Program Officer - Market Systems Development job at Mercy Corps
About the Organization
Mercy Corps is a global non-governmental, humanitarian aid organization operating in transitional contexts that have undergone, or have been undergoing, various forms of economic, environmental, social and political instabilities.
Job Description
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. Operating in Uganda since 2006 with proven track-record of providing market-oriented solutions focused on humanitarian response, food security, market systems development, peacebuilding, and resilience, Mercy Corps applies market-driven solutions in communities across the Country, equipping individuals and households with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to improve their access to markets, livelihoods, health, nutrition, and security, to improve their overall resilience. Our programs focus on:
Strengthening market systems to enable inclusive economic growth and resilience
Strengthening governance structures, to prioritize and advocate for community needs, making informed decisions, and allocating resources in a participatory, transparent, and accountable manner.
Building institutional capacity to enable communities to attain better health, nutrition, and sexual reproductive health outcomes
Meeting the immediate needs of refugees and hosting communities, while strengthening market systems and resilience capacities.
Since 2016, Mercy Corps has been responding to the refugee crisis in Uganda. Our interventions cover both the settlements in Northern Uganda and Urban centers where refugees have congregated.
Program Summary
The Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems (DREAMS) program is a collaboration between three leading organizations in the field of global poverty alleviation: Village Enterprise, Mercy Corps, and IDinsight. The DREAMS program aims to improve the well-being of 150,000 women, children, and men over the course of the five years. Targeting refugees and host community members in the West Nile region of Uganda, our innovative approach is layering two evidence-based models [1] - poverty graduation and market systems development - to achieve increased household income, savings, and assets: improved food security and wellbeing.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Officer-Market Systems Development will be responsible for the implementation of the different Market Development activities under DREAMS. The PO-MSD is responsible for project implementation, designing interventions, managing partnerships and resources and will support impact measurement via several MEL assessments. The PO-MSD will ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. He/she will report to and work with the Team Leader to engage in program representation to stakeholders, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers, and external stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
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
In coordination with the Team Leader and local partners, plan, implement and monitor market development
Review and support PSAs (Private Sector Actors) in developing training materials for businesses, provide capacity building support to PSAs to improve their training approaches and to, where necessary, participate in capacity building sessions for PSA and micro enterprises.
Support private sector partners to mobilize targeted microenterprises to fully participate in the market and other opportunities promoted by the
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
Compile reports on PSA activities, review PSA reports and request for PSA payments according to milestones
Collaboration/Networking
Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with OPM, UNHCR, district and sub-county leaders, representing Mercy Corps, and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as
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
Representation and Coordination
Be the focal person for coordination, partnership, and related activities with several local level private sector services providers and related
Liaise with OPM, UNHCR, local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of DREAMS' market-based
Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing DREAMS at local coordination meetings as eUsFOAh B2LsYN
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
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
Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
Respond to queries if and when Maintain proper filing
Qualification, Experiences and Competencies
Bachelor's Degree in business, agribusiness, agriculture, economic development, or other relevant fields 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
Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly, highly
Experience working in refugee settlements is preferred.
Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills. Language skills in Lugbara, Aringa, Kakwa, Juba-Arabic, highly valued.
Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office
Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating
Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal
Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely
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
Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
Knowledge of the agricultural, service, trade, and industry sectors, highly
Experience working with very small, small, and medium sized companies in a development
How to Apply
APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION MUST BE DONE ONLINE:
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