Jobs – Program Officer at Mercy Corps

Job Title:  Program Officer

Organisation: Mercy Corps

Duty Station:  Uganda

About Mercy Corps: 

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. Mercy Corps’ programs in Kitgum currently focus on economic and market development, agriculture, financial services, and women’s empowerment.

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 Program Officer will be responsible for the implementation of PEACE III Program at the community level. S/he will be in constant contact with stake holders and targeted communities to ensure full participation and implementation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Organize, facilitate and conduct trainings and workshops related to PEACE III Program;
• Support communities using participatory methodologies to identify and implement PEACE III related projects;
• Meet regularly with the supervisor to evaluate project progress; identify successes, challenges and lessons-learned; and adjust practices as necessary to improve performance.
• Implement activities and monitor project progress.
• Build, foster and maintain partnerships with relevant government stakeholder and target communities.
• Apply Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) tools and techniques to all activities.
• Compile and send monthly reports as specific events, field trips and meetings attended on behalf of Mercy Corps.
• Provide 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 closely with the Program Manager to conduct regular field visits to ensure that all stakeholders fully understand and utilize PEACE III approaches and methodologies.
• 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.
• Maintain updated (paper and electronic) filing system for all M&E forms/ surveys, protocols, planning tools, and manuals.
• Write reports and project documents and submit to Program Manager as required.
• Carry out 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 for the Mercy Corps Program Officer should possess a good Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, rural development, or related field
• At least three years professional experience in implementing peace and conflict related projects
• Ability and commitment to team work
• Ability to interact effectively with the diverse project stakeholders
• Detailed working knowledge of the local languages in is an added advantage in addition
• Working experience in conflict or post conflict settings and conflict sensitive programming.
• Working experience with stakeholders including youth and women groups.
• Past exposure and experience in Project monitoring and evaluation.
• 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.
• Possess the 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