About US:
Mercy Corps is an international non-profit organization which implements high-quality, analytical development programmes in very difficult places. Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006. It has and continues to implement programs in Acholi and Karamoja sub regions. Mercy Corps is taking a community-led, market driven approach to address poverty and food insecurity needs through interventions that get to the root causes and contributing factors of economic vulnerability. Donors include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Commission (EC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC).
About USAID Project:
Mercy Corps is implementing the USAID funded five years program on Better Outcomes for Children and Youth in Eastern and Northern Uganda. The program goal is to improve the wellbeing of children and youth orphaned by HIV and other adversities in Uganda. It mainly focuses on orphaned and vulnerable children, youth and their caregivers to have improved access and utilization of health, nutrition, education, and psychosocial wellbeing and reducing abuse, exploitation and neglect. The sector priorities include meeting immediate economic needs of the most vulnerable target groups though temporary interventions to uplift and integrate them in to market systems; increased savings and access to credit opportunities; increased opportunities for income growth and building assets; and better access to group based education and support programming. The program will be implemented in Northern and Eastern Uganda.
Job Summary: The Economic Strengthening Officer will be responsible for the day to day implementation of the economic strengthening component of the program in the respective region (northern and eastern Uganda). The incumbent will be responsible for activity planning and implementation to improve the economic conditions of target groups through improved access and utilization of services and products and better access to markets.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· With support from the supervisor i.e. the technical lead, the officer will be responsible for program planning and implementation in the areas of economic strengthening.
· Work in liaison with other component field teams in the consortium to ensure integrated approach to program implementation
· Establish and maintain productive working relationships with local government officials and line departments, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate.
· Responsible for the day to day implementation of activities at field level.
· Make sure that there are proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the program are conducted within Mercy Corps policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.
· Work in liaison with the economic strengthening team for the development of and continual revision of a dynamic, program-wide monitoring and evaluation system linked to program strategies, indicators, and information management tools, which supports program management, accountability and learning.
· Continual gathering and sharing of data specific to the sector
· Compile and submit written reports on the program capturing impacts related to all activities.
· Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, consortium partners and other CSOs in target operation areas.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidate for this Mercy Corps Economic Strengthening Officer opportunity should preferably hold a degree, preferably graduate level, in economics development, development studies, social sciences or social work, or a closely related field is required.
· A minimum of five years’ experience in economic strengthening initiatives that target vulnerable communities mainly orphan and vulnerable children and households.
· Past exposure and experience in working with private sector partners
· Proven experience on market based solutions to addressing poverty
· Possess the ability and curiosity to work effectively with local government, civil society and community based organizations.
· Solid background in economic and market development
· Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English are also required.
· Keen 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.
· Possess the ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously;
· Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups and partners.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their applications including a cover letter clearly stating the salary requirements, updated CV (with three professional referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates to the HR/Admin Manager, Kampala Head Office on 4th Floor Embassy Plaza, Plot 1188-1190 Ggaba Road. The E-mail applications with cover letter should be sent to: tomcuganda@ug.mercycorps.org.
Deadline: 18th May 2015