Senior Program Officer-Yumbe/Bidi Bidi-2 (Internal Advert)

Job Details

Description

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency with headquarters in the UK and USA operating in over 44 countries. The agency exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes community-led, market-driven interventions through public, private and civic sector partnerships.   After more than a decade of operation in Uganda, the Mercy Corps country team has differentiated itself as a forward-thinking, market-driven agency, having implemented or currently implementing nearly 40 programs, valued at over $141 million, changing the lives of over 2.5 million Ugandans and refugees.

 

Mercy Corps has secured funding to continue our work on strengthening agricultural and basic goods markets within Rhino Camp and Bidi Bidi Settlements.  Strong and resilient markets within the settlements have become even more crucial as WFP reduces food rations and starts to switch from in kind to cash distribution.  Mercy Corps Uganda has been strengthening the local market capacity to respond to need of the population, particularly in Bidi Bidi settlement (zones 3-4) where 100 small ‘last mile’ vendors have been engaged in an e-voucher program that aims to build their capacity to stock and sell quality goods at affordable prices, and 18 agro-agents across Rhino Camp have been linked to agro-dealers.  To maximize on this initial support, Mercy Corps proposes an intervention to strengthen these markets further to support vulnerable households and improve their food security in these critical times.   With the current funding, MC proposes to extend the agro-agent network and market linkages to further strengthen provision of inputs and extension advice in the settlements and continue to support market vendors to improve their services – to make sure local populations are able to access affordable, quality foods, hygiene and agricultural inputs which enable them to improve their food security.  In addition, the program will support mother care groups, to improve nutrition practices with pregnant, lactating women and mothers of children under five.  In response to the growing issues with deforestation in the settlements, this program will also provide technical assistance to Pesitho, a solar-cooker company, to adopt Pay as you Cook technology and scale this within the settlements.

 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy corps is looking for two (2) experienced, qualified Senior Program officer (SPO) who will be responsible for the implementation of the different project activities in Rhinocamp and Bidibidi (Yumbe). The SPO is responsible for project implementation, managing staff and resources and will make sure impact is measured via several MEL assessments. The SPO will ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. He/she will report to and work with the Project Manager to engage in program representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Staff and Program Management

• Coordinate and implement district level activities in line with approved project proposal, budget and within the agreed time frames.
• Ensure compliance to all Mercy Corps, Donor and Government of Uganda policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to the implementation of the program with limited supervision.
• Ensure project deadlines, quality standards and targets are met, redesigning deadlines, quality standards and targets as needed.
• Make on-site field visits regularly to provide technical back stopping and/or design recommendations.
• Support on the development of all reports, both internal and external to the donor, with a high level of quality with limited need for revision.
• Lead the coordination, management and motivation of program teams through ensuring that they have clear objectives/individual work plans as part of performance management and receive constructive feedback on their performance. Ensure work plans are designed collectively with staff and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor and lead district level staffing, capacity building and other needs.

 

2. Partnership Management/ External Representation

• Independently establish, maintain and grow productive working relationships with Local Government officials, OPM, UNHCR and other departments, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate, in close coordination with other programs in the same operating areas.
• Responsible for engagement with other stakeholders including private sector actors, community-based organizations and other key partners.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps.
• Work closely together with private sector partners. Have bi-weekly meetings to make sure targets are met. Conduct accountability assessments and prepare payments in advance for financial review.

 

3. 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.
• Oversee scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of program, with a high level of quality, requiring minimal revision.
• Coordinate data gathering and management with all district-based program staff and take overall responsibility for MEL.
• Ensure coordination and sharing of information with other district level stakeholders.

4. Any other related duties assigned

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Program officer and Program Assistant

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance and Operations Team, Program Officers and assistants, partners and Program Manager

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor degree in agribusiness, development, economic development, business management or a closely related field is required.
• At least five years of experience designing, implementing and managing similar initiatives (cash/voucher transfer, seed distribution, economic strengthening, market systems development).
• 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.
• A dynamic, “outside-the-box” attitude is required, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.
• 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 use it during the project

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of Rhinocamp/Yumbe. S/he will be an excellent communicator a strong leader with the ability to build the capacity of team members, 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 in planning and problem solving.

Closes: 7th Feb 2021