Economic Empowerment Officer – in Moroto, Amudat and Kaabong (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only) 183 views1 applications

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps implements high quality- analytical work in tough environments. We’ve been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently manage a range of programs in Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja sub-regions with funding from a host of donors. In October 2017, Mercy Corps was awarded a 5 year USAID/ Food for Peace- funded program working in 4 districts in Karamoja, the Apolou Activity. The Activity has four purposes with cross cutting themes of gender and youth and resilience:

1. Inclusive and effective governance contributes to food and nutrition security
2. Improved health and nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women, children under five, and adolescent girls
3. Improved WASH conditions
4. Adolescent girls, adolescent boys, women and men access diverse and secure livelihoods through improved capacities and strengthened market systems

Apolou is implemented by a consortium of actors led by Mercy Corps, including Save the Children, Whave Solutions, four local partners (KAPDA, AIDI, NARWOA and Riam Riam) and Tufts University’s Feinstein International Centre (FIC).

General Position Summary

The primary focus of the Economic Empowerment Officer will be to support the roll out of economic empowerment training at individual level by the service contractors within their assigned district. Activities will focus on two populations: Groups of pregnant and lactating women and male change agents building life skills, access to finance, and business development skills. The second population will be a cohort of youth. Youth will be initially engaged by Save the Children in intensive life skills and general economic development curricula. Officers must roll ToT trainings to service contractors and ensure quality of implemented trainings.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

· Coordinate with the Market Systems Development (MSD), Gender and Youth, MCHN and Adolescent team on program implementation to leverage synergy and maximize impact

Program Management

· Coordinate the activities service contractors to ensure training and mentorships are delivered on a timely basis and in line with best practice

· Provide technical support and quality control checks for skills building trainings, troubleshooting challenges, and standardizing implementation approaches in delivery of Livelihoods messages

· Support the cultivation of PLW/CU2 and adolescent micro scale businesses as a means to sustainable economic empowerment and poverty reduction

· Contribute to team reporting, data collection, cash projections and other administrative needs as necessary.

Team Management

· Oversee service contractors/mentors, providing mentorship to build their capacity to deliver high quality empowerment activities and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures within assigned district

· Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Security

· Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

· Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Finance & Compliance Management

· Adhere to MC Uganda Field Finance Manual and Field Procurement Manual for all Economic Empowerment activities, and oversee implementation of key budget lines

Influence & Representation

· Represent Mercy Corps’ approach at key government, coordination and advocacy platforms and ensure coordination with other youth and PLW/CU2 training program as necessary

Organizational Learning

· As part of our 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 Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

· 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

The Economic Empowerment Officer has no direct line management but mentors service contractors/mentors.

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Senior Economic Empowerment Officer

Works Directly with: Other Economic Empowerment Officers, Market System Development team, Economic Empowerment manager, Livelihoods Manager, Other Apolou Sector leads, Save the Children Program Manager, DCOP, M&E Manager, Gender and Youth Manager, Dynamic Program team for Karamoja

Ethics and Integrity

All Mercy Corps staff member 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 Agribusiness, Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Agriculture Economics, Community Development, Project planning and Management or any other Business related fields

· At least 3 years of related professional experience in youth/gender skills building or employability

· Experience in savings, financial empowerment or functional adult learning a plus

· Experience with private sector financial institutions or income generating activity experience a plus

· Demonstrated skills in data collection, verification and documentation

· Proven skills in networking, team-building, community consultations and organizational development;

· Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills

· Willingness to consider new perspectives, promote gender equality and engage in advanced gender training

· Fluency in Nga’Karamojong required

· Motorbike riding skill, permit required

Success Factors

The ability of the Economic Empowerment Officer to ensure standardize, market based life skills and livelihoods training will be the positions first success factor. The second will be the ability of the Economic Empowerment Officers to effectively ensure compliance and standardization of activities of mentors/contractors within his/her assigned area. The third success factor will be the degree to which the Officer effectively collaborates with MCHN, MSD and Gender and Youth teams, and Save the children Safe Space Adolescent Girl and boy teams driving integrated programming through mutual learning and programmatic support that ultimately benefits pregnant and lactating mothers and children under two as well as adolescents.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in (Kaabong, Moroto, Amudat, Uganda). The region is secure with access to most basic amenities.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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 locations.