Mercy Corps has been present in Uganda since 2006, focusing its interventions on economic and agricultural development, maternal child health and nutrition, governance, conflict management and humanitarian response. With funding from USAID, DFID, GIZ, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and private foundations including Mastercard, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in Uganda to drive transformative change in the communities where we work, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of youth, refugees and adolescent girls. In 2018, Mercy Corps reached almost 1 million participants in Uganda through our work to build resilience and enable economic growth, improve health and nutrition, and strengthen governance and conflict management. Innovation is at the core of Mercy Corps’ work in Uganda, and we look to accelerate innovative solutions to meet the challenges Ugandans face, through a focus on job creation, financial services access, and durable solutions to the needs of refugees.
The Mercy Corps Uganda Country Director is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Uganda. Looking to build on interventions that have already achieved lasting improvement in the lives of more than 930,000 Ugandans, s/he will continue to build a high-performing portfolio of transformative, multi-sectoral programming that is accountable to both program participants and donors. Placing a high value on innovative solutions to complex development challenges and creative partnerships, s/he pursues funding opportunities and builds partnerships that strategically connect programs into a cohesive country portfolio, guided by a long-term strategy. With an overall budget of approximately $70 million, the Country Director has full supervisory responsibility for the country team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of Ugandans.
Supervisory Responsibility:
5 direct reports (Director of Programs, Chief of Party – Apolou, Operations Director, Finance Director, Sr. Human Resource and Legal Manager) and 200 indirect staff.
Reports Directly To: Deputy Regional Director
Works Directly With:, HQ-based Program, Operations, Finance, Compliance, Fundraising and Technical Support Unit; Uganda leadership and program team, as well as staff involved in multi-country and complex programming.
The successful Uganda Country Director will articulate a fresh and compelling vision for Mercy Corps in Uganda and skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional 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 Country Director should welcome multi-tasking and taking 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.
The Country Director is based in the capital city Kampala. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is family accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are several international schools in Uganda. Staff have a high degree of access to services (medical, electricity, water, etc). This position requires 35% travel by road and air to field offices.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit or short term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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