Partnership and Capacity Building Officer Job Placements – Mercy Corps
Job Title: Partnership and Capacity Building Officer
Organization: Mercy Corps
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Partnerships and Governance Team Leader
About US:
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. Working in Uganda since 2006, Mercy Corps has applied market-driven solutions to communities across the country, equipping individuals and households with the knowledge, skills and confidence to generate improvements in their access to markets, livelihoods, health, nutrition, and security, in order to improve their overall resilience.
Job Summary: The primary focus of the Partnerships and Capacity Building Officer will be to provide strategic guidance, build local partner technical, financial and operational capacity, and serve as a key adviser to one of Apolou’s local partners: KAPDA, RIAM RIAM or AIDI. The position will be embedded within the local partner organization. The position will support the development and implementation of strategies to develop local partner capacity and networks across all four districts.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Monitoring & Evaluation
- In close coordination with the M&E team implement M&E protocols and procedures to ensure accurate reporting of data against program indicators for Mercy Corps and the local partner.
- Ensure that the local partner is fully aware of and understands the data reporting requirements, the M&E system which they are required to follow and the indicators that they are tracking.
- Follow standard operating procedures when it comes to documenting monitoring of partners (reports, meeting minutes, spot checks etc.)
Compliance
- Ensure the compliance of local partners to their subgrant agreements, and monitor that they are meeting the agreed upon milestones on time, on scope and on budget.
- Compile and organize the necessary paperwork to ensure timely payment of all local partners in line with their sub grant agreement.
Documentation & Knowledge Management
- Implement a document management system in partnership with local partners to regularly document activities, success stories and administrative issues (e.g. distributions or transfer documentation) in soft and hard copy.
- Contribute to reports as required by Mercy Corps and its donor.
Partnership Management and Strategy
- Identify, organize and execute strategic trainings and capacity development opportunities for local partners.
- Ensure that capacity building strategies are implemented and updated for all local partners.
- Implement and support team members to implement the Organizational Capacity Index on an annual basis with all local partners. Track, oversee and document their capacity development progress.
- Work with local partners to integrate social behavior change and gender initiatives into their everyday work and activities.
- Identify and develop networking opportunities for Apolou local partners within Karamoja and beyond to strengthen their capacity and further engage civil society.
- This position will have primary responsibility for management, leadership and support to the local partner.
- The position will provide advice on technical aspects of the training and implementation of good governance, community mobilization and engagement strategies for the local partner.
- Provide key support to the local partner for technical, financial and operational capacity building to ensure that they meet their objectives on time, on scope and on budget while building a platform for sustainability.
Representation and Coordination
- Liaise with local government officials, local CSOs and NGOs, local religious leaders and others to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps.
- Maintain close working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as required.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
- Act as a point of coordination between local partners and other CBOs working in the same District and/or technical sector. Similarly, act as a focal point for coordination with other Mercy Corps programs that also work with local partners in Karamoja.
Ethics and Integrity:
- All Mercy Corps staff member are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal applicant must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Governance, Development Studies or related field.
- At least three years of experience focused on governance programs at both community and official levels.
- Experience supporting the development of local partner internal management systems.
- Facilitation skills are a strong asset.
- Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a sensitive environment.
- Effective verbal and written communication; strong skills in organization and prioritization
- Good knowledge on Microsoft Office applications (Word, excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) are a requirement
- Excellent English language skills essential (verbal and written), with Ngakarimojong skills preferred.
How to Apply:
All candidates should send their applications online through the Mercy Corps recruitment portal at the link below.