Uganda: Program Officer (3) Positions in Yumbe and Rhino Camp( Open to Uganda Nationals)

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change through the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create resilient, economically inclusive, healthy, and secure communities. Our work focuses on building resilience and enabling economic growth, improving opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, improving governance and conflict management, and bridging humanitarian response with longer term development outcomes. We implement programs in Acholi, Karamoja and West Nile Sub-regions, as well as eastern Uganda and the greater Kampala area with funding from USAID, Sida, US State Department, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.

Mercy Corps implements multiple economic development programs in and around the refugee settlements of Bidibidi, Palorinya, and Rhino Camp in West Nile. The programs include: 1) developing a proof of concept for the use of Market Systems Development/Market Facilitation in the refugee settlement context and surrounding host community; 2) supporting refugee and host community farmers with access to agricultural inputs, building capacity of agro dealers and off takers to expand businesses into the settlements and 3) supporting access to mobile phone technology for refugee and host communities. The programs work closely with private sector partners who aim to expand operations in target geographies for increased business performance while also improving access to markets for farmers and traders.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified Ugandan to fill the position of Program Officer with a focus on the Livelihoods and Market Development/Economic Development sector. Reporting to the Senior Program Lead, the Program Officer will be responsible for implementing livelihood and market activities in Rhino Camp of Arua district, including the monitoring of farmers associations. As needed, Program Officer will be expected to support all interventions of the programs. Specific activities will include strengthening relationships with existing community structures, assessing beneficiaries based on vulnerability criteria; mobilizing community members for assessments and registration of beneficiaries; supporting the development of a platform for e-vouchers and payment; and any other activity as needed. S/he will have experience with livelihood programming, VSLA groups as well as income generating activities. S/he be a creative, action-oriented problem solver with strong experience in partnership management.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Planning, developing and implementing livelihood and market activities

1. In coordination with Program Manager and Officers, mobilize community members, taking care to identify those who fit the pre-established vulnerability criteria, for registration and other activities.

2. Support community sensitization activities around farmers associations, trade fairs and other income generating activities in two zones of focus in Bidibidi Settlement. Identify specific topic areas of information needed and develop clear communications plans to effectively disseminate information.

3. Support development of voucher platform and its implementation in the field.

4. Support implementation cash distributions on a monthly basis to Persons with Special Needs

5. Under guidance of Program Manager, Officer and M&E Officer, participate in any market assessment and baseline/endline data gathering needs.

6. Support the development of vulnerability criteria and beneficiary registration tool.

7. Support data collection activities including post-distribution monitoring and after action reviews for key activities. Continuous improvement of activities will be expected based on this information.

8. Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary.

9. Maintain proper filing systems

10. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Uganda and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

11. Any other related duties assigned **

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field is preferred.
• 3 - 4 years’ background EITHER in humanitarian response activities, preferably in livelihoods OR Market Systems Development/M4P/market facilitation a MUST.
• Strong community mobilization experience a must.
• Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information in order to identify key messages and clearly communicate those messages to other people.
• Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of Office applications.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment mandatory.
• Proactive, problem-solving action orientation is essential.
• Organization will prioritize candidates from West Nile or with extensive experience in West Nile.

SUCCESS FACTORS: The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of West Nile. S/he will be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and able to work difficult and often stressful environments. S/he will be committed to the work of Mercy Corps and the objectives of this program. They will demonstrate their dedication with a strong work ethic, attention to detail and creative problem solving. on:right;

Applications: Submit your application including a cover letter CV (with 3 referees), and latest copy of academic qualifications/certificates to the Senior HR & Legal Manager, Kampala Head Office ,

E-mail applications toug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org

Deadline for Submission: Close of business by 5:00pm February 16, 2018 Only **short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. ‘Mercy Corps Uganda is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Any canversing will lead to disqualification. ***Qualified women are encouraged to apply***