Position Description
Location: Yumbe, Uganda
Position Status: Full-time
Reports to: Program Manager

Salary Level: Salary Grade 8 (National staff)
New Position

Position is contingent on funding

About Mercy Corps

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 now, and for the future.

Programme Summary

MORE JOBS ( May 2024)

Present in Uganda since 2006, Mercy Corps Uganda’s aim is to catalyse change through the Ugandan private sector, civil society, and government to create resilient, economically inclusive, healthy, and secure communities.

Serving on the frontlines of the hardest hit communities by climate change, as in Northern Uganda, Mercy Corps, Energy 4 Impact (E4I), Simusolar, and Tulima Solar are witnessing first-hand the detrimental impacts of the unfolding climate crisis and the multifaceted ways that this is impacting smallholder farmers. The Danida-funded Powering the Uptake of climate change Mitigating Pumps (Pump Up), Uganda project seeks to enable farmers in Northern Uganda (Yumbe and Gulu areas), including women, youth, and refugee farming communities to build resilient livelihoods and to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. We aim to do this by supporting viable investments in climate resilient technologies such as solar water pumps (SWPs) coupled with best practices in climate smart agriculture (CSA) and integrated water resource management.

The project will be implemented by a consortium led by Mercy Corps, as the administrative partner; Energy 4 Impact, Mercy Corps’ energy access platform, which will provide business model and technology advisory services; and Tulimasolar and Simusolar as commercial partners. The Pump-Up project will improve capacities of the commercial partner to adapt and localise their product in Yumbe and Gulu areas by improving their PAYGO consumer financing offer and developing cost-effective and inclusive go-to-market and sales strategies. The project will support the commercial partner’s goal to increase its reach and market traction in Northern Uganda (currently at 38% of total sales) by adding an additional 430 SWPs over 3 years by: 1) diversifying value chains and market segments to reach SHFs, women, youth, and refugee communities, 2) adopting engagement terms and exploring financial products suitable for women and youth, 3) holding demonstration events that increase awareness and adoption. Altogether, these efforts will help to establish an enduring foundation to reduce vulnerability to climate change for SHFs by facilitating inclusive access and uptake of SWPs coupled with the promotion of best practices in CSA and integrated water resource management.

The project aims to reach 2,220 people with opportunities for increased income and/or improved livelihoods (555 female and 888 youth); create 50 decent jobs (15 female and 30 youth); and support 500 SHFs including women and youth to engage in off-season production.

Pump Up will run from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2026 for a total duration of three years. The position will be base din Yumbe, covering Yumbe and Gulu areas.

General Position Summary

The Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor will provide technical support and direction in programme design, implementation, quality assurance and the research and learning agendas. The Advisor will support the PUMP UP programme to integrate gender and social inclusion outcomes, best practices and gender sensitive approaches across a variety of interventions particularly supporting the MSD and Business Advisor and commercial partners to develop inclusive and gender-sensitive go-to market strategies and business model. The Advisor will design and implement a strategy to ensure the programme appropriately addresses the varied needs of women, men, girls, and boys, and that programme staff are sensitive to gender, age, religion, ability, and other social markers.

Further, The Advisor will ensure that the social dimensions to support accountable and transparent governance are effectively addressed across all activities and components. S/he/they will work closely with all PUMP UP team members to ensure the effective and timely execution of activities that are inclusive and gender sensitive. Finally, s/he/they will support the  Lead for Monitoring, Research and Learning  in the integration of gender and social inclusion in all research, evaluation, and monitoring activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Programme:

  • Support the Program Manager, Business and MSD Advisors and MEL team with the planning and implementation of PUMP UP GESI Strategy and suggest ways to improve on the same.
  • Engage with communities to identify gaps and barriers for gender equality and social inclusion along the selected value chains for smallholder farmers.
  • Advise on the development of inclusive and gender sensitive go-to market strategies and business models for the Solar Water Pump commercial partners.
  • Support GESI mainstreaming trainings and refresher trainings for all team members, consortium, and partners organisation staff.
  • Assist with assessment activities to ensure that team members apply gender and youth analysis and perspective in the collection, analysis, use and reporting of data.
  • Maintain close communication about gender activities with teams during regular planning and coordination sessions.
  • Identify the need for and supervise the implementation of activities designed to promote greater access, inclusion and empowerment of women, young males, adolescent girls, the elderly, refugees and people living with disabilities in the PUMP UP program.
  • Work closely with the PUMP UP teams and build their capacity to deliver high quality gender integration work.
  • Help develop gender-focused communication materials and translate to the local language and context to increase effectiveness.
  • Assist teams to identify and address barriers to recruiting and retaining female staff and to maintaining a gender –friendly work environment.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

  • Provide on-going support to teams on data collection processes for completeness, accuracy, and timely submission and ensure data collected is GESI sensitive.
  • Work closely with the PM and the MEL lead to ensure PUMP UP meets Mercy Corps’ gender minimum standards, follows Danida gender policies, and that gender sensitive data is regularly analysed and used to inform programme decisions
  • Conduct regular community visits to ensure that programme activities are gender sensitive and in line with the strategy.
  • Support and mentor communities, partners on data collection and use

Ethics and Integrity

  •  All Mercy Corps staff are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.

ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING: As part of our commitment to organisational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organisations 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 Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAMME PARTICIPANTS:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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: None. 

Reports Directly To: Program Manager

Works Directly With: Energy Technologies and Business Advisor, Agronomy/MSD Advisor, MEL Lead and all other staff dedicated to the program.

Knowledge and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in international development, Women’s studies, social sciences, gender, or Comparable area of study. A postgraduate or Masters in gender studies will be an added advantage.
  • At least 5 years of working experience in gender, youth, and development work, with a minimum of 2 years in field posting.
  • Substantial professional background and experience conducting gender trainings, gender mainstreaming activities, GBV prevention and response and women focus work.
  • Someone with a good understanding /Knowledge of North Ugandan context
  • Ability to communicate in the local languages (Acholi and Lugbara) is highly desirable
  • Experience working with Private Sector Actions.
  • Experience in working on agriculture and market systems development programs.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft office
  • Team player with excellent inter- personal skills

Success Factors

The successful Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor will combine exceptional gender mainstreaming skills and experience in building and maintaining partner relationships. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about operationalizing and improving the gender mainstreaming component of the programme (PUMP UP). S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritising, problem solving and attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. A good sense of humour and the ability to learn from mistakes is desired!

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor will be based in Yumbe, Uganda with at least 40% travel to Gulu and other domestic sites. At times evening and weekend work may be required to meet deadlines and at times of shocks and stresses.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, programme participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

To Apply: Interested applicants must submit their Cover Letter & CV saved in 1 document as  PDF of no more than 5 pages by 2nd June 2023.

Please note that any application submitted that does not follow the above instructions will be automatically discarded.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Mercy Corps does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

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