Mercy Corps Deputy Country Director Jobs in Uganda

Mercy Corps Deputy Country Director Jobs in Uganda

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.Now, and for the future.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

Demonstrate visible leadership and adherence to Mercy Corps' core values, principles and strategy.

Support Country Director to communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals of Mercy Corps Uganda to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.

Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to the country strategy, including through fundraising.

Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.

Program Management

Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities, authorities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps' program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and vision.

Provide leadership and direction to program staff and support the Country Director to strengthen program strategies, program quality, partnerships, and accountability in accordance with Mercy Corps and donor policies.

Manage and maintain ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations, focusing on the integration of programs.

Provide technical leadership and advice to program teams as required, particularly in the domains of market systems development, food security, livelihoods and financial services.

Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on budget, using effective M&E systems to demonstrate the desired impact.

Ensure that regular monitoring of project activities and project impact is undertaken, in accordance with existing Mercy Corps' Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation guidelines.

Oversee program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution processes and capacity building of partners as needed.

Support TOLA, an open-source software built internally to improve how we evaluate program data by providing adaptable tools, and promoting better learning and sharing of information.

Maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources and timely, accurate and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.

Build a cohesive team spirit and culture among staff and delegate functions and responsibilities to them while ensuring achievement of program objectives.

Demonstrate a commitment to nationalize key program positions.

Maintain effective and positive internal communication with Mercy Corps staff in all field offices.

This includes ensuring open and harmonious communication between different departments, offices, and programs.

Supervise, provide leadership, mentor and build the capacity of senior program staff in program/project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and management, in order to foster a working atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellence at all levels.

Recruit, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on one meetings and performance reviews.

Influence, Representation & Fundraising

Identify and lead on fundraising opportunities for the sustainable growth of country programs, including proposal design and development that contributes to the strategic objectives of the country strategy.

Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with donors (both traditional and corporate), Government of Uganda representatives, consortium partners, sub-grantees, and other stakeholders.

Maintain critical relationships.
Communicate with Mercy Corps headquarters, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donor community officials, national government, vendors, media and the general public in a way that fosters linkages, optimizes networks, avoids overlap, shares resources, and ensures program success.

In agreement with the Country Director, take on a representation role on specific coordination working groups or forums.

Finance & Compliance Management

Ensure compliance and transparent use of resources in line with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

Monitor adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps'

policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations, including those of the Government of Uganda.

As part of the senior management team, work within operations systems for program impact including finance, logistics, security, and administration.

Work with Program Heads on proper budget management, including forecasting and procurement planning.

Knowledge and Experience

Proven track record in successful proposal writing and program development.

MA/S and/or equivalent in management, international development or other relevant field.

At least 10 years of expatriate experience, including at least five years in a senior management position.

Experience managing development and humanitarian programs as well as transitional programs in insecure areas affected by conflict.

Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including food security, market systems development, gender, livelihoods and financial services.

Strong M&E skills with extensive field experience in developing practical, useful and timely monitoring systems, both at the program- and country-level, which promote the use of data for adaptive management and learning.

Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues.

Strong management skills with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.

Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members.

Strong understanding of conflict sensitive program mainstreaming and gender or protection mainstreaming would be an advantage.

Previous experience working Africa is desired..

Success Factors

The successful DCD will skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team.

S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level.

The role is a hands-on position and success will be determined by the level of direct engagement in program development, oversight of projects, fundraising for new projects and representing the agency to stakeholders.

The successful DCD should welcome multi-tasking and take an active role in program design and overarching strategy.

Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Knowledge and Experience