Mercy Corps Market Development Officer in Gulu Uganda Jobs

Mercy Corps Market Development Officer in Gulu Uganda Jobs

Closing date: 05 Aug 2019

Program/department Summary:

Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities.

Our works focus on building resilience and enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management.

We implement programs in the districts of Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Agago, and Lamwo in Acholi and entire Karamoja as well as eastern Uganda with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.

Mercy Corps’ programs in Acholi sub region currently focus on market development, agriculture, financial services, and youth empowerment.

Working in consortia with GOAL, VSO and Restless Development, the Driving Youth-led New Agribusiness and Microenterprise (DYNAMIC) program will strengthen systems and facilitate creation of sustainable economic opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

DYNAMIC’s goal is to increase the number of young people who are in secure employment or self-employment and to promote agricultural market systems for youth.

DYNAMIC will reach 125,000 out-of-school youth aged 15–24 in nine districts of northern Uganda over five years. Through a market facilitation approach, youth already engaged in on-farm activities will move from subsistence to more productive and profitable farming.

DYNAMIC will increase the employability of youth by facilitating access to demand driven technical skills, knowledge and market information.

In parallel, DYNAMIC will link agribusinesses and microenterprises to market opportunities and diverse stakeholders, and ensure they can utilize financial services.

General Position Summary:

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified Ugandan to fill the position of Market Development Officer. Reporting to the Program Manager, the position is a technical position with responsibilities including implementing all aspects of the market systems development component at the district and lower level.

S/he will be required to apply a wide variety of market development tools and approaches in order to catalyze innovative services and facilitate linkages between market actors in the assigned program areas.

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 challenges.

In coordination with the Technical advisors and local partners, plan, implement and monitor market development activities.

Review and support PSAs in developing training materials for youth, provide capacity building support to PSAs to improve their training approaches and to where necessary participate in capacity building sessions for youth.

Support private sector partners to mobilize targeted youth 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 outcomes.

Compile reports on PSA activities, review PSA reports and request for PSA payments according to milestones met.

2. Collaboration/Networking

Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with district and sub-county leaders, representing Mercy Corps and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed.

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.

3. Representation and Coordination

The focal person for coordination, partnership and related activities with

a number of local level private sector services providers, and related stakeholders.

Liaise with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of DYNAMIC’s market-based programs.

Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing DYNAMIC at local coordination meetings as assigned.

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 mission.

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 field.

Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary.

Maintain proper filing system.

5. 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 DYNAMIC program as well as themselves.

6. 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 activities.

Do This

Supervisory Responsibility: None
Reports Directly to: Team Leader, DYNAMIC Gulu office

Works Directly With: Dynamic program team members, finance, Operations officers and Manager

Ethics and Integrity

All Mercy Corps staff member are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment or exploitation.

Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.

Knowledge and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in business, agribusiness, agriculture, economic development or other relevant field required.

Background in business or market/economic development, with minimum of 3 years’ practical experience in the private sector, NGO working with Private Sector or related industry.

Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly, highly preferred.

Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills. Language skills in Luo highly valued.

Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.

Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills.

Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.

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 mandatory.

Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.

Knowledge of the agricultural sectors highly desirable.

Some practical experience in working with very small, small and medium sized companies in a development setting.

Must Poses a valid Motorcycle driving permit.

How to apply: Submit your application through email to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org addressed to the Human Resource Director, Mercy Corps Uganda.

Include a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Monday, 05th August, 2019.

Subject of email should include the position you are applying for. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.