Jobs – Capacity Building Specialist at Mercy Corps International

Job Title:  NGO Capacity Building Specialist

Mercy Corps is an International NGO that exists to alleviate poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has been fully registered in Uganda as an operational NGO. Currently Mercy Corps has an office in Kampala and is implementing Food Security programs which comprises of Water and Sanitation, Livelihood and Agriculture and Conflict Mitigation Management Program in North and North Eastern Uganda. 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.

About PEACE III:

PEACE III Program is designed to strengthen cross border Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa. It will strengthen horizontal and vertical linkages within and between local, national, and regional conflict management actors. In Uganda, PEACE III will be implemented in Karamoja region with an operational office in Moroto.

Job Summary: The Mercy Corps NGO Capacity Building Specialist is responsible for designing and leading initiatives that enhance capacities of NGOs, CBOs and local peace initiative entities that contribute to attainment of PEACE III objectives. S/he will be in constant engagement with stake holders and targeted communities to ensure full participation in PEACE III Program. S/he will oversee the implementation capacity building plans for NGOs and CBOs

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Steer the mapping out NGOs and other civil society groups that are involved in Conflict Management initiatives;
• Assess and identify capacity building gaps using adapted tools like Organizational Performance Index (OPI) and Capacity Index for Peace Organizations and Networks (CIP) and design a capacity development plan;
• Implement the Capacity Development Plan;
• Organize, facilitate and conduct sessions that will result into Request for Proposals from local stakeholders;
• Actively facilitate training sessions for stakeholders including NGOs, CBOs in participatory methodologies and tools particularly Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) and Appreciative Inquiry (AI);
• Manage the sub-award processes and ensure that all are conducted in a full complaint way;
• Meet regularly with the supervisor to evaluate project progress; identify successes, challenges and lessons-learned; and adjust practices as necessary to improve performance.
• Foster and maintain key partnerships with relevant government stakeholder and target communities.
• Compile and submit reports as specific events, field trips and meetings attended on behalf of Mercy Corps.
• Offer on-going feedback on the Performance Management Plan and database management of the PEACE III Program, to enhance measuring the impact of the program against objectives and indicators.
• Work in consultation with the Program Manager conduct regular field visits to ensure that all stakeholders share experiences and lessons learned;
• Provide the team with quarterly data analysis reports, to feed into quarterly review and reflection meetings.
• Support the team in effectively utilizing established monitoring and evaluation formats, and provide feedback for their improvement.
• Develop case studies and success stories to better articulate qualitative changes as a result of PEACE III Program.
• Write reports and project documents and submit to Program Director as required.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to positively acknowledge Mercy Corps and to support its humanitarian mission.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:  

• The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, rural development, or related field
• At least four years’ professional experience in Capacity Building role in peace and conflict related projects
• Ability and commitment to team work
• Ability to interact effectively with the diverse project stakeholders
• Comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the local languages in is an added advantage
• Working experience in conflict or post conflict settings and conflict sensitive programming.
• Working experience with stakeholders including youth and women groups.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Adequate knowledge and skills on word processing, spread sheet, power point and internet retrieval.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and appropriate flexibility.
• Ability to effectively communicate with Mercy Corps target populations and partners.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Willingness to travel frequently to remote locations.
• Ability to quickly learn and implement new information/concepts.
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability.

How to Apply for the job:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their applications including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates to the  Human Resource Manager, Kampala Head Office in Nsambya Estate Road, Kampala Head Office in Nsambya on Plot 1102 Nsambya Estate Road, Kampala or to Mercy Corps Offices in Kitgum. E-mailed applications with cover letter to: mcuganda@ug.mercycorps.org will also be accepted.

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: 11^th September, 2014