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Job Title:       Program Officer

Organization:
Mercy Corps

Duty Station:
Uganda

Reports to: Project
Manager

About US:

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.   Working in Uganda since 2006, Mercy Corps
has applied market-driven solutions to communities across the country,
equipping individuals and households with the knowledge, skills and confidence
to generate improvements in their access to markets, livelihoods, health,
nutrition, and security, in order to improve their overall resilience.

About the Project:

The first project is
a Western Union funded project: Leveraging Technology for Improved Employment
and Income for Refugees in West Nile starting from from 1st of July 2020 until
31st of July 2021. The program will be implemented in two refugee settlements
in West-Nile district: Rhinocamp and Bidibidi zone 3 and 4. During the project
Mercy Corps will support jobseekers to leverage technology to connect with job
markets and relevant learning opportunities in West Nile. The project aims to
increase employment in West Nile focusing on off-farm/non-farm alternatives, to
strengthen the development of tech-enabled youth employment through three
Innovation Centers based in Bidi Bidi Camp and Rhino Camp working together with
two partners. The program will improve the employability of 1,000 youth in
tech-related fields in the West Nile region, and secure work for 200 of these
young people via freelance platforms. 

The second project
aims to ensure vulnerable households in Bidibidi are able to access affordable
basic goods (food items, hygiene products). Mercy Corps will partner with a
private sector partner to support the supply chain to small informal shops in
West Nile, and keep prices for goods at affordable prices. This will be coupled
with a targeted e-voucher distribution – through which selected households
which meet vulnerability criteria are able to receive a monthly cash voucher to
their mobile phones which enables them to purchase selected goods at the
informal shops in the vendor network.

All activities will
mainly take place in and around the Mercy Corps’ established Innovation Centers
in zone 3 and 4 of Bidibidi. The Innovation Centers are built during a previous
program and have stable solar power installation, secure WIFI network, Internet
café, meeting rooms and kiosks to hosts meetings and trainings.

Job Summary:  The Program officer will be responsible for
the implementation of the project activities in Bidibidi settlement and reports
to the Project Manager. The PO is responsible for the implementation of the two
projects; from identification of opportunities, development of concept notes,
development of SOW, working together with partners and monitoring of
activities. As most of the work will happen in the field it’s required to
travel at least 70% to the field.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Planning, developing and implementing activities

·       Introduce program to relevant stakeholders
including local business owners, local representatives and community members.

·       In coordination with program team and
partners, plan, implement and monitor activities according to workplan

·       Mobilize targeted beneficiaries to fully
participate in the program.

·       Work together with partners to make sure all
activities will be implemented according to workplan, on time and in high
quality

·       Participate in assessments in the target
geographic areas to assess current situation, economic opportunities and
resources, needs and potential programs as well as challenges.

·       Make daily field visits to settlements to
ensure good implementation of activities as well as partners’ activities.

·       Collaboration/Networking
with partners

·       Establish and maintain good coordination and
working relationships with sub-county leaders, UNHCR, OPM, district and
representing Mercy Corps and soliciting participation in activities where
appropriate and as directed.

·       Ensure close coordination and sharing of
information with relevant stakeholders such as local government, NGOs and local
authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager.

·       Work closely with partners at the Innovation
Centres, share and request for relevant project information and organise
regular meetings.

·       Conduct himself/herself both professionally
and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Uganda and to
not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

·       Work closely with M&E to capture data for
measuring output and impact of the program; and to ensure accurate and timely
flow of information from the field.

·       Support with post-distribution monitoring,
market assessments and price monitoring activities.

·       Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly,
and quarterly reports and workplans that will be indicative of program progress
during implementation.

·       Respond to queries if and when necessary.

·       Maintain proper filing system of all
activities.

·       Accountability to Beneficiaries: Al Mercy
Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability,
specifically to direct program participants, engaging them as equal partners in
the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of our field activities.

·       Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy
Corps Uganda’s 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 the program as well as
themselves.

·        Any
other related duties assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       The ideal candidate must hold a Bachelor
degree in development, economic development, business management, social
studies or a closely related field is required.

·       At least three years of experience
implementing similar projects with a focus on employment, economic
strengthening, entrepreneurship and/or digital skill training

·       Experience in working in refugee settlements
is preferred.

·       Strong interpersonal, writing and oral
presentation skills in English are required.

·       Experience in building and maintaining
strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners is
required.

·       Strong leadership and proven team building
experience is a must

·       Demonstrated 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

·       Willingness to spend much time in the field
and work closely with program target groups

·       Knowledge of monitor and evaluation and know
how to implement and conduct assessments during the project lifetime

·       Able and willing to drive a motorbike safely
on a daily basis (having a valid license is required).

·       Speaking a local language is preferable: e.g.
Lugbara, Kakwa, Arabic etc.

·        The
ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and
effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of West Nile. S/he
will be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker,
and able to work difficult and often stressful environments. S/he will be
committed to the work of Mercy Corps and the objectives of this program. They
will demonstrate their dedication with a strong work ethic, attention to detail
and creative problem solving.

How to Apply:

All candidates who
wish to join Mercy Corps in this capacity should apply online at the link
below.

Click
Here

Deadline: 8^th July 2020

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