Uganda: Gender Officer-One Vacancy based in Yumbe (Open to Uganda 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 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

The Gender Officer (GO)’s core responsibility will be to oversee BRIDGE’ Program’s activities and ascertain Gender sensitivity is exercised. This will include support to staff and partner organisations with the recruitment of female beneficiaries / trainees, conduct a gender assessment and train staff in gender awareness training. The GO will also ensure that gender mainstreaming across program sectors like access to finance, agribusiness and extension services. S/he will work closely with Mercy Corps’ West-Nile staff to build their understanding of the Mercy Corps gender policy and the creation and maintenance of a gender-friendly work environment.

Essential Job Responsibilities

· Conduct a gender assessment to identify possible positive and negative consequences on women, men, girls and boys in order to address gender issues, inequalities and concerns in the program logic and MEL framework.

· Following the results of the assessment, specify desired impacts for different groups and adjust this to the program design and measure the impact through indicators.

· Assist with the development and review of training materials to ensure that they are inclusive and address gender concerns;

· Train staff in the use of gender aware training materials and support partners with roll out of community out-reaches that attain positive behavioral and social change. Monitor the replicated trainings with farmers and ensure that female, male and youth participation, learning and general quality remain high;

· Make recommendations for incorporating a gender perspective into farmer interventions in extension and trainings whilst working with teams to ensure that they are implemented correctly.

· Develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies for gender work that could have unintended and negative consequences for the groups that the program seeks to benefit.

· Establish and maintain productive working relationships with district gender officers, coordinators of women’s networks and other stakeholders;

· Review programmatic assessment tools (surveys, questionnaires etc.) to ensure that they are thematically and technically sound from the point of view of gender;

· Support the team with the collection of sex-disaggregated, gender-sensitive data and the documentation of program activities;

· Submit timely monthly, and quarterly reports that reflect program progress during implementation with field proven documented stories.

· Adhere to the country gender policy and humanitarian code of conduct;

· Deliver gender training to staff to build employee capacity to conduct effective gender work;

· Conduct him or herself professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps Uganda and to avoid jeopardizing the organization’s mission;

· Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager

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.

Reports directly to: Project Manager

Works directly with: BRIDGE program team, M&E team, HR, operations, Subgrants partners

Works Directly with: Programs, Operations and Finance teams

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

• A degree in gender and economic development, women’s studies, sociology, law or a related field;
• Between 3-5 years of professional experience in the field of gender and development;
• Familiarity with gender mainstreaming tools (gender analysis, gender assessment, gender risk mitigation and use of gender-sensitive indicators etc.);
• Experience in working with private sector and sub award partners.
• Good negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with a vast audience that have potential to positively impact the Program success
• First-hand knowledge of gender dynamics in the refugee settlements in West-Nile region is a must as well as a basic understanding of the national gender legal and policy framework;
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s rights, human rights and social justice;
• Knowledge and experience in GBV prevention and response an asset;
• Proven skills in networking, collaboration, community consultation and organizational development;
• Demonstrated analytical and writing skills;
• Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills;
• Fluency in local languages is an advantage;
• Proven knowledge and capacity in using basic computer applications like MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the World Wide Web.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of Yumbe. S/he will be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and able to work difficult and often stressful environments.

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.