Jobs - Economic Development Officers at Mercy Corps International

Job Title: Economic Development Officer (6 Vacancies)

Mercy Corps implements high quality, 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 were recently awarded a market-development focused 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded program working in the northern half of Karamoja, and are in search of six creative problem solvers with private sector experience to fill the position of Economic Development Officers. The project, called ‘The North Karamoja Growth, Health, and Governance Program’, aims to support the immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja. The Economic Development Officer will participate in the daily implementation of the development programming through support to key business partners including commercial banks, MFIs, SACCOs, agro processors, traders, transporters, input sellers, pharmacies, animal and human healthcare providers, consumer goods retailers, and a host of other actors.

Job Summary: The Economic Development Officer is responsible for assisting in the implementation and support of facilitation projects that make beneficial products and services accessible to households within the geographic focus of the program. These activities will work almost exclusively through private sector actors, seeking to crowd in provision rather than displace or replicate private actors with donor-funded services. Facilitation of projects will include, but are not limited to, support the creation of an enabling financial inclusion environment, increasing access to tillage services, improving access to beneficial and life-saving health products, developing agent input and aggregator networks, improving the service offerings and profitable provision of community animal health services, commercializing access to fuel efficient stoves, increasing availability of solar products and improved accessibility to local hand pump repair and spare parts.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Program:

With support from the team leader, carry out market assessments, value chain analyses, and the development of sector-focused strategies;
Recommend program priorities and explore, evaluate and present new opportunities that with high potential for impact;
Introduce the program to relevant stakeholders including local business owners, local representatives and community members. Foster ongoing positive cooperation with these stakeholders;
Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs, if any;

2. Partnership Management:

Identify, assess and develop partnership strategies for potential private sector GHG partners;
Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county and district leaders and production and marketing departments, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate;
Carry out on-site field visits regularly to provide technical review and/or design suggestions;
Work with team leader(s) and Mercy Corps technical staff in order to develop potential projects, implement and closely monitor selected economic development projects including detailed work plans and business plans.

3. 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 submission of timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.

4. Where needed support external evaluations by research partner Feinstein International Centre and other organizations;Work in liaison with the Chief Learning Officer to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field for entry in the database and for preparation of PR materials

5. Other:

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 the line manager.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

The ideal candidate should possess a good University degree in business, economics or a related field
Two or more years’ professional experience
Past experience working in Retail Banking
Possess willingness to work on the field
Possess the ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people
Ability to evaluate businesses and business plans
Highly developed skills in networking, team-working, and community consultations
Good report writing, communication and representation skills
Fluency in spoken and written English. Fluency in Ngakarimojong and Ethurr is an advantage

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 HR/Admin Manager, Kampala Head Office in Nsambya on Plot 1102 Nsambya Estate Road. Kampala, Uganda 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: 19^th March, 2014

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