Programs Coordinator – Jinja – Akola Project

Company Description
Akola (“she works”) is empowering 400 women from various walks of marginalization with dignified work to become change-makers in the lives of their 3,000 children and entire communities. 100% of product revenues are reinvested in Akola’s social mission to train, employ and empower women globally.
Akola is a community of makers, wearers and supporters who, together, are changing lives for generations to come.

Job Description
The Programs Coordinator role is a full-time paid position based in our Jinja, Uganda office. This position is responsible for coordinating and facilitating all M&E activities for Akola Project programs, including training the Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant, data entry, database management, and reporting. This position is also responsible for assisting in the design of new M&E efforts upon request as needs arise. This position also manages the Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant in her leadership of Akola’s VSLA program for all Akola members and provides administrative support to the Empowerment Team as needed.

Responsibilities
Leadership
• Lead Akola Project beneficiaries in a way that facilitates a high performance egalitarian culture of learning and development, trust and integrity
• Seek understanding with and unified leadership alongside the leadership team
• Provide leadership to the Akola women and to the community
• Provide a good example of good stewardship with time, resources and privilege for the staff, employees, and women’s groups
• Serve as an active advocate for Akola Project, promoting the vision, mission and goals of the organization amongst the community at all times to ensure the organization maintains a positive public standing

Monitoring and Evaluation
• Plan and execute the existing annual M&E activities
• Train M&E Assistant and Officers fluent in the local language in relevant M&E activities and strategies
• Input data into M&E database and sort to generate data comparisons and graphs
• Generate M&E data collection plans, perform data collection and submit reports upon request
• Field incoming requests for data and generate proposal for data gathering technique, timeline, and resources
• Pursue the inclusion of Participatory Learning and Action principles in all M&E efforts to decrease reliance on surveys and increase reliance on activities that encourage beneficiary engagement and understanding, while at the same time gathering data needed for marketing and program design

Village Savings and Loans Associations
• Oversee M&E Assistant in the rollout of Akola’s VSLA training course to all new members
• Develop additional training materials and activities as needed
• Ensure accuracy of records and reconcile records to cash after every VSLA meeting
• Troubleshoot issues as they arise, including but not limited to gaps in knowledge and issues stemming from improper leadership
Administrative and General Support for Empowerment Team
• Provide administrative and general support for the Empowerment Team staff members as needed • Input data into databases, prepare materials for programs, and other tasks upon request
• Assist with other Akola Project programs as needed
Administration
• Create and organize written records of all M&E activities and tools
• Create and maintain M&E databases
• Generate data reports and graphs upon request
• Document all VSLA training activities and materials
• Create and maintain all VSLA savings records, both in soft and hard copy
• Communicate regularly with Empowerment and Educational Programs Manager regarding timeline and strategy

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college in International Relations, International Development, or a related field
• Experience in cross-cultural Christian ministry
• Professional experience in statistics and Excel data management and manipulation a plus
• Experience working in a cross-cultural development context (ideally within an African nation) including management of people and resources desired
• Non-profit experience preferable
• Valid Drivers License

Required Skills
• Ability to manage, support and motivate a culturally diverse team towards common goals in the spirit of Jesus
• Experienced in cross-cultural ministry and interfaith dialogue
• Skillful in building cross-cultural relationships
• Proven ability to think analytically and plan strategically, including setting objectives, monitoring and evaluating impact, and identifying and applying opportunities for learning and development with all team members
• High attention to detail and the utmost integrity and accuracy when handling money

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should submit the following by email with subject line “Application: Programs Coordinator” torecruitment@akolaproject.org. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
• Resume/CV highlighting your education and work experience
• 1-2 page cover letter that outlines (1) Why you are interested in the position, Akola Project, the mission/vision and Uganda specifically; (2) Relevant work experience for the position and why you believe you are the best candidate for the job. Be sure to cite specific personal characteristics and specific work experiences that you feel make you qualified to fulfill the required responsibilities; (3) The role your faith plays in your work.
• Names and contact information for at least one personal and one professional reference
• A paragraph for two of the following questions: (1) Tell us about one moment that changed the course of your life. (2) What is one thing in the world that makes you angry? (3) What is the best book you’ve read in the last year? Why? o What will you do to entertain yourself when power is out for hours on end?