Senior Program Officer

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Program officer (SPO), in collaboration with the Senior Gender Officer and Program Team will be responsible for the implementation of the key market systems development activities under DREAMS. The SPO is responsible for project implementation, designing interventions, managing partnerships and resources and will supporting M&E activities. The SPO will ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. He/she will report to and work with the Team Lead and Program Manager to engage in program representation to stakeholders, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers, and external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Planning, developing, and implementing market development activities

• Support market assessments in the target geographic areas to assess current situation, economic opportunities, and resources, needs and potential programs as well as
• In coordination with the Team Leader and local partners, plan, implement and monitor market development
• Review and support PSAs (Private Sector Actors) in developing training materials for businesses, provide capacity building support to PSAs to improve their training approaches and to where necessary participate in capacity building sessions for PSA and micro enterprises.
• Support private sector partners to mobilize targeted microenterprises to fully participate in the market and other opportunities promoted by the program
• Take lead in identifying private sector partners with the right skill and will for systemic change interventions, lead the PSA on boarding process and take lead in managing the partnerships to     ensure attainment of project outputs, objectives, and
• Compile reports on PSA activities, review PSA reports and request for PSA payments according to milestones

1. Collaboration/Networking

• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with OPM, UNHCR, district and sub-county leaders, representing Mercy Corps, and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government, NGOs, and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager

1. Representation and Coordination

• Be the focal person for coordination, partnership, and related activities with several local level private sector services providers and related
• Liaise with OPM, UNHCR, local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of DREAMS’ market-based
• Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing DREAMS at local coordination meetings as
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Uganda and to not jeopardize its humanitarian

1. Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work closely with the monitoring and evaluation staff to capture data for measuring output and impact of the program; and to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when
• Maintain proper filing

1. Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps Uganda’s commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit the DREAMS program as well as

1. Accountability to Beneficiaries: Support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to direct program participants, engaging them as equal partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of our field

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, agribusiness, agriculture, economic development, or other relevant fields required.
• Background in business or market/economic development, with minimum of 5 years’ practical experience in the private sector, NGO working with Private Sector or related
• Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly, highly
• Experience in working in refugee settlements is preferred.
• Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills. Language skills in Lugbara, Aringa, Kakwa, Juba-Arabic, highly valued.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office
• Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating
• Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment
• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
• Knowledge of the agricultural, service, trade, and industry sectors, highly
• Some practical experience in working with very small, small, and medium sized companies in a development

Must Poses a valid Motorcycle driving permit. Position is based in the West Nile region.

Application closes on the 1st of November 2021.