Country: Uganda
Closing date: 17 Oct 2018
This Position is contingent on funding. Funding will be awarded in September with an expected start date in October.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities. Our works focus on building resilience and enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management. We implement programs in the districts of Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Agago, and Lamwo in Acholi and entire Karamoja as well as eastern Uganda with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.
Mercy Corps has been working in the South Sudanese refugee settlements of West Nile, Northern Uganda since late 2016 where over 1 million South Sudanese have settled over the past few years. We focus on the continuum from cash transfer programming to livelihoods to market systems development to financial inclusion.
General Position Summary
Essential Job Responsibilities
Staff and Program Management
Oversight of all assigned district level teams, coordinate and implement district level activities in line with approved project proposal, budget and within the agreed time frames.
Ensure compliance to all Mercy Corps, Donor and Government of Uganda policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to the implementation of the program with limited supervision.
Ensure project deadlines, quality standards and targets are met, redesigning deadlines, quality standards and targets as needed.
Make on-site field visits regularly to provide technical back stopping and/or design recommendations.
Develop all reports, both internal and external to the donor, with a high level of quality with limited need for revision.
Lead the coordination, management and motivation of teams through ensuring that they have clear objectives/individual work plans as part of performance management and receive constructive feedback on their performance. Ensure work plans are designed collectively with staff and other key stakeholders.
Monitor and lead district level staffing, capacity building and other needs.
Partnership Management/ External Representation
Independently establish, maintain and grow productive working relationships with the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, District Local Government officials and line departments, and private sector, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate, in close coordination with other programs in the same operating areas.
Responsible for engagement with other stakeholders including private sector actors, community-based organizations and other key partners.
Responsible for new business development, identifying new potential partners, leading negotiations of partnerships and leading implementation of any work plans related to such partnerships.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
Take a leadership role in development and revision of MEL system linked to indicators, and information management, in close coordination with MEL team. Lead development of learning documents and case studies to elevate project activities.
Coordinate data gathering and management with all district-based program staff and take overall responsibility for MEL.
Oversee scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of program, with a high level of quality, requiring minimal revision.
Ensure coordination and sharing of information with other district level stakeholders.
Develop evidence base for the models of the project (MSD in refugee response and Innovation Centres) for wider scaling. Develop operational models and business plans where relevant.
P**rogram Support Operations:**
- Coordinate and support of finance, operations and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources.
Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Security: Work closely with the country teams' security focal points to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work. Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.
Representation: Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps and to not endanger mercy Corps' humanitarian mission.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Ethics and Integrity
All Mercy Corps staff member are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.
Supervisory Responsibility
Project Team
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Programs
Works Directly With: Country Directors, Finance and Operations teams, MELC team
Knowledge and Experience
- MA/S or equivalent in international development, economics or related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years' senior-level experience with positions of progressively greater responsibilities.
- Demonstrated success in programs related to market systems development, employment building, and innovative refugee response programming.
- Proven skills in financial management, project management and staff management.
- Demonstrated ability to function as a social entrepreneur and proven success with building, managing and leading a team of professionals and the ability to function as a team player among peers.
- A dynamic, “outside-the-box” attitude is required, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills in English are required.
- Multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments.
- Prior experience with bilateral funding agencies is required, especially DFID. Practical experience managing umbrella grants involving NGO and academic and research institutions.
- Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partner agencies. This includes coordinating with government authorities and counterparts.
- Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
Success Factors
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:
- A strong team player, with good communication, diplomatic and negotiation skills.
- Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.
- Excellent analytical and information management skills.
- Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.
- Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.
- Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
- Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.
- A focus on building staff capacity.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position is based in Yumbe town. Yumbe is the capital of Yumbe District, with a relatively stable security situation and basic amenities. Yumbe has limited health services and no international schools. Yumbe is small with a number of INGOs and expatriate staff based in the town. Water and electricity are generally available with frequent outages. The position requires frequent travel to field sites where one will encounter more basic living conditions. Mercy Corps has a large, well equipped field office in Yumbe. The field location is ineligible for family members.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues
PI104386258
How to apply: