Job Details:

Program/department Summary:

Mercy Corps is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Manager that manage 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 host meetings and trainings.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Project Manager. The Project Manager will manage, guide and coordinate activities for the implementation of the two projects. The project manager is responsible for managing staff and partners to ensure the project meet targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The projects have 3 partners; a local NGO and 2 private sector partners that should work in coordination with each other in and around the Innovation Centers. The Project Manager will supervise staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. He/she will report to and work together with the expatriate Program Manager to engage program representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, UNHCR and other stakeholders. Mercy Corps is looking for a candidate that is interested in the development of the Innovation Centers and has a proactive attitude to implement new activities and expand and implement different business models.

Essential Job Functions:

Staff and program management
• Coordinate and implement activities in line with approved project proposal, budget and within the agreed time frames
• Provide leadership and guidance to the team that consists of 1 program officer and 2 program assistants
• 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.
• Make regular on-site field visits to provide technical guidance and/or project recommendations
• Develop monthly and quarterly 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 the program team through ensuring that they have clear objectives and individual workplans as part of performance management and give constructive feedback on their performance.
Partnership Management
• Independently establish, maintain and grow productive working relationships local government officials, UNHCR, OPM, partners. Soliciting their participations in all activities where appropriate.
• Support on the contracting process of all partners engaged in the 2 projects.
• Organize regular meetings with all partners to monitor activities and solve challenges that have come up during project implementation.
• 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.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
• Work closely with the MEL advisor and Senior MEL officer to develop logframe, Theory of Change and indicator plans for the projects
• Coordinate data gathering and management with all program staff and make sure all Mercy Corps’ minimum standards are met
• Ensure coordination and sharing of information with all stakeholders
Program Support Operations
• Coordinate and support of finance, operations and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources.
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.
Supervisory Responsibility: Project Officer
Accountability:
Reports Directly to: Program Manager
Works Directly with: Senior MEL officer, Program officer and assistant, and finance and operation teams
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

Knowledge And Experience:

• Bachelor degree in economic development, business management, social studies or a closely related field is required.
• At least five years of experience in managing similar program focusing on employment, economic strengthening, entrepreneurship and/or IT skilling.
• Demonstrated success in managing programs related to employment and entrepreneurship
• Experience in working in refugee settlements is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English are required.
• Proven skills in financial management and staff management with a focus of staff capacity building.
• A dynamic, ‘outside the box’ attitude is required, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.
• Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners is required.
• Experience of working effectively with government, private sector, INGO and local NGO’s in complex environments.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
Success Factors
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

Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here

Closing Date : 8th August 2020