PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT 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.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Deputy Program Director (DPD) is a national staff position. The DPD will work on the supervision of the Director of Programs (DOP) to manage a division of the Mercy Corps Uganda portfolio. The division will include the Acholi portfolio, up to four programs focused on agriculture, economic and market development, and access to financial services, with a focus on youth, funded by USAID, the US State Department, Sida and MasterCard Foundation. The DPD will be responsible for supervising all aspects of day-to-day project implementation, including coordination of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) with the Senior MEL Manager, meeting reporting deadlines, and ensuring teams have workplans and systems in place to meet targets and deadlines. In addition, the DPD will be responsible for developing and rolling out a countrywide communications strategy, in close coordination with the Senior MEL Manager. The DPD will work in coordination with the DOP, and desk officers on new program development, leading and/or overseeing the process of proposal development when appropriate. S/he provides leadership and mentorship to the program team, is responsible for staff development.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Management
Take leadership role and provide support to ensure that programs are managed and meet the minimum standards for program management at Mercy Corps (PM@MC).
Provide overall supervision to the day-to-day implementation of activities in the Acholi program portfolio.
Promote integration and coordination amongst programs, internally and externally with a number of consortia with a similar mandate in the same geographies in which we work.
Provide market systems, economic and micro-enterprise development technical support to all programs.
Program Implementation
Ensure programs are implemented in ways that are responsive to the communities, in line with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic planning, and follow Mercy Corps compliance procedures.
Directly supervise relevant program managers.
Provide overall direction to daily implementation plans, ensure programs are coordinated and create opportunities for strategic discussion from the field teams to management and vice versa on implementation issues.
Oversight of the development and preparation of high quality donor reports for all programs under supervision prior to submission to the donor.
Program Development & Assessments
Assist/Lead in the development of proposals, including conducting needs assessments in new geographies or follow-in programming in existing geographies.
Design Planning Monitoring Evaluation Learning and Communication (DPMELC)
Lead development and rollout of countrywide communication strategy, in coordination with annual plan which details Mercy Corps Uganda’s influence plan.
Coordinate with the Senior MEL Manager on tracking programmatic objectives, developing high-quality MEL plans and integrating continuous learning into the portfolio of programs..
Ensure all new programs are developed and designed to the highest possible standards, with rigorous MEL plans integrated from the outset.
Commitment to Staff Development
Work with Senior Mercy Corps Uganda Staff to recruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient national and expatriate team; incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management systems into team building processes.
Ensure all program staff under DoP management have Individual Operating Plans (IOPs) and are reviewed and provided with feedback on a formal basis.
Mentor and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development for program staff in accordance with Mercy Corps’ commitment to excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.
Management and Administration
Maintain effective operational systems, including finance, logistics, security, and administration across two field offices in Gulu and Kitgum.
Ensure transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
Act as DOP, during his/her absence.
Organizational Learning: 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.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
MA/S or equivalent in management, international development or other relevant field; some economic development studies required.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience administering donor grants for a variety of sectoral areas; specific experience in market systems and economic development and micro enterprise development.
Minimum of 5 years’ demonstrated ability to build staff capacity in cross-cultural settings as well as excellent team-building and interpersonal skills.
Minimum of 5 years of field experience, in positions of increasing responsibility.
5 years’ experience with donor requirements of USAID/USG, SIDA, DFID, corporations, private donors and/or foundations.
History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful DPD will apply a strong combination of team leadership, program development and relationship building abilities along with a sense of curiosity, urgency, and joy for the work. Excellent negotiation and communications will provide for continued development of donor and partner relationships. The successful DPD will have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability and the principles of participatory community-led and market driven development. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members make effective communication a priority in all situations and maintain a sense of humor.
HOW TO APPLY:
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 to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org Deadline for Submission: Close of business by 5:00pm August 4, 2017 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*