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), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.
About Nike Foundation GIRL Program:
The project is a livelihoods-focused 3-year Nike Foundation program working in the Karamoja (Uganda) and West Pokot and Turkana (Kenya) regions. The project, called Girls Improving Resilience with Livestock (GIRL) aims to empower pastoralist girls in the Karamoja region to improve their livelihoods and personal agency, as well as increase the food security and adaptive capacity of their households and the resilience of their communities.
Job Summary: The Program Officer will be responsible for community engagement, including the identification, recruitment and retention of training participants; the establishment of partnerships with key community members (elders, religious leaders, government officials) and the execution of livelihood development activities. He/she will be locally hired and based in the Moroto area. He/she will be responsible for day-to-day field-work in implementation of activities, mobilization, formation and monitoring of girls livelihoods/education cohorts.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Work in liaison with all the program staff in implementation of the program.
Actively engage community members (community representatives, teachers, religious leaders, government officials and gatekeepers) to form an Advisory Committee to support and inform program activities
Organize community events to sensitize communities on the GIRL program
Render support in the creation of technical curricula, basic education (numeracy & literacy) and financial literacy
In charge of recruiting and training mentors to deliver technical curricula to girls
Play a role in the identification and recruiting of girls in the community to participate in livestock/producer groups
Identify and engage local animal health workers to provide training and technical assistance to livestock/producer groups
Actively monitor and track the success and failures of livestock/producer groups
In charge of collecting program data accurately and forward the same to the office timely.
Technically support community mapping activities, market assessments and base-line/end-line evaluation activities
Prepare accurate and timely monitoring and field reports and other project documentation as required.
Maintain proper project/program files.
Represent the organization in meetings at the grass root level.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Perform any other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or representatives.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the Program Officer should hold a Degree in Community Development, Economic Development or related field;
At least three years’ experience working with NGOs/CBO’s in civic engagement, livelihoods and education
Exhibit commitment to working with youth and vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender;
Detailed knowledge and understanding of working with local partners;
Excellent problem solving, written and oral communication skills;
Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a mixed team;
Computer literacy skills i.e. working knowledge of MS Office software such as Excel, Word, and Access;
Possess the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of Karamoja sub region.
Be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker
Be able to work difficult and often stressful environments.
Strong written and spoken English
Local language skills required
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan 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: tomcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org
Deadline: 30th June 2015