Northwest.
• Coordinate with the Credit Manager to maintain rigorous risk management of loan portfolio to ensure repayment of loans, managing loan collections and workouts.
• Generally, the BDS Manager does not directly engage with loans clients; however, occasional support working directly with clients may be needed.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to Mercy Corps Northwest’s strategy, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Program Management

• In collaboration with the Sr. MERL Officer, manage and direct the content, method and actual collection of data related to performance and outcomes of BDS programming. Use the data as a tool to evaluate program effectiveness and to adjust programming to improve outcomes.
• Adhere to all MC Procurement, Logistics and Administration regulations related to programming
• Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide. 
• Oversee the program budget, project cash flow and expenditures
• Identify, apply for, and manage funding sources for this program.

Supervisory Responsibility

Community Navigators 

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Works Directly With: Credit Manager, Women’s Business Center (WBC) Manager

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 Qualification & Transferable Skills* 

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please submit a cover letter that clearly shows how your experience meets the minimum qualifications and prepares you to perform the key responsibilities of this role; be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

• BA/S or equivalent in management, business, international studies or economic development or related field of study. U.S. based or international degrees are both acceptable. Professional work at or near the level of this position can substitute year for year for the educational requirement;
• 2 years of program management experience
• 1 year supervisory experience and/or coordinating multiple stakeholders 
• 1 year experience working with and through partners, public/private sector partners, on joint initiatives/businesses.

*Transferable skills: Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer or work or life experience (including the military) that are relevant for this position will be considered. Be sure to describe any transferable skills and how they apply to this position in your cover letter.

Success Factors

• Knowledge and experience in working with or operating small businesses will be a critical advantage.
• Ability to function independently and to coordinate multiple projects both independently and in collaboration with other MCNW programs, staff, and partner organizations.
• Able to effectively lead a team around a shared vision that creates the greatest impact with the communities we serve.
• Ability to form a strategy that incorporates community partnerships, develop a plan that positions their team to succeed, and execute on that plan efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to approach their work with confidence, curiosity, and humility, always leading by example and guided by a learning mindset that positions MCNW on a sustainable path to growth.
• Ability and experience preparing and presenting analytical information as well as demonstrated success with marketing, public relationships, organization and program development and representation.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with a broad and diverse set of stakeholders, on issues relating to community and economic development, financing, small business development, wealth creation and social inclusion.
• Lived or other experience working with low-income and multicultural populations, particularly with women, justice-involved community members, refugees and immigrants on issues relating to business success and community integration.
• Ability to create a stimulating working environment encouraging innovation, accountability, diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Knowledge and experience working with government agencies and other large funders, including developing government proposals and reporting for grants.
• Knowledge and experience with data collection and interpretation for successful program development.
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills as well as computer skills.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. and requires up 30% travel to support programs throughout the state. 

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.