Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Lead

Background:
Cardno International Development (ID) manages a number of donor-funded programs throughout the world and engages in international development as a holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated process. Strengthened by our geographic and market diversity, we are committed to providing innovative and integrated solutions that create opportunities for significant, lasting change in emerging economies. Collaborating with multilateral and bilateral donors, private clients, governments and communities to develop sustainable solutions to complex challenges, we work with local counterparts to achieve meaningful impact. Cardno has implemented more than 120 projects in Uganda.

Cardno is implementing the five-year (2021-2026) USAID-funded Feed the Future Uganda Institutional and Systems Strengthening (ISS) Activity. The goal of the Activity is for key national level Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and industry apex organizations (IAOs) that are vital to driving inclusive agriculture-led economic growth to fulfill their mandate, leading to pathways to prosperity, improved resilience, and better nutrition for the people of Uganda. The purpose of the Activity is to improve the performance and structures of MDAs and IAOs. This purpose will be achieved through the following four objectives: (1) Improve the internal processes of selected MDAs and IAOs, making them more responsive to the needs of their consumers, members, and the general public; (2) Improve the policy framework that supports the functionality of selected MDAs and IAOs; (3) Strengthen key capacity elements of select MDAs and IAOs to perform their mandates; and (4) Strengthen the “structures” or key vertical and horizontal linkages within, between and among institutions so that they work together more effectively to achieve their goals.

Purpose:

Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Lead will be responsible for achieving Activity success through implementing institutional strengthening aspects under all the objectives of the project including:

• Identify and build Government of Uganda MDAs and IAOs knowledge, skills and attitudes to support their ability to design institutional strengthening plans and perform their mandates.
• Coordinate conduct institutional self-assessments using PICAL in MDAs and OCAT in IAOs and ensure that institutional strengthening action plans in each institution are implemented as planned such as in communication, policy, M&E. IT, etc.
• Bring to the attention of management any capacity building challenges encountered in MDAs, and IAOs that affect the success of the Activity.
• Coordinate engagement, participation/collaboration of other USAID Activities to formulate capacity strengthening solutions on how to best strengthen vertical and horizontal linkages inter and intra MDA and IAOs
• Serve as the point of contact for/working with GOU and IAO counterparts on capacity strengthening aspects and linkages with Civil Society Organisations
• Assist in developing workplans and reports as stipulated in the USAID ISS contract.
• Identify targeted research needs for institutional strengthening among MDAs and IAOs and work with local counterparts to conduct targeted research, to inform planned interventions and activities.
• Propose strategies to Feed the Future Uganda ISS to leverage resources with other Partners in line with the Activity mandate
• Collaborate with Director, M&E and Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) to set learning Agenda in MDAs and IAOs to conduct learning sessions in MDAs and IAOs
• Coordinate Activity staff capacity strengthening activities
• Support the Grants Manager to assess the strength of IAO grantees of the Activity and propose candidate IAOs for grant award based on the Activity’s selection criteria.
• Develop sustainability plans among MDAs and IAOs beyond the Activity and keep ISS Management informed of such sustainability plans.
• Work with IAOs to understand their policy challenges and collaborate with Senior Policy Specialist to create avenues for engagement with government counterparts.
• Work with subcontractors to system-level changing plans.
• Work closely with Civil Society Organisation partners including building their capacity where gaps exist to realize Activity Success.
• Make sure that MDAs, IAOs and civil society organisation advocacy issues are well aligned and addressed.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s Degree in public policy, public administration, international relations or other related field.
• Minimum of 5 years institutional capacity strengthening hands-on experience in MDAs and IAOs is required, including experience working with USAID-funded projects.
• Significant management experience, implementing complex donor-funded projects with multiple activities, and direct knowledge of the host country environment.
• Excellent track record of achieving results in similar types of activities with a demonstrated high level of technical, analytical writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with senior government officials at central and private sector executives and building consensus among diverse actors is required.
• Participate in internal and external technical meetings in consultation with the Chief of Party.
• Collaborate with other FtF Activities in Uganda on activities that contribute to ISS’s objectives
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills.
• Innovative and critical thinker.
• Proficiency in English required.

Estimated Period of Performance:
The opening is a full-time position and will require staff time of 40 hours a week.

Estimated Level of Effort:
This is a long-term position and is based in Kampala, Uganda.

Reporting:
The Institutional Strengthening Manager will report to the Chief of Party.

Application Instructions:
Send your application via info@ftfugandaiss.com by June 25, 2021 at 4:00 pm EAT. Late applications will not be accepted.

Equal Opportunity statement: Cardno has a long-standing policy of Equal Opportunity in employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. At any time, if you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources at jobs@cardno.com.
Visit our website at www.cardno.com/internationaldevelopment – to learn more about Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd.