Uganda: Project Manager-One Vacancy based in Northern Uganda (Gulu or Lira) (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only)

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 is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency with headquarters in the UK and USA operating in over 44 countries. The agency exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes community-led, market-driven interventions through public, private and civic sector partnerships. After more than a decade of operation in Uganda, the Mercy Corps country team has differentiated itself as a forward-thinking, market-driven agency, having implemented or currently implementing nearly 40 programs, valued at over $141 million, changing the lives of over 2.5 million Ugandans and refugees. In Uganda, some of our donors include USAID, SIDA, DFID, WFP, US Department of State; MasterCard Foundation, and ECHO, with over 20 programs and projects currently in operation in 30 districts.

General Position Summary

The Project Manager will provide leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of a new project on microenterprise development in the districts of Lira, Oyam, Kitgum, Agago, Amolatar and Dokolo, managing staff and resources, and partners. The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that the project meet targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The project will include an entrepreneurship boot camp for 200 microenterprises along with awarding of microgrants to up to 35 microenterprises. The Project Manager will supervise staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. He/she will report to and work with the Deputy Director of Programs to engage in program representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.

This position is contingent on funding. Funding is estimated to be awarded in September and start date for the project will be in October.

Essential Job Responsibilities

1.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 program 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.

2.Partnership Management/ External Representation

• Independently establish, maintain and grow productive working relationships with 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.

3.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.
• 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.
• As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that other staff are able to engage in this organizational learning and career development opportunities.

4.Program 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Project Officers, MEL Officer, Project Assistants

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Director of Programs

Works Directly With: Country Directors, Finance and Operations teams, MELC team

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.

Knowledge and Experience

· MA/S or equivalent in international development, economics or related field preferred.

· Minimum of 3 years’ senior-level experience with positions of progressively greater responsibilities; At least 5 years of overall experience in microenterprise development programming.

· Demonstrated success in programs related to economic and market development programming.

· Proven skills in financial 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 government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments.

· Prior experience with bilateral funding agencies is required. Practical experience managing umbrella grants involving NGO and academic and research institutions.

· Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

· A strong leader and team player, with good communication, negotiation and diplomatic 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.

How to apply: Submit your application through email to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org addressed to the Human Resource Director, Mercy Corps Uganda. Include a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Friday, 19^th October, 2018. Subject of email should include the position you are applying for**.** Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.