Job Details:

Program/department Summary:

Mercy Corps is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Officer that supports the implementation of 2 projects in Bidibidi.
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.

General Position Summary:

Mercy corps is looking for an experience, qualified Program officer who 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.

Essential Job Functions:

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
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Program assistant
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance and Operations Team, MEL team and partners

Knowledge And Experience:

• 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.

Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here

Closing Date : 8th August 2020