The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is a capacity building programme that aims to build the profile, and improve the management, of Development Minerals. The programme is an initiative of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), financed by the European Union and UNDP, and implemented by UNDP. Phase I of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme was implemented in partnership with UNDP in 2015-2019; Phase II since 2019 and Phase III since 2023.

Development Minerals refer to minerals and materials that are mined, processed, manufactured and used domestically in industries such as construction (e.g. sand and gravel), manufacturing (e.g. gypsum), infrastructure and agriculture. Development Minerals provide crucial inputs for domestic economic development, are economically important for national and local economies, and critical for urbanization and job creation.

The Programme aims to increase employment and incomes of artisanal and small-scale mining and mineral processing enterprises (ASMEs), including economic opportunities for women participating in ASMEs, throughout the minerals value chains. The Programme also aims to promote scaling up of innovations in low-carbon materials made from Development Minerals.

The programme in Phase III is implemented at global, regional and country levels; country-level implementation is undertaken in Cameroon, Fiji, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Training and support is provided to artisanal and small-scale miners, mineral processing enterprises and communities, as well as government authorities and business development service providers with the goals of: 1) supporting policies, formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining operations and improving the business environment; 2) increasing and stabilizing incomes of artisanal and small-scale mining and mineral processing enterprises; 3) addressing environmental and social impacts; 4) supporting women-owned and -run enterprises; 5) facilitating knowledge exchanges between African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. The Programme is also implemented at the continental level, providing support to the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC).

Country Coordinators are responsible for implementation of activities at country level in each of the five focus countries, including in Uganda. The Country Coordinator will be contracted by UNDP and work closely with relevant government agencies, implementation partners, institutions, and non-state actors.

The focus of Phase III in Uganda will be increasing competitiveness and incomes of miners while promoting the integration of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) into inclusive and sustainable Development Minerals value chains; and promoting the adoption of low-carbon, circular materials, and processes throughout the ASM value chain to minimize environmental impact and enhance long-term sustainability.

It is expected that long term benefits of Phase III activities will include growth in employment opportunities, in Development Mineral value chains particularly for women and youth, more sustainable and responsible mineral extraction practices in ASM, and commercial adoption of low-carbon, green and circular building materials production.

Objective/Purpose of the Assignment:

The Country Coordinator will ensure effective implementation of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme in Uganda.

Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative, direct supervision of Team Leader Inclusive Growth and Innovation Team, and reporting to the Programme Manager of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme (UNDP-Brussels); the Country Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

Functions / Key results expected

The Country Coordinator will provide technical, policy, programmatic, operations, knowledge management and partnerships support in Uganda as follows:

Technical and operational advice and support:

• Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of country-level activities for the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme;
• Responsible for country-level oversight and quality assurance of programmatic activities;
• Prepare regular reports on the Programme activities in the country;
• Coordinate meetings of a project steering committee in Uganda.
• Organize and deliver training and capacity building in Uganda;
• Support the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme team in delivering regional and global training and capacity building activities.

Policy and Programme support and advice :

• Working closely with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Programme partners, including the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and ASM stakeholders, to ensure the implementation of the Programme in Uganda;
• Ensure timely and quality reporting and communication of results;
• Ensure conceptualization, conducting and delivering of country-level studies, sector capacity assessments, and capacity development roadmaps;
• Organize country-level conferences, policy dialogues, consultations, public-private roundtables, community workshops and trainings, exhibitions and other knowledge sharing and capacity building events to strengthen sustainable and responsible mineral value chains, and value chains of low-carbon and sustainable construction materials, and foster an enabling environment;
• Ensure appropriate selection of grantees and monitor the quality of small grants projects, working with partners;
• Build new partnerships and advance existing partnerships to achieve the goals and objectives of the Programmes and deliver impact;
• Ensure collaboration with project partners, and consistent support to the Country Working Group of the project in Uganda;
• Ensure linkages with various Government Departments and Offices, including at the local level, and develop, nurture and strengthen inter-departmental synergy and capacities.
• Undertake other activities as needed.

Advise on Knowledge Management and Partnerships:

• Advise and support to the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme’s knowledge management and visibility activities;
• Prepare training/workshop proceedings, lessons learned and emerging best practices reports, annual progress reports and other knowledge products;
• Build strategic alliances and partnerships at the country level on the programme’s thematic focus areas;
• Advise on advocacy, communications and visibility by identification and curation of knowledge sharing and communication opportunities;
• Where necessary, support the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme Team to organize regional knowledge exchange events.

Support and Advise to Country Office Initiatives:

• Ensure linkages with the Inclusive Growth and Innovation stream of work in Uganda and other relevant thematic Programmes;
• Contribute to knowledge products and knowledge sharing on thematic components ensuring accessibility and utilization for programing and communication.

Impact of the results:

• Country-level processes and guidelines are in place to ensure effective implementation of the country-level initiatives for the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme;
• Synergies between training and other in-country activities of the programme are realized due to effective knowledge management and knowledge sharing.
• In-country programme activities are effectively implemented, monitored and reported

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development: Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management: Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

Partnership Management: Relationship Management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding

• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements