Associazione Centro Aiuti Volontari (ACAV) is an international non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote international solidarity for equitable and compatible development in the world so as to reach a balance between poor and rich social realities. Its cooperation projects for development are based on the values of sustainability, transparency, respect, accountability and reciprocity. ACAV operates according to the principles of equality, non-discrimination and impartiality by adopting the same approach towards all individuals and institutions with whom it interacts.
ACAV operates in close cooperation with local governments and development partners to support high impact, sustainable and replicable development initiatives that transform lives and communities in the hardest to reach rural areas of the developing countries. By adopting a holistic approach which links development and humanitarian response, ACAV intervenes in different sectors, including livelihood and agriculture, water and sanitation, vocational and skills development, environmental protection and conservation, and cross-border cooperation.
ACAV has been awarded a 3-year grant by European Union Emergency Trust Fund to address the irregular migration and displacement of people in Africa (EUTF) to finance the implementation of the action titled “Technical Assistance to Koboko Municipality to implement CRRF (Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework): Inclusive Urban Development and Mobility in Koboko, Uganda”. ACAV now invites applications from suitably qualified and competent candidates to fill the following vacant position:
Position title: Community Development Specialist
Duty station: Koboko, Uganda
Salary level: The salary scale and conditions will be in accordance with ACAV’s Terms of Employment for national staff.
Reporting to: Project Manager
Job purpose: The Community Development Specialist is a highly skilled and experienced professional to reinforce ACAV capacity in providing technical assistance to Koboko Municipality in the area of community development. The specialist will strengthen the strategic linkages with Koboko Municipality and other partners for better implementation of the EUTF project
Job duration: Job duration will be 27 months with initial one-year contract renewable depending on performance and availability of funding and 3 months’ probation period .

Main duties and responsibilities
• Contribute towards strengthening of participatory governance in the municipality by introducing and nurturing mechanisms of inclusive and wider citizen participation in the decision-making process.
• Guide on effective community-based approach in implementing the project as well as ensuring local priorities and initiatives are integrated into higher level of development planning in the Municipality
• Provide technical support and guidance to ensure gender mainstreaming and social inclusion in all aspects of the project for sustainable development
• Guide on project implementation in accordance to the EUTF and ACAV policy and procedure and generally accepted principles
• Work to expand partnerships and cooperation between community organizations, other NGOs and the different levels of government for efficient project implementation
• Supervise and support implementation and coordination of protection related programs with stakeholders like the JLOS, UNHCR, OPM, Police and local organizations
• Provide mentorship, professional training and support to the community development officers, CSOs and other local authorities on community related programs
• Supervise and monitor the work of community development officers and other CSOs implementing the EUTF project
• Provide technical guidance and support in the development of IEC materials for community mobilization and sensitization stories and practices by the CSOs, and the local authorities implementing the project
• Develop/support the development of necessary training materials and implementation guidelines for CSOs and the Municipality
• Track and report on the progress of the project in the areas of responsibility and advise on better implementation strategies
• Undertake remedial or any other measures required for timely achievement of the project results
• Ensure that profiles of local, regional or international partners and information related to the department is maintained, shared and updated on the website
• Undertake any other duty assigned by the supervisor for the achievement of the project objectives or results.

Education and professional experience
• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Sociology, Economics, Development Studies, Community Sustainability/ development or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of direct, “hands-on” working experience in Community development initiatives at managerial level.
• Sound knowledge of the concepts of social mobilization, decentralization and sustainable development.
• Have a good understanding of the local context with professional knowledge in project planning and management and implementing gender sensitive community development projects in an international development context.

Professional requirements
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong reporting skills with the ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner.
• Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, policies and procedure.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Good mobilization and people centered skills.
• Analytic and a strategic thinker.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Problem solving capacity.
• Ability to work long hours without supervision

Personal requirements
• Demonstrated understanding of data protection and confidentiality as part
• of data collection and management as well as reporting.
• Strong problem-solving approach with the ability to anticipate problems and proactively suggest solutions.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet the deadlines.
• Demonstrated capacity to work under pressure, while being reactive to unexpected demands or changes.
• Actively support organisational learning and innovation

Desirable criteria
• Previous work experience in project and programmes dealing with forced migration (i.e. Refugees, IDPs, Returnees).
• Previous work experience in the project area or West Nile, Uganda is an added value.
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages spoken in Koboko and West Nile, Uganda is an asset.

Method of Application

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements for the positions advertised shall submit their application accompanied with:
• Application or cover letter.
• Detailed curriculum vitae.
• Copies of academic testimonials and other credentials
• Contacts of three professional and reputable referees
• Postal address, email and reliable day time telephone contacts
Address your applications to:
Human Resource Officer,
Associazione Centro Aiuti Volontari (ACAV),
Plot 94, Moyo Road, Koboko Municipal Council,
P.O. Box 126, Koboko – Uganda
Applications can be delivered to ACAV Koboko Office or via e-mail at [email protected]
Deadline for submission
2nd November 2020 by 5:00pm.
Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered and shortlist will be done on rolling basis.
While we value your interest to work with ACAV, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. In case you do not hear from us within two weeks after the deadline, consider your application unsuccessful.
ACAV does not charge any fee in the process of recruitment and selection of personnel. Any form of canvassing is strongly prohibited.
For more information about the vacant positions, please visit the website on www.acav.eu