Program Skills Lead (PLDR)

Canada or United States, Multiple Locations

Job Synopsis Reporting to the co-director of the Planning, Learning, and Disaster Response (PLDR) Department, the Program Skills Lead will lead and coordinate MCC-wide onboarding, orientation, and ongoing training for program staff. Employment eligibility: This term position is available on a salaried basis . Only those candidates who are legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada should apply. MCC offers of employment are subject to criminal background check(s).

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE

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.

Essential:

At least three years of experience in implementing or supporting humanitarian assistance, sustainable community development, or peacebuilding projects

Practical and theoretical knowledge of outcomes-based planning, monitoring, and evaluation for humanitarian relief, development, and peacebuilding work

Strong facilitation and teaching skills, with experience using adult education approaches

Extensive experience in planning and facilitating workshops and other learning events, including in intercultural and virtual settings

Dynamic presenter who can convey information in an engaging fashion and stimulate participatory learning

Strong writing and speaking skills

Experience developing online modules for learning management systems

Ability to keep multiple projects moving ahead simultaneously

Bachelor’s degree

Police record check

Preferred:

Competency in more than one language desirable (Spanish or French preferable)

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Understanding of participatory methods for conducting situation assessments, planning, monitoring, and evaluation

Anti-oppression commitment MCC expects all staff to actively participate in an organization culture that focuses on dismantling any barriers based on race, economic inequality or gender-based oppression. This includes an expectation to assess and address any barriers within themselves, within their team(s), and within MCC.

Safeguarding commitment All MCC Staff are expected to work collaboratively to create and maintain an organizational culture that prevents and responds to situations of abuse of power (sexual harassment, child abuse, racism, exploitation, and fraud among other situations).

PLDR Lead Provide support to MCC programs to assess, manage, and monitor risks related to safeguarding, fraud, and other abuses of power in project design, implantation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Key Responsibilities Major Responsibilities: 40% Ongoing training in PMER skills for program staff 20% Introducing new staff to PLDR and PMER skills 20% Facilitating cross-program learning 10% Supporting program skills development system-wide 10% Coordinate efforts with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Lead

Ensure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is exemplified in the performance of all job responsibilities and through personal example.

Participate in regular staff meetings, spending time in devotions and prayer with all in attendance in local MCC setting

Model nonviolent peacemaking through daily interactions with staff and the public

Participate in a local church and gatherings, being willing to use gifts within the local faith community

Duties 1. On-going training in PMER for program staff – 40%

Lead the ongoing development and implementation of MCC’s annual Program Training Institute

Maintain the library of training resources (past presentations and materials) within PLDR SharePoint and direct PLDR and program staff to relevant materials as requested

Maintain a calendar of PLDR training activities and events

Arrange for interpretation at department-led trainings

Train and equip departmental colleagues and other program staff on effective online and in-person adult education approaches.

Collaborate with colleagues within the department and beyond (e.g., HR, financial services, IT, safeguarding, racial equity) to identify training priorities and to develop different types of in-person and virtual training opportunities to address those priorities.

Coordinate with staff to highlight in all program trainings how MCC’s operating principles shape its program.

2. Introduce new staff to PLDR and PMER at MCC – 20%

Support onboarding by sending an introductory email new program staff and initial “meet and greet” on behalf of PLDR, familiarizing them with MCC’s PMER system and the work of the department; coordinating with the MERL Lead for onboarding program staff to Insight.

Lead sessions at MCC’s general orientations and leadership orientations about PMER and MCC’s operating principles

Lead Program Skills Week (PSW) twice-annually as part of orientation for new program staff

Coordinate with staff in human resources on department’s connection to general and leadership orientations.

3. Facilitating cross-program learning – 20%

Co-organize and host quarterly virtual gatherings of the PME Network with MERL Lead, identifying focus topics and presenters aligned with the project cycle

Oversee and support program-related Communities of Practice (CoPs) by maintaining a master calendar, tracking participation, and supporting facilitator teams

4. Supporting program skills development system-wide – 10%

Provide recommendations and support to staff seeking to implement new training or development initiatives for program staff

Identify and support program skills development opportunities across the MCC system, including IP, domestic programs, and GSL

Act as liaison and support for other departments (HR, IT, and Finance) seeking to provide training, support, or professional development to program staff

Help develop modules for MCC’s Learning Management System.

5. Coordinate efforts with the MERL Lead – 10%

Co-facilitate PME Network

Ensure alignment and coordination of training initiatives and onboarding

Produce monthly PLDR PME Network Newsletter

Other duties as assigned

Other duties as assigned

Travel Travel to Akron, Pennsylvania, for a week-long meeting the week of June 7-11, 2027

Contact/Relationships Works closely with the PLDR co-director, MERL Lead, PLDR colleagues, and program staff across MCC’s international, domestic, and Global Service Learning programs. Regularly collaborates with Human Resources, IT, Finance, Safeguarding, and Racial Equity staff to coordinate onboarding, training, and professional development. Builds relationships with facilitators, presenters, Communities of Practice, the PME Network, and interpretation providers. Contacts are organization-wide, intercultural, and often virtual, involving staff in Canada, the United States, and international program locations.

Supervision This position does not directly supervise any other positions.

Complexity/Competencies The role requires specialized knowledge of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for humanitarian assistance, community development, and peacebuilding programs. Responsibilities are not fully standardized and require the employee to adapt training content and delivery methods for different roles, programs, cultures, learning needs, and virtual or in-person settings. The position manages multiple training initiatives, learning events, resources, calendars, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously. Key competencies include adult education, facilitation, instructional design, written communication, intercultural awareness, project coordination, organization, and the ability to use learning management and collaboration systems.

Independent Action Works independently to plan, coordinate, and deliver established onboarding, orientation, and training activities within departmental priorities. Determines appropriate learning methods, schedules, resources, facilitators, and approaches for individual initiatives. Independently maintains training resources, calendars, Communities of Practice information, and regular communications. Consults the PLDR co-director or appropriate organizational leaders when decisions involve significant changes to departmental strategy, policy, budget, organizational commitments, or system-wide priorities.

Initiative and Ingenuity Regularly identifies gaps and opportunities in program staff learning and recommends new or improved training approaches. Develops and adapts workshops, online learning modules, orientation sessions, resources, and cross-program learning opportunities. Uses creativity to make complex PMER concepts practical, engaging, and accessible across cultures and learning environments. Anticipates training needs, connects staff with relevant resources, and supports continuous improvement in MCC’s program skills development systems.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills Frequently explains specialized PMER concepts, operating principles, processes, and learning resources to staff with varying levels of experience. Leads workshops, orientation sessions, Program Skills Week, the Program Training Institute, PME Network gatherings, and other virtual and in-person learning events. Communication requires strong facilitation, presentation, writing, active listening, diplomacy, and the ability to encourage participation. The role must build trust, coordinate across departments, respond constructively to feedback, and communicate effectively in intercultural settings. It also prepares regular written communications, including the monthly PLDR PME Network newsletter.

Mental/Physical/Visual Demand

Occasionally ascending or descending stairs/ladders or the like

Constantly remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time

Occasionally moving about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another

Occasionally light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds

Occasionally medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds

Constantly repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers

Constantly assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned

During required travel, may be exposed to low or high temperatures, outdoor elements such as precipitation or wind, or noisy or hazardous environments

Routine tasks performed in climate-controlled office or at home

End Result Ensures new and existing program staff have the knowledge, skills, resources, and connections needed to apply MCC’s planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, safeguarding, and operating principles effectively. The role strengthens the consistency and quality of program practice across MCC, supports organizational learning, and improves coordination among departments and program teams. Its work directly affects program staff, PLDR colleagues, departmental partners, Communities of Practice, and ultimately the communities and partners served through MCC programs.

Occasional overnights

Start Date

16 Nov, 2026 - Yes

11-12 months

Salary Details

Base salary: $67,952 - starting salary in Canada. Starting salary range in the US is $60,751.37 to $67,501.53

Canadian benefits:

MCC Canada (MCCC) has a Group Benefit plan which is paid by MCCC, it includes Supplemental Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Life Insurance, AD&D, global medical assistance, RRSP contribution match, Employee Accidental Death, Dismemberment and Specific Loss, and Dependent Life Insurance. These benefits are effective on your first day of employment with MCC Canada. U.S. benefits: 12 month term - Medical, dental and vision, 23 days paid vacation, sick time and 10 holidays/year. Life insurance provided, as well as long- and short-term disability coverage. The retirement plan, with MCC contribution of 7%, begins after six months of employment.

Additional Information

That AI is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants for any position.

All job postings are for an existing vacancy.

Location Description This position may be located in the following countries:

Canada

United States (States where MCC is registered)

Location Other - Canada or United States Canada or United States Canada or United States, Other - Canada or United States, Canada or United States

Industry Employee

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) works in diverse cultures around the world. All personnel must support the mission and core values of MCC and respect the values of our supporting denominations and program partners.

Respond to a set of eligibility questions.

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