Uganda: Economic Development Officer (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only) - 2015

Organization: Mercy Corps

Country: Uganda

Closing date: 30 Jun 2015

PROGRAMME/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

MercyCorps implements high-quality and analytical development work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. We are currently implementing a market-development focused 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded program working in the northern half of Karamoja, and are in search of one competent and creative person to fill the position of Economic Development Officer (EDO). North Karamoja Growth, Health and Governance (GHG) programme partners with private, public and civil society sectors to support immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The EDO will work to improve the economic future and quality of life of program beneficiaries. The ability of the EDO to push forward market-driven approaches at all stages of programming will be one of the position’s three success factors. The second will be the degree to which the person promotes and captures learning with her/his team, institutionalizing activity reviews, identifying and evaluating preconceptions and promoting a culture of inquisition. The third success factor will be the degree to which that person drives results, making critical decisions and producing scheduled outputs at deadline and to the expected quality.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program

§ Work closely with the Mercy Corps livestock health services and Marketing teams, national drug companies, district veterinary officers and other key partners in planning and implementation of veterinary service extension activities of GHG program according to the approved work plans and budgets;

§ Work closely with agrovet shops and livestock traders to identify capacity gaps of CAHWs and farmers’ challenges and provide technical support, design tools and activities for improvement and follow up the implementation;

§ Together with district veterinary officers and agrovets shops, the EDO will design and implement a supervisory plan for CAHWs to ensure quality service delivery to farmers;

§ Maintain close coordination and co-operation with district veterinary department, ministry of agriculture, research institutions, sector working groups and development agencies to ensure synergy and improved coordination among programs/interventions;

§ In collaboration with NDA, oversee the work to control the illegal sale of animal drugs in the markets;

§ Work with DVOs to plan and support disease surveillance activities and vaccination campaigns – including poultry and Newcastle disease, foot and mouth disease etc;

§ Provide support to national drug companies, agrovets shops and CAHWs to promote herd health programme at kraal and household levels

Partnership Management:

§ Identify, assess and develop partnership strategies for potential private sector partners with GHG

§ Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county and district leaders and DVOs and soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate

§ Make on-site field visits regularly to monitor progress of activities and provide strategic measures for progress to maximize the programmes’ economic and social impacts to the community

§ Work with team leader(s) and Mercy Corps technical staff in order to bring synergy among different components of the project

Monitoring and Evaluation:

§ Create a dynamic program environment that promotes inquiry;

§ Take primary responsibility for sector-focused data gathering;

§ Establish procedures and guidelines to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of economic development support work including setting and measuring benchmarks along results chains;

§ Analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations;

§ Provide data in support of team’s submission of timely weekly, monthly and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.

Other:

§ Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner that brings credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;

§ Other duties as assigned by the line manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

§ A degree in Agriculture (animal husbandry; production and marketing) or its equivalent;

§ A minimum of three years relevant experience with proven technical experience in the field;

§ Willingness to work in the field with agrovets shops, Community animal health workers, kraal leaders and communities;

§ Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of partners; private sector, government and civil society;

§ Skills in team work, holding community consultations and organizational development;

§ Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills

§ Skills in networking, team-working, and community consultations

Good spoken and written English. Fluency in Ngakarimojong and Ethurr is an advantage.

How to apply:

Applications:Submit your application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates to the HR/Admin Manager, Kampala Head Office on 4^thFloor Embassy Plaza, Plot 1188-1190 Ggaba Road. E-mailed applications with cover letter tomcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org will also be accepted. Deadline for Submission:Close of business on Tuesday, 30^th June, 2015.Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.