Project Management Specialist (Humanitarian Assistance Policy Advisor)

USAID/Uganda is seeking qualified candidates for the position of the Project Management Specialist (Humanitarian Assistance Policy Advisor). The USAID Project Management Specialist (Humanitarian Assistance Policy Advisor) is located within the Humanitarian Assistance and Transitions Office and reports to the Office Director or his/her designate.

USAID Project Management Specialist (Humanitarian Assistance Policy Advisor) – (HAPA) is an essential member of the Humanitarian Assistance and Transitions Office (HATO) at USAID/Uganda and is considered a field staff member of the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).

The primary responsibilities of the HAPA is to analyze complex policy issues, identify key stakeholders, and influence the broader political and social context to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of USAID/Uganda’s humanitarian assistance to refugees and host communities. The Specialist must be able to assess policy implications, anticipate challenges, and devise plans to advance USAID activities and programs that respond to refugee case management, crisis and disasters, support early recovery and disaster risk reduction, promote resilience, combat hunger and malnutrition, improve food security, and prevent or mitigate food insecurity.

The Specialist must have clear and persuasive communication skills for conveying USAID/Uganda’s positions, influencing decision-makers, and mobilizing support. This skill encompasses both written and verbal communication, as well as the ability to tailor messages to different audiences. The Specialist must be able to articulate complex issues in a compelling and accessible manner.

Additionally, the Specialist must be able to develop and maintain relationships with policymakers, government officials, community leaders, and other relevant

stakeholders which involves networking, cultivating partnerships, and building

coalitions to strengthen the organization’s influence and support base.

Finally, the Specialist must be willing to deploy within the region to respond to disasters for up to one month annually. The position requires extensive coordination and integration with BHA/Washington, the BHA Regional Office in Nairobi, and USAID/Uganda activities. The Specialist must be able to work with partners to accomplish the goals of both USAID/Uganda and BHA.

1. EDUCATION

Master’s level degree in humanitarian assistance, public health, agriculture, nutrition, international development, public policy or other related field is required.

2. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible management-level experience in development programming is required, six years of which must be in the emergency sector, food security, or resilience sector.

Demonstrated expertise specific to humanitarian assistance management that includes the following: design, management, or evaluation of international humanitarian assistance activities (to include in-kind food, cash transfers or cash voucher programs); managing food aid commodity procurement and/or transport; management of food security and resilience programs; policy dialogue, policy influence and providing rapid responses to quick onset emergencies.

This should include experience working either for USAID, other donors, multinational or non-governmental organizations, Government of Uganda organizations, or private sector institutions involving project management, monitoring, and budgeting. Demonstrated experience relevant to refugees, individuals impacted by disasters, Karamoja, or other vulnerable populations, and knowledge of Ugandan stakeholders in the emergency, food aid, resilience, and agriculture sectors.