Economic Development Advisor (217358-927) Job Vacancy

Job Title: Economic Development Advisor (217358-927)

Mercy Corps

Closing date: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Uganda - Kampala

This position is contingent upon funding

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and directly implements programs in the northern Districts of Pader, Kitgum, Kaabong and Kotido with funding from USAID’s, Food for Peace (FFP), Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), Conflict Management & Mitigation (CMM), as well as Private Donations. Over the past year Mercy Corps Uganda has experienced significant growth that has resulted in the expansion into new districts and the development of new sub-grant alliances with international and national NGOs. Working in transitional environments, Mercy Corps is working in two regions of northern Uganda to assist IDPs who are voluntarily returning home, and integrate well-targeted short-term humanitarian assistance with a larger program of market-based investments in strategic asset-building. By addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of activities (livelihoods, peace building, agriculture, water and sanitation, health and nutrition, and economic development) Mercy Corps takes an integrated approach to ensure the greatest possible impact. The Districts in which Mercy Corps works are generally the most marginalized, poverty stricken, and conflict prone.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Economic Development Advisor (EDA) will lead Mercy Corps’ contribution to a potential USAID-funded program. The program to improve the socio-economic circumstances of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Uganda. The EDA will have a solid foundation in economic development and an understanding of market facilitation. S/He will be primarily responsible for improving the capacities of local civil society organizations (CSOs) to provide economic development assistance to their beneficiary populations, and will frequently be directly involved in training CSO staff. S/He will also be responsible for performing market analyses in order to identify viable business opportunities for OVCs, which s/he will digest into reports and relay to local partner organizations. Lastly, s/he will be intimately involved with a thorough, project-area-wide household economic assessment effort and with the training of CSOs in needs assessments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

- Supervise the economic component of the program, including formation of economic development projects for youths and caregivers of OVCs; starting up / enhancing existing solidarity groups and overseeing rural micro-lending and savings initiatives including:
- Gather market intelligence and support local business people / groups to effectively utilize it to improve market access and boost local expertise in cross-border trade
- Improve local saving / credit / investment initiatives by facilitating the formation of village savings and loan associations and improving access to start-up capital (cash and / or equipment) through group contributions, increasing business profits and access to formal financial institutions
- Perform value chain analyses of select subsectors
- Refine value chain development strategy and support local partners to formulate strategies to increase access to markets, create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods
- Provide advisory services to partnering groups and explore collaborative opportunities to develop linkages between target beneficiaries and key value chain actors
- Through group and one-to-one training, build capacity of new and existing business groups
- Explore and advise key stakeholders on localization and implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP), Local Economic Development (LED) and Value Chain Development (VCD) models
- Facilitate dialogue between various stakeholders aimed at improving policy and conflict resolution mechanisms at the local level to remove economic barriers to business growth and expansion
- Support new and existing groups to formulate and enforce group policies; maintain proper records; identify and take advantage of investment opportunities
- Liaise with other Program Managers and the project CoP,
- Develop comprehensive capacity building plan for local partners and make appropriate follow up.
- Maintain effective monitoring and reporting in conformity with program and country DM&E systems.
- Work collaboratively with other stakeholders both local and international working in similar sectors in the region.
- Foster a collaborative, dynamic team atmosphere which engages project partners and stakeholders.
- Conduct him/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

Organizational Learning

As part of our 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 Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Project economic development staff.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Chief of Party, Mercy Corps Deputy Country Director,

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other project staff to be determined.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

- Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including Livelihoods, Agriculture, and Youth Development.
- Experience performing value chain analyses and identifying viable business opportunities for vulnerable populations.
- Experience training local organizations in market facilitation.
- Experience managing a grants facility for local organizations.
- Experience developing VSLAs and networks of community-based VSLA trainers.
- Trained and knowledgeable in DM&E concepts and methodologies. M&E experience should include conducting assessments and surveys, program design using a logical framework approach, selecting indicators, implementing monitoring plans, coordinating evaluations and data analysis.
- Experience supervising national staff, starting up programs and working in difficult environments.
- History of working effectively with host country government, USAID and other donors, National and International NGO partners, and collaborating with other actors.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in business, economics, international studies or related field with MA/S preferred.
- 7- 10 years’ experience in international relief and development.
- 5-7 years in senior leadership positioning in building teams, developing programs and financial.
- High level of proficiency in English is required, familiarity with local languages strongly preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful candidate will be able to manage a large program across a diverse geographic area; have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program environments; be collaborative with program partners and focused on team-building and capacity-building of national staff; have effective verbal and written communication proficiency; and have excellent information management skills.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. The position holder is expected to conduct him/herself in a professional manner and respect the local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Kampala is susceptible and has been the target of terrorist attacks but continues to provide a fairly secure living environment with many of the amenities you would expect in a capital city. With preparation and strong foresight one can avoid many of the frustrations that occur. The city center is congested with major traffic delays. One can anticipate the occasional power and/or water outages.

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=217358&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479
Reference Code: RW_8CVC9T-60