Country Director – Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development

About ACORD:
Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) is a Pan African organization working for Social Justice and Development in Africa. ACORD seeks to go beyond addressing the consequences of poverty by understanding, challenging and changing the conditions that cause poverty and exclusion through a Pan Africa Programme that unites practical work, research and advocacy operating in 17 African countries. We work in common cause with people who are poor and have been denied their rights to understand, challenge and change these conditions by working in alliance with -organizations worldwide to achieve these aims. In Uganda, ACORD is implementing programmes focusing on livelihoods, governance, peace– building and HIV/AIDS.

ACORD is operating in areas prone to conflicts or in transition and recovering from conflicts including Adjumani and Moyo districts in West Nile sub– region, Guiu, Amuru, Kitgum and Pader in Acholi sub-region, Kabong and Kotido in Karamoja sub-region in North Uganda. ACORD Uganda also functions in the districts of Isingiro, Mbarara, Kiruhurajbanda, Ntungamo, Kabala, Kanungu, Kisoro, Bushenyi.Rukungiri, and recently Rakai in Mbarara region in the Southwest.

Job Summary: The ACORD Country Director will be responsible for overall strategic leadership of the Country Programme including providing strategic direction, programme development and operational management of the Uganda Country Programme. The incumbner will also represent ACORD with Government, Local and International Organisations in the country and develop/strengthen Partnerships at different levels. The incumbent will take a leading role in overseeing, reviewing and monitoring of the Country strategy and ensuring the same is aligned with the overall ACORD strategic directions and thematic focus (Food Sovereignty & Livelihoods; Gender; Health & HIV&AIDS; and peace building & conflict transformation. The CD is responsible for developing new programming initiatives and ensuring cross learning and knowledge management in all areas of programming, national, regional and international policies and development issues. S/he is responsible to lead fundraising initiatives ensuring the smooth running of the Country Programme and its programmatic & financial sustainability. He / she will also be responsible for overall financial and human resources management of the Country Programme and ensuring the requisite systems and structures are in place and well functioning.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Provide leadership in the development, implementation, & review of the ACORD Country Programme strategy in line with the overall ACORD Strategic Plan and the country context ensuring continued relevance in the rapidly changing environment
· Represent ACORD and its interests in its relations with government, international and local organisations, network/alliances, media and other partners in Uganda
· Oversee the raising of ACORD profile, visibility and Public Relations at all levels.
· Manage the development of the Country Programme providing sound methodological & technical guidance, informed by participatory human rights methodologies, in line with the organizational thematic alignment, programming approach and accountability mechanisms
· Ensure that systems and processes are in place for participatory monitoring & evaluating activities, result and impact at programme level and promote organizational learning
· Responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of research, advocacy and campaign agenda focused on issues of relevance in the country aligned with ACORD’s strategic priorities
· Manage resource mobilization, management of donor relations and ensure that effective grant management systems are in place in line with the overall organization policy
· Ensure that efficient financial management & internal control systems are in place, monitor budgeting process, delivery, documentation & reporting in adherence to organizational procedures
· Ensure that comprehensive human resources management policy and practice are in place in accordance with the overall ACORD human resources management manual and the labour laws
· Ensure that all external communication are made to reflect the objectives and interest of the organization

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The candidate should preferably hold a Master’s Degree level education in development studies, Social Sciences, Sustainable Development or Similar field. Management training is essential
· A minimum of eight years’ field experience within NGO development programmes in
· Africa with four years’ experience working in senior management position
· Excellent track record in successfully mobilizing resources for at least one of the thematic areas of ACORD
· Working knowledge of and ability to penetrate the networks, alliances and relevant policy influencing spaces in Uganda
· The incumbent must be an exceptional strategic leader with a passion for social justice.
· Significant experience in programme management, establishment of partnership, high level networking and alliance building, resource mobilization, policy and advocacy
· Ability to work with minimal supervision with a spirit of teamwork and collaboration at different levels.
· Passionate networker, alliance builder, and a seasoned policy and advocacy expert
· Prior exposure and experience in supervising programmes and managing strategicgrants; and in human and Financial resources management
· Past experience in strategy and program formulation, implementation and monitoring
· Working knowledge of current thinking on development methods and understanding in at least two of the ACORD themes of Food sovereignty, Gender, Health & HIV/AIDS and peace building-& conflict transformation
· Detailed working knowledge and experience of the Ugandan development scene and engagement with like Minded CSOs
· Familiarity with and commitment to participatory methodologies & gender approach to development
· Good report writing and proposal writing skills, excellent oral and written communications skills, creative/open to ideas
· Basic computer literacy skills

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates should send their applications to: Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager, ACORD Nairobi, ACK Garden Annex, P.O. Box 61216,00200, Nairobi, UGANDA Tel: +254 202721172,2721185/86

Please complete this application form, download here, and email it with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter to recruit@acordinternational.org with the Job Title in the Subject line.

Deadline: 17th September 2015