Program Manager | Energy Access Project – Yumbe

Description

PROGRAMME MANAGER | ENERGY ACCESS PROJECT

Position Description

Location: Yumbe, Uganda
Position Status: Full-time
Reports to:
Salary Level: Salary Grade 9 (National staff)

New Position

Position is contingent on funding

About Mercy Corps

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.

Programme Summary

Present in Uganda since 2006, Mercy Corps Uganda’s aim is to catalyse change through the Ugandan private sector, civil society, and government to create resilient, economically inclusive, healthy, and secure communities.

Serving on the frontlines of the hardest hit communities by climate change, as in Northern Uganda, Mercy Corps, Energy 4 Impact (E4I), Simusolar, and Tulima Solar are witnessing first-hand the detrimental impacts of the unfolding climate crisis and the multifaceted ways that this is impacting smallholder farmers. The Danida-funded Powering the Uptake of climate change Mitigating Pumps (Pump Up), Uganda project seeks to enable farmers in Northern Uganda (Yumbe and Gulu areas), including women, youth, and refugee farming communities to build resilient livelihoods and to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. We aim to do this by supporting viable investments in climate resilient technologies such as solar water pumps (SWPs) coupled with best practices in climate smart agriculture (CSA) and integrated water resource management.

The project will be implemented by a consortium led by Mercy Corps, as the administrative partner; Energy 4 Impact, Mercy Corps’ energy access platform, which will provide business model and technology advisory services; and Tulimasolar and Simusolar as commercial partners. The Pump-Up project will improve capacities of the commercial partner to adapt and localise their product in Yumbe and Gulu areas by improving their PAYGO consumer financing offer and developing cost-effective and inclusive go-to-market and sales strategies. The project will support the commercial partner’s goal to increase its reach and market traction in Northern Uganda (currently at 38% of total sales) by adding an additional 430 SWPs over 3 years by: 1) diversifying value chains and market segments to reach SHFs, women, youth, and refugee communities, 2) adopting engagement terms and exploring financial products suitable for women and youth, 3) holding demonstration events that increase awareness and adoption. Altogether, these efforts will help to establish an enduring foundation to reduce vulnerability to climate change for SHFs by facilitating inclusive access and uptake of SWPs coupled with the promotion of best practices in CSA and integrated water resource management.

The project aims to reach 2,220 people with opportunities for increased income and/or improved livelihoods (555 female and 888 youth); create 50 decent jobs (15 female and 30 youth); and support 500 SHFs including women and youth to engage in off-season production.

Pump Up will run from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2026 for a total duration of three years. The position will be base din Yumbe, covering Yumbe and Gulu areas.

About Mercy Corps Energy 4 Impact

Energy 4 Impact is Mercy Corps’ energy access platform, working to improve the lives of millions across the poorest and most fragile regions of the world through access to clean energy. Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Position

The program manager (PM) will be a senior member of the Mercy Corps – Energy 4 Impact programs and advisory team and will oversee the planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, learning, and reporting of the PUMP UP project for which he/she is responsible. He/she will also provide business development and go to go market strategies advices to the two private sector partners while supporting the roll out of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Action plan. The PM will be accompanied by an Energy Technologies and Business Advisor, Agronomy/MSD Advisor, and GESI Advisor for the technical management of the project and by the MEL lead and program implementation team for activities monitoring and implementation.

Essential Responsibilities 

Team Management

• Provide technical and managerial support to team members towards project delivery and professional development.
• Be a champion for the mission, vision and values of Mercy Corps.
• Promote and encourage a transparent, cohesive and ethical work culture.

Program Management

• Manage the implementation of project activities according to the objectives, indicators, work plan and approved budget including, staffing, budgeting and internal/external reporting in close coordination with Mercy Corps and the two private sector partners teams.
• Chairs the project Steering Committee and Project Management Committees
• Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps Minimum Standards for Program Management.
• Be the focal point for all communications and coordination on activities implementation with the two private sector partners.
• Ensure regular and proper project documentation and reporting according to donor and Mercy Corps standards, rules & regulations.
• Working closely with the MEL lead, ensure the capture and dissemination of key lessons learnt and successes of the project.
• Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders including local partners, county governments, private sector firms, NGOs, financial institutions, potential donors and other institutional and research partners.
• Manage relationship with the donor of the program.

Technical Support 

• In close coordination with the three Advisors, provide technical support to team members and ensure compliance with Mercy Corps policies and procedures
• In close coordination with the three Advisors, provide technical advice to the private sector partners to develop inclusive business models, go-to market strategies and Responsible Business Conduct practices.

Supervisory Responsibility

The PM supervises directly the Agronomy/MSD Advisor, GESI Advisor, MEL Lead and Senior Program Officer.

Accountability

Reports Directly To:  Director of Programs

Works Directly With: Tulimasolar and Simsolar staff and all project team.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Business, Economics, Finance, or related degree. MA/S is advantageous.
• At least 5 – 7 years’ experience implementing donor funded projects
• Experience working with small businesses and/or energy SMEs and/or an understanding of renewable energy technologies and business models
• Excellent organisation and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple programmes and client engagements, meet deadlines and allocate resources effectively
• Strong financial management skills with proven experience managing large budgets.
• Strong skills in developing accurate and timely reports to donors.
• High level of interpersonal skills and comfortable collaborating with senior level colleagues, SMEs, public agencies, and other stakeholders. Track record managing a diverse mix of professionals and different cultures.
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written, and good oral presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders; proven ability to develop partnerships and effective relationships with industry stakeholders including SMEs, investors, donors, and other stakeholders.

Success Factors

Attention to detail, ability to multitask, persuade and influence staff and stakeholders, program management and people management experience

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Yumbe, Uganda and requires significant travel to project sites, especially Gulu.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

To Apply: Interested applicants must submit their Cover Letter & CV saved in 1 document as  PDF of no more than 5 pages by 2nd June 2023.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Mercy Corps does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

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