Uganda: Program Officer-01 Vacancy based in Yumbe (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 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 Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja as well as eastern Uganda with funding from USAID, US Department of State, Sida, SDC, DFID, ECHO, as well as other private donations.

Mercy Corps is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program officer for the DFID funded 14-months program on Market system development. Taking a market systems development (MSD) approach, the strategy involved channeling coupons for partial subsidies on improved seeds through local agro-dealers, improving agro-dealers’ ability to access quality inputs from national seed companies, promoting land sharing between refugees and host communities, and working with produce trading companies to attract them to the area and assist in developing agent networks.

The project has 7 partners each focusing on their own part of the project. Two Innovation Centres have been built in Bidibidi refugee settlement. The first focuses on agriculture as a platform for developing farming as a business and off-farm microenterprise. The second focuses on technology and social enterprise to engage new opportunities for employment, with support around digital literacy, linkages to employment through a skills mapping and job placement platform, and engagement of existing and new social enterprise concepts that offer employment while also solving social challenges.

The program will be implemented in 3 refugee settlements in West-Nile district

General Position Summary

Mercy corps is looking for an experience, qualified Program officer who will be responsible for the implementation of the BRIDGE project activities in Bidibidi settlement and reports to the project manager. The PD is responsible of the management of market system development; from identification of opportunities, development of concept notes, development of SOW, working together with partners (subaward management) and monitoring of activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Planning, developing and implementing activities

• Introduce program to relevant stakeholders including local business owners, local representatives and community members.
• In coordination with program team and partners, plan, implement and monitor market development activities according to workplan
• Mobilize targeted beneficiaries to fully participate in the program.
• Work together with private sector partner, agents and agrodealers to set up a market network
• Participate in assessments in the target geographic areas to assess current situation, economic opportunities and resources, needs and potential programs as well as challenges.
• Work closely with subaward partners to coordinate all activities that are organised at the Innovation Centres.

• Make almost daily field visits to settlements to ensure good implementation of MSD activities as well as partners’ activities.

• Collaboration/Networking with partners

• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with sub-county leaders, representing Mercy Corps and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed.

• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government, NGOs and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager.

• Work closely with subaward partners at the innovation centres, share and request for relevant project information

• 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.

• Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work closely with M&E to capture data for measuring output and impact of the program; and to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field.

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

• Maintain proper filing system of all activities.

• Accountability to Beneficiaries: BRIDGE team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to direct program participants, engaging them as equal partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of our field activities.

• Any other related duties assigned

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.

Finance & Compliance Management

· Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to food security programming.

Security

· Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

· Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

· Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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: Program Assistant

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance and Operations Team, Program Officers and assistants, Innovations facilitators, partners and Program Manager

Ethics and Integrity

All Mercy Corps staff 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

· Bachelor degree in agribusiness, development, economic development, business management or a closely related field is required.

· About 3-5 years of experience designing, implementing and managing similar initiatives (private sector partnership, economic strengthening, market systems development).

· Experience in market system development is a must.

· Experience in working in refugee settlements is preferred.

· Strong interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English are required.

· Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners is required.

· Strong leadership and proven team building experience is a must.

· Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

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

• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.

· Knowledge of monitor and evaluation and know how to use it during the project

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 Monday, 07^thJanuary, 2019. 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.