Business Planning & Investments Management Internship Job Vacancy

Closing Date: Tuesday, 07 December 2010


Job title:Uganda Business Planning & Investments Management Internship

Mercy Corps

Closing date: 07 Dec 2010

Location: Uganda - KARAMOJA

(Ref: 217259-927)

INTERNSHIP TITLE: Uganda Business Planning & Investments Management Internship

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: KARAMOJA, UGANDA (Kotido base with field travel throughout Karamoja)

ANTICIPATED DATES OF INTERNSHIP: September 2010-November (flexibility in start dates but 3 month requirement)

ANTICIPATED LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: 3 months with option to extend

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP/VOLUNTEER:

No funding available but Mercy Corps will provide accommodation

Mercy Corps responsibilities: For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

* Housing

* Reimbursement of Entry Visa

* Financial Coverage for all Work- Related travel within Uganda

Intern/Volunteer responsibilities: Intern will remain responsible for costs associated with:

* Food

* Travel to Uganda

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Horn Food Price Crisis Response (HFPCR) Program's objective is to rebuild livelihoods and promote economic development through productive activities that create and diversify household assets complemented by strategic demand-side market linkages to support priority sectors. This is accomplished in part through investments in approximately 14 market infrastructure projects (at a sub-county level), 115 small-scale entrepreneur (value chain) projects and private sector engagement to encourage appropriate investment. The primary focus of the Business Planning & Investments Management Intern will be to assist the program team in analyzing operational and business plans for investment projects, liase with private sector partners- local/ regional/ and national- and document investment projects and positive deviance examples.

With a focus on economic sustainability, the Intern will assist with oversight of the roll-out of the investment projects. Economic sustainability occurs when 'market systems are capable of generating incomes and livelihoods for people, and ensuring that relevant, differentiated goods and services continue to be available and accessible (offered and consumed) beyond the period of an intervention'.

OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Market Infrastructure Projects

* Ensure data for each Market Infrastructure Project is compiled in a legible, systematic and complete fashion that can be easily referenced. For pre-exisiting structures establish a clear baseline based on agreed upon indicators.

* Document profiles of key market infrastructure projects (1 per sub-county)

* Work with stakeholders and Mercy Corps team members in the finalization of operational plans for market infrastructure projects including financial projections and clear management plans.

Small-scale entrepreneur (Value-chain) Projects

* Ensure data for small scale entrepreneur projects are compiled in a systemic and complete fashion including drawing clear linkages as possible to market infrastructure projects.

* Document positive deviance examples of successful private sector businesses in the Karamoja region (both within and outside the HFPCR program)

* Work with stakeholders and Mercy Corps team members to roll-out and monitor selected economic development projects.

* Assist with local procurement prioritization for MC contribution to the entrepreneur projects- includes mapping needed inputs, potential suppliers and creation of a voucher system.

Overall

* Review income/ expense and business training materials and make recommendations for changes as needed.

* Research and meet potential Business Service Providers (including Karamoja Private Sector, Traders Associations, Chambers of Commerce, regional/ national companies willing to work in Karamoja) and provide recommendations as to potential engagement for business training to investment clients.

* Assist with mapping out key potential private sector partnerships based on roundtable attendance and additional information from the program team. Meet with private sector partners as available to continue engagement and determine incentives needed to encourage investment in Karamoja.

* Work with Uganda M&E Team to improve their monitoring and evaluations systems, impact monitoring, and lessons learned compilations in regard to investment projects.

DELIVERABLES:

* All Market Infrastructure Projects are fully documented (proposal, budget, work/business plans)

* Three case studies developed on projects that are achieving above expectations (at least one should be from larger infrastructure project)

* Where they exist, Positive Deviance examples are researched and documented.

* Assistance and editing of one quarterly donor report.

* At least three blogs written for Mercy Corps Website.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

* An M.S., MBA, or equivalent in an agriculture, agricultural economics, agricultural finance, economic development, or related field.

* Knowledge of rural development and local economic development;

* Background in governance, civil society, and participatory decision-making is a plus

* Business / private sector experience is a plus.

* Experience in a variety of market-based approaches including, but not limited to, increasing productivity, crop/livestock diversification, cooperative/association technical assistance and development, business development, accessing financial services, maximizing profitability and participation in market (agri-food) chains, value-added processing, and the creation or support to a variety of production/business/rural support services.

* Prior experience with Value Chain/ Market Development analysis/mapping and access to credit

* Experience working with business development programs

* Strong organizational skills and computer literate

LIVING CONDITIONS:

Living conditions are remote. The Region of Karamoja is often insecure and there may be a need to relocate depending on the prevailing security conditions. At the field site there is no national grid and all electricity comes from solar power and generators. Food variety is limited but available in a small number of restaurants and hotels. There are a growing number of NGOs and international personnel which equates to a growing social scene.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.

How to apply

Apply online at our website:

http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217259&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479

Reference Code: RW_8A2AMH-90

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