Uganda: Chief of Party, Growth Health and Governance Program, DFAP Uganda (219286-927)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps specializes in development in transitional areas. Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities. Our works focus on building resilience and to enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management. Mercy Corps Uganda’s largest project, The Northern Karamoja Growth Health and Governance Program (GHG) is a Five-Year Development Food Assistance Program (DFAP) that is being implemented in Northern Karamoja in the districts of Kaabong, Kotido and Abim.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief of Party (CoP) will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation for the USAID GHG program. S/he works closely with the Deputy Chief of Party and the Country Director to develop and carry out the vision for program implementation. GHG is implemented by a consortium of actors. Mercy Corps is the prime grantee, World Vision Inc. is the technical lead for MCHN, while Kaabong Peace and Development Agency (KAPDA) and other local agencies lead the work under security and governance. A research partner, Tufts University’s Feinstein International Center (FIC) performs annual impact evaluations to inform ongoing programming. The CoP leads the coordination, strategic, compliance, and monitoring and evaluation of the consortium of implementing partners, engendering a collaborative team spirit focused on achievement of the project’s goals. The GHG program, aims to support the immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja. GHG has three strategic objectives (SOs): Pro-poor market development; Improved health for children under five years of age; and Improved security and governance. The program has completed two years of implementation and has three years remaining, the primary task now is to move the program to robust implementation, executing activities that ensure participation and targeting of the poor and vulnerable and that a robust monitoring system is in place to capture the results and impact of the program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

Program Management

Team Management

Representation

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 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:The Chief of Party is responsible for supervising the expatriate DCOP, expatriate Gender Adviser and expatriate Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Adviser, the World Vision DCOP responsible for supplementary food and MCHN/WASH work and the national staff M&E team leader.

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:Finance Director, Senior Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager and GHG Program Staff

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills with the ability to maintain a broad perspective. S/he will undertake innovative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new program ideas and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning. S/he will also have ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected events impacting program operations. The ideal candidate will be familiar with Food Programs, and will demonstrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity, while also demonstrating skills and ability to build and maintain partnerships with international and local organizations. Must have strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate and manage expectations of many stakeholders critical being the donor USAID and Ugandan government counterparts. The ability and desire to grow individually and professionally is important.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position in based in Kampala with 50%+ travel to the Karamoja region. In Kampala the position is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are three main International schools in Uganda. There is regular access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc. However, this position requires at least 50 percent travel by road and air to the Karamoja region. The Karamoja region as a whole is chronically under-developed and is remote, road conditions are challenging and there is very limited infrastructure in general across the region. Living conditions are basic in Karamoja (no running water, and limited electric without generators and solar systems). There is an INGO presence with other expatriate staff and Mercy Corps has well maintained and equipped offices and communal staff housing available for the COP when traveling to the field offices in Karamoja (Kaabong, Kotido and Abim).

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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 in-country venues.