Program Officer- 2 Vacancies (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only)

PROGRAMME/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

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 enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management. We implement programs in the northern districts of Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Kaabong, Abim and Kotido with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.

We were recently awarded a livelihoods focused 3-year Nike Foundation program working in the Karamoja (Uganda) and West Pokot and Turkana (Kenya) regions. The project, called Girls Improving Resilience with Livestock (GIRL), aims to empower pastoralist girls in the Karamoja region to improve their livelihoods and personal agency, as well as increase the food security and adaptive capacity of their households and the resilience of their communities. Mercy Corps is looking for a qualified Ugandan to fill the position of Program Officer for the GIRL program.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Program Manager, this position is focused on community engagement, including the identification, recruitment and retention of training participants; the establishment of partnerships with key community members (elders, religious leaders, government officials) and the execution of livelihood development activities. He/she will be locally hired and based in the Moroto area. He/she will be responsible for day-to-day field-work in implementation of activities, mobilization, formation and monitoring of girls livelihoods/education cohorts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

§ To work closely with all the program staff in implementation of the program.

§ To engage community members (community representatives, teachers, religious leaders, government officials and gatekeepers) to form an Advisory Committee to support and inform program activities

§ To organize community events to sensitize communities on the GIRL program

§ To assist in the creation of technical curricula, basic education (numeracy & literacy) and financial literacy

§ To recruit and train mentors to deliver technical curricula to girls

§ To identify and recruit girls in the community to participate in livestock/producer groups

§ To identify and engage local animal health workers to provide training and technical assistance to livestock/producer groups

§ To monitor and track the success and failures of livestock/producer groups

§ To collect program data accurately and forward the same to the office timely.

§ To support community mapping activities, market assessments and base-line/end-line evaluation activities

§ To prepare accurate and timely monitoring and field reports and other project documentation as required.

§ Maintain proper project/program files.

§ To represent the organization in meetings at the grass root level.

§ Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

§ Perform any other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or representatives.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

§ Minimum 3 years experience working with NGOs/CBO’s in civic engagement, livelihoods and education

§ Degree in Community Development, Economic Development or related field;

§ Commitment to working with youth and vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender;

§ Understanding of working with local partners;

§ Good problem solving, written and oral communication skills;

§ Strong written and spoken English

§ Local language skills required

§ Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a mixed team;

§ Good knowledge of MS Office software such as Excel, Word, and Access;

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The ideal candidate will;

§ Have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of Karamoja sub region.

§ Be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and;

§ Be able to work difficult and often stressful environments.