PROGRAM MANAGER - BASED IN KITGUM

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities. Our works focus on building resilience and enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management. We implement programs in the districts of Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Agago, and Lamwo in Acholi and entire Karamoja, as well as eastern Uganda with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations. Mercy Corps’ programs in Acholi Sub-region currently focus on economic and market development, agriculture, financial services, and women’s empowerment.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary focus of the program Manager is to manage the Walmart Foundation-funded Building Women’s Income through Agricultural Training (BUILD) Program activities to fulfill the objectives in Lamwo, Pader, Agago, and Kitgum districts. The main purpose of the program is to train 60,000 farmers (50% female) on agronomy; post-harvest handling and business skills, in addition to facilitating women’s economic empowerment. The program seeks to achieve these goals in close partnership with key local and national private sector actors and community-based organizations. The Program Manager will have the support of a team of agriculture extension officers, a gender officer, and financial services officer to better address and improve the performance various sectors in achieving the program overall goals. The Program Manager should work closely with the monitoring, evaluation and learning team to ensure that interventions are rigorous and evidence-based.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Management:

1. Coordinate, manage and motivate program teams through ensuring that they have clear objectives/individual work plans as part of performance management) and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.
2. Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs.
3. Ensure that BUILD meets the minimum standards of program management at Mercy Corps.

Partnership Management:

1. Manage and strengthen current contracts with the private sector, including businesses and community-based organizations. for potential private sector, civil society and government partners.
2. Explore new relationships with other private sector actors.
3. Establish and maintain productive working relationships with local government officials and line departments, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate.
4. Make on-site field visits regularly to provide technical back stopping and/or design suggestions.

Office Management:

1. Ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the program are conducted within Mercy Corps policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.
2. Manage the recruitment and training of program staff to ensure staffs are of the quality and capacity to successfully implement activities. Monitor and advise on staffing needs throughout the program. Ensure evaluations and disciplinary measures are made, as necessary according to Mercy Corps policy.
3. Exercise sound judgment to ensure project expenses are reasonable, allocable and prudent. Ensure all project funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations. Work with the Deputy Director of Programs to forecast expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the program in a timely fashion.
4. Oversee the program filing system and ensure that information is organized according to the reporting and auditing needs of the program. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
5. Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to all staff on the program.
6. Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work.
7. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps and to not endanger mercy Corps’ humanitarian mission.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

1. Support the development and continual revision of a dynamic, program-wide monitoring and evaluation system linked to program strategies, indicators, and information management tools, which supports program management, accountability and learning. Coordinate data gathering and management with all office-based program staff and take overall responsibility for monitoring and evaluation.
2. Ensure that team leaders are paying sufficient attention to the continual gathering and digestion of operating environment and activity reports, and that teams are holding frequent activity review sessions to continually re-examine the relevance and impact of the program.
3. Produce quality written reports on the program activities capturing impacts related to all activities.
4. Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with other stakeholders such as other donors, other NGOs, and local authorities.

Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in business, economic development or other relevant field is preferred.
• At least 5 years of relevant international experience with positions of progressively greater responsibilities.
• Management and demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals.
• Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.
• Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills with proven financial management skills.
• Demonstrated experience with gender mainstreaming and managing partnerships with entities such as companies and community-based organizations highly desired.
• Excellent quantitative skills required. Financial accounting experience preferred.
• Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partner agencies is preferred. This includes coordinating with government authorities and counterparts.
• Experience working in conflict environments is preferred.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills, with the ability to maintain a broad perspective. He/she will undertake innovative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new program ideas, and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning. The ability and desire to grow individually and professionally in a difficult environment is important. The successful candidate will have the ability to live and work successfully in remote, insecure, and challenging setting with limited resources. An even temperament and good sense of humor is a must. Furthermore, appreciations of a consultative, team approach to decision-making and the ability to lead a team, including an ability to work with limited supervision.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications:Submit your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates through the Human Resource Manager tomcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org Deadline for Submission:Close of businesson November 9, 2015 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.