Senior Program Officer, Yumbe 421 views1 applications

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency with headquarters in the UK and USA operating in over 44 countries. The agency exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes community-led, market-driven interventions through public, private and civic sector partnerships. After more than a decade of operation in Uganda, the Mercy Corps country team has differentiated itself as a forward-thinking, market-driven agency, having implemented or currently implementing nearly 40 programs, valued at over $141 million, changing the lives of over 2.5 million Ugandans and refugees. In Uganda, some of our donors include USAID, SIDA, DFID, WFP, US Department of State; MasterCard Foundation, and ECHO, with over 20 programs and projects currently in operation in 30 districts.

The STARRE program will increase access to and use of off-grid renewable energy products that directly improve the well-being of refugees and host communities in Uganda. The STARRE program will increase female refugee’s access to PAYG cook stoves and solar panels. Female host community members will also be included in the program to ensure that host community needs are also supported, and to meet Ugandan government requirements to address refugee and host community needs simultaneously. With support from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Mercy Corps will provide vouchers that support 100 households to purchase energy products. At the same time, Mercy Corps will partner with PAYG suppliers and support their expansion of affordable renewable energy products in refugee settlements. Working through the private sector will facilitate long-term availability of the products, compared to doing direct distributions that could undermine markets and discourage private sector investment.

General Position Summary

The Senior Program Officer will provide leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the new project, managing staff and resources, and partners. The Senior Program Officer is responsible for ensuring that the project meet targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The Senior Program Officer will supervise staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. He/she will report to and work with the Program Manager to engage in program representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities

1. Staff and Program Management

• Oversight of Yumbe district/Bidibidi Settlement level teams, coordinate and implement district level activities in line with approved project proposal, budget and within the agreed time frames.
• 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.
• Ensure project deadlines, quality standards and targets are met, redesigning deadlines, quality standards and targets as needed within the target district
• Make on-site field visits regularly to provide technical back stopping and/or design recommendations.
• Support development of all reports, both internal and external to the donor.
• Monitor and lead district level staffing, capacity building and other needs.

2. Collaboration/Networking

· Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with sub-county and district leaders and local government departments.

· Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders.

3. Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

· Work closely with the monitoring and evaluation staff to capture the required data for measuring output and impact of the programme; and to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field for entry in the database and for preparation of communication materials

· Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary.

· Maintain proper filling system in regard to market development activities of the project.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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

Project Officers, Project Assistants

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Program Manager

Works Directly with: Project Team, Finance and Operations teams, MELC team

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

· Degree in humanitarian, development, economics, agronomy, agribusiness or related field preferred.

· Minimum of 5 years’ experience in market systems development/M4P programming.

· Demonstrated success in programs related to resilience, market systems development or related programming.

· A dynamic, “outside-the-box” attitude is required, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.

· Effective verbal and written communication skills in English are required.

· Multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.

· History of working effectively and respectfully with government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments.

· Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

· A strong team player, with good communication, diplomatic and negotiation skills.

· Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

· Excellent analytical and information management skills.

· Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

· Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

· Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.