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Position Title: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Organisation:Mercy Corps
Employment type: Full time
Location: Kotido
Required languages: English
Background Information:
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.
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps implements high quality, analytical development work in very
difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently
implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda
with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. We were recently awarded a
market-development focused 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded program working
in the northern half of Karamoja, and are in search of six creative problem
solvers with private sector experience to fill the position of Economic
Development Officers. The project, called ‘The North Karamoja Growth, Health,
and Governance Program’, aims to support the immediate needs of program
beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic
improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja. The Economic
Development Officer will participate in the daily implementation of the
development programming through support to key business partners including
commercial banks, MFIs, SACCOs, agro processors, traders, transporters, input
sellers, pharmacies, animal and human healthcare providers, consumer goods
retailers, and a host of other actors. It is an opportunity for a result
oriented and self-motivated individual looking for a serious challenge.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Economic Development Officer is responsible for assisting in the
implementation and support of facilitation projects that make beneficial
products and services accessible to households within the geographic focus of
the program. These activities will work almost exclusively through private
sector actors, seeking to crowd in provision rather than displace or replicate
private actors with donor-funded services. Facilitation projects will include,
but are not limited to, support the creation of an enabling financial inclusion
environment, increasing access to tillage services, improving access to
beneficial and life-saving health products, developing agent input and
aggregator networks, improving the service offerings and profitable provision
of community animal health services, commercializing access to fuel efficient
stoves, increasing availability of solar products and improved accessibility to
local hand pump repair and spare parts.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program:
§ With support from the team leader, carry out market assessments, value
chain analyses, and the development of sector-focused strategies;
§ Recommend program priorities and explore, evaluate and present new
opportunities that with high potential for impact;
§ Introduce the program to relevant stakeholders including local business
owners, local representatives and community members. Foster ongoing positive
cooperation with these stakeholders;
§ Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to
maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC
programs, if any;
Partnership Management:
§ Identify, assess and develop partnership strategies for potential private
sector GHG partners;
§ Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county
and district leaders and production and marketing departments, soliciting their
participation in all activities where appropriate;
§ Make on-site field visits regularly to provide technical review and/or
design suggestions;
§ Work with team leader(s) and Mercy Corps technical staff in order to
develop potential projects, implement and closely monitor selected economic
development projects including detailed work plans and business plans.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
§ Create a dynamic program environment that promotes inquiry;
§ Take primary responsibility for sector-focused data gathering;
§ Establish procedures and guidelines to monitor and evaluate the progress
and impact of economic development support work including setting and measuring
benchmarks along results chains;
§ Analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to
program success and provide timely recommendations;
§ Provide data in support of team submission of timely weekly, monthly, and
quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during
implementation.
§ Where needed support external evaluations by research partner Feinstein
International Centre and other organizations;
§ Work with the Chief Learning Officer to ensure accurate and timely flow of
information from the field for entry in the database and for preparation of PR
materials
Other:
§ Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a
manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian
mission;
§ Other duties as assigned by the line manager.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
§ University degree in business, economics or a related field and at least 2
years of professional experience
§ Experience working in Retail Banking
§ Willingness to work on the field
§ Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people
§ Ability to evaluate businesses and business plans
§ Skills in networking, team-working, and community consultations
§ Good reporting, communication and representation skills
§ Good spoken and written English. Fluency in Ngakarimojong and Ethurr is an
advantage
Minimum years of experience:2 years
Required IT skills: MS Office (in general)
Minimum Edducation Level:Bachelors degree
How to apply:
Submit your application including a
cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees),
and copies of academic qualifications/certificates to the HR/Admin Manager,
Kampala Head Office in Nsambya on Plot 1102 Nsambya Estate Road. E-mailed
applications with cover letter to mcuganda@ug.mercycorps.org will also be
accepted.
Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Wednesday, 19th March, 2014. Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Female Candidates are encouraged
to apply.
