PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps implements high-quality, analytical development work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. Mercy Corps with funding from The Coca Cola Africa Foundation and Master Card Foundation is implementing a youth empowerment initiative called YES!(Youth empowered for Success) in Kawempe and Rural Wakiso district. The Private Sector Engagement Officer will be in charge of the overall private sector engagement in the YES! program, identifying companies, business and financial institutions and finding suitable linkages for young people. It is an opportunity for a result oriented and self-motivated individual looking for a serious challenge.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Private Sector Engagement Officer will primarily focus on private sector partnerships, engaging employers, financial institutions, social microenterprises, multinational corporations, business groups and other businesses with youth where private sector incentives overlap with the goals of the program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program
• With support from the Senior Program Manager, carry out different assessments in the target geographic areas to assess current situation, economic opportunities, needs and challenges
• Identify, assess partnerships with potential private sector actors for possible linkages to young people
• Ensure that young people in the program are linked to suitable economic opportunities
• Develop strong partnerships with private sector actors with an incentive to provide training to youth in transferable; financial management; business and employability skills, with the support of external trainers and entrepreneurs-in-residence.
• Manage relationships and monitor work on private sector partnerships to ensure positive impact for young people
• Advise Mercy Corps on ways to enhance reach and impact

Collaboration/networking
• Introduce the program to relevant stakeholders including local business owners, local representatives and community members. Foster ongoing positive cooperation with these stakeholder
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government departments, NGO’s and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager;
• Build connections with senior partnership staff to keep up to date on new projects and developments as change in their environment is fast paced and the potential for collaboration can arise at any time.
• Proactively engage with private businesses support providers and stakeholders to promote engagement with, and links to, the business navigator service
• Identify and profile potential new sources of partnerships and secure new business development meetings with potential partners, supporters, or sponsors
• Planning and delivery of quality events for our partners, including reviewing event formats and processes and programmes, identifying and approaching relevant high quality entrepreneurial opportunities, and working with the events team to ensure the successful delivery of the events (training, opportunity meetings, exposure visits etc).
• Providing technical supports and mentorship to identified partnerships in areas of business development, contextual analysis, modifying business strategies tailored to the needs of youths.

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Comply to M&E systems that will be established to measure program impacts and desired results
• Analyse project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations;
• Submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly report that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
• Ensure that all approaches to the private sector partnerships are profiled, tracked consistently, through effective use of stakeholder management plan
• Work with the MEL Officer to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field for entry in the database.
• Maintain constructive dialogue and technical exchange with field counterparts and technical staff of implementing partners.
• As requested, support the on-going monitoring of Mercy Corps’ supported work in coordination with M&E and operations colleagues
• Identify potential research areas and document key learnings (case stories, learning papers etc) within different partnerships that explores different models for scaling
• Develop and test specific private sector engagement evaluation tools that are relevant to the program to generate knowledge and share learning across Mercy Corps’ programs

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor’s Degree in business, agribusiness, economic development or other relevant field required
• Demonstrated experience(at least 3 years) in the private sector engagement and development;
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people
• Willingness to work in the field and ability to ride motor cycle
• Skills in networking, team-working, and community consultations
• Good reporting, communication and representation skills
• Good spoken and written English.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications: Submit your application through email to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org addressed to the Senior HR and Legal Manager, 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, 29th August, 2016. 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.