Program Specialist, Health Job Opportunity – Peace Corps Uganda (PCUG)
Job Title: Program Specialist, Health
Organization: Peace Corps Uganda (PCUG)
Duty Station: Kololo Kampala Uganda
Reports to: Director of Programming and Training (DPT)
About US:
Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.
Operating in Uganda since 2006, Mercy Corps has field offices in Kitgum, Gulu, Kotido, Moroto, Arua, Yumbe, Amudat and Kaabong and implements programs that cover a wide variety of program sectors including food security, health/nutrition, water/ sanitation, peace building, youth, agriculture, and econ development.
Job Summary: The Program Specialist, Health provides support to the Program Manager for Peace Corps Uganda’s Community Health Project. The Program Specialist works as part of a team with the Director of Programming and Training and the Program Manager and collaborates closely with all members of the Programming and Training and Administrative Units. Additional responsibilities include managing the Volunteer Reporting Process which includes training, trouble shooting, reporting and coordination with all post staff and Volunteers.
The functions include assisting in the following: developing and maintaining project plans; identifying viable, effective and safe sites and housing for Peace Corps Volunteers; monitoring and evaluating the implementation of individual Volunteer projects to ensure their quality and consistency with the project plans; designing and managing appropriate technical training to enhance the initial placement of Volunteers and the quality of their projects; supporting Volunteers at their sites; supporting and monitoring the safety and security of Volunteers; and serving as a liaison between Peace Corps, Ministries and Agencies engaged in community development.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist with Project Development and Management (approximately 25% of the time)
- Assist in developing and maintaining Peace Corps projects that reflect and serve the needs of Uganda.
- Assist in preparing documentation for the Peace Corps projects that conforms to the mission, goals and standards of Peace Corps.
- Assist in developing assignments for Volunteers through site identification visits and other relevant activities, and in maintaining contacts with potential sponsoring agencies to assure that prospective sites meet the minimum criteria for safety and security, workable job assignment, and viable housing situations for Volunteers. Housing responsibilities include but are not limited to identification, minimum checks, problem solving, liaison with agencies, follow up and referrals to medical and safety and security administrators.
- Assist in compiling and maintaining complete Site History files that include important safety and security-related information that is used to determine each site’s acceptability using PC Uganda’s guidelines.
Assist with Pre-Service and In-Service Training (approximately 20% of the time)
- Be part of the team that ensures that Trainees are given a good start and
- Volunteers are better prepared to be a valuable member of their Ugandan communities by:
- Assisting in designing, implementing, and evaluating pre-service training.
- Participating in the evaluation of the qualifications of each potential new Volunteer during pre-service training.
- Assisting in developing, conducting, and evaluating in-service training events.
- Assisting in integrating safety and security concerns into all training events.
Assist with Project Monitoring and Evaluation (approximately 10% of the time)
- Assist in designing and implementing effective project monitoring and evaluation activities that include safety and security.
- Assist in preparing annual monitoring documents.
- Assist in preparing site visit reports and project evaluation reports.
Assist with Volunteer Support (approximately 20% of the time)
- Assist with and travel throughout the country to provide advice and support to
- Volunteers, their counterparts and supervisors and their host families in order to enhance working relationships, community integration, and assure safety and security. Document activities and results in regular site visit reports.
- Assist with developing and maintaining systems (Volunteer reports, VIDA, Site Visit Reports, etc.) that maintain good communication with and provide channels for soliciting feedback from Volunteers, including information regarding their safety and security.
- Act as a champion to Volunteers in their day to day activities
- Maintain up-to-date information regarding relevant legislation; national policy changes; contact lists of relevant local organizations, institutions, and agencies; and other published resources including reference texts, professional journals and other similar information; and make the information readily available to Volunteers.
- Coordinate the Advancing Health Professionals (AHP) program under Peace Corps
Response (approximately 15% of the time)
- Identify, prepare and monitor appropriate AHP sites.
- Liaise with Peace Corps Response and AHP partners on program activities and reporting requirements.
- Provide broad support to AHP Volunteers and monitor their work at site.
- Assist in designing, implementing, and evaluating AHP Volunteers’ orientation in country.
Safety and Security (approximately 5% of the time)
- Keep the Safety & Security Coordinator informed of any safety and security concerns at a Volunteer’s site.
- Per Manual Section 270, maintain familiarity with the Emergency Action Plan, with specific responsibilities required in the event of an emergency, and with the procedures for reporting and responding to safety and security incidents.
Other Duties and Activities (approximately 5% of the time)
- Assist in planning, implementing and monitoring Center-funded activities in Conformance with relevant Peace Corps Washington and Center regulations
- Maintain project files and handle correspondence
- Make arrangements for meetings and conferences
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Addresses Volunteer safety and security by adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures. Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the Country Director (CD). Assists Program Managers/APCDs to ensure that prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.).
- Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites, and incorporates appropriate safety and security-related information into site history files. Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security. Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Acts as duty officer, as needed. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate must hold a University degree in a field of study relevant for projects in community and public health.
- Excellent computer skills including word processing and spreadsheet programs; excellent command of English, both spoken and written; native ability in spoken and written at least one Ugandan language; ability to work independently with little supervision; good organization and time management skills; willingness to take initiative; excellent teamwork skills, strong service attitude; personal integrity; strong cross-cultural skills; strong interpersonal skills, strong interest in Uganda’s development.
- Experience of at least two years of related work with relevant government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, or private businesses.
- Ability to work on a regular Monday through Friday schedule with occasional evening and weekend hours when necessary.
- Ability to travel extensively at least 40% of the time
- Must be legally able to work in Uganda
Position Elements:
- Supervision Received: Supervised by the Director of Programming and Training with daily direction provided by the Program Manager for Health. For new, difficult, or unusual tasks, supervisors give directions on objectives and suggested procedures. The Program Specialist is expected to take the initiative to meet established deadlines, and document and communicate procedures to the Program Manager.
- Available Guidelines: 1) Peace Corps Manual, 2) Foreign Affairs Manual 3) instructions provided by the Program Managers and the Director of Programming and Training.
- Exercise of Judgment: Broad exercise of judgment within the confines of job responsibilities.
- Authority to Make Commitments: The Program Specialist is expected to research, negotiate, and suggest solutions within the confines of the job responsibilities.
- Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Works closely with Program Managers, PEPFAR unit, Director of Programming and Training, Training Manager, Country Director and Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers. Communicates at all levels as required by the job responsibilities.
- Supervision Exercised: None
How to apply:
Please submit a Word formatted letter of interest, resume (maximum 3 pages), names and contact information for three references to ug-applications@peacecorps.gov
Clearly indicate your name and the position applied for on the subject line of the cover email as well as on all the attachments: For example “Akello Ritah_PS Health” for the
Program Specialist, Health. Do not write any other words in the subject line of your mail.
Submitted documents become the property of the Peace Corps.
Peace Corps Uganda provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
You will be contacted ONLY if you are deemed qualified. If called for an interview, you will be expected to carry a reference letter from your area Local Council (LC 1) as well as copies of your academic credentials.
Deadline: Monday 18th November 2019 4:45 pm