Program Manager

Program ManagerAgency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED)
Closing date: 31 Jan 2010
Location: Uganda - Gulu

Department: Program
Position: Program Manager
Contract duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Location: Gulu, Northern Uganda
Starting Date: February 2010

I. Background on ACTED


ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) is a non-governmental organization created in 1993. Independent, private and not-for-profit, ACTED respects a strict political and religious impartiality and operates according to non-discrimination and transparency principles. ACTED’s vocation is to support vulnerable populations worldwide and to accompany them in the construction of a better future.

The programmes implemented by ACTED in Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America/Caribbean, aim at addressing the needs of the populations affected by wars, natural catastrophes and/or economical and social crises.
Our interventions seek to cover the multiple aspects of humanitarian and development crises through a multidisciplinary approach which is both global and local, and adapted to each context.

II. Country Profile

Capital Office : Kampala
National Staff : 74 (may 2009)
International Staff : 9 (may 2009)
Areas : 2 (Gulu, Kapenguria)
On-going programmes : 8
Budget : 2,3M€ (2008)

More than three years after the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA) with the Lord's Resistance Army first signalled a return to security and stability in the conflict-stricken north, there has been a dramatic improvement in the situation. 85% of the camp population across the Acholi Region has now returned to their original homes. As Northern Uganda moves out of the early recovery phase, the emphasis is now shifting to laying the foundation for lasting economic development.
Access to social infrastructure has improved with ongoing rehabilitation or construction of schools, health centres and water points as well as roads. However, some areas are still lacking the basic services to make return fully sustainable. The economy of Northern Uganda is heavily based on agriculture, with a production system largely based on subsistence farming. However, farmers in the Acholi sub-region, where approximately 85% of the population are employed in agriculture, have shown a strong willingness to expand or improve production and have identified increased access to capital, more modern tools and equipment and better storage facilities as three key means to this end. Increased cash availability in the region is therefore crucial to realise this agricultural potential and improve food security. However, agriculture is not the only sector showing economic viability. The experience of the first LEARN Uganda project (01/02/2009 – 31/01/2010) funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy showed that service-oriented income generation activities, such as restaurants and bakeries can show quick, significant and sustainable profits once initial start up costs are covered. Injections of cash into such projects can therefore create sustainable returns to support the livelihoods of groups of people including women, young people and Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIs).

While cash influxes help to kick start economic recovery and development, long term development requires high rates of investment that are usually built on high rates of savings. Therefore there is a strongly arguable need to encourage the development of a savings culture where cash is regularly set aside for future investment. The strengthening of local financial services, namely Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), to support small savers as they scale up their savings and investment practices and the introduction of a Village Savings and Loan Associations methodology could help to address all of these issues.

III. Position Profile

ACTED is currently looking for an experienced Program Manager to take care of its Livelihoods and Economic Recovery for Northern Uganda Project II (LEARN Uganda II) which is an extension of a similar project implemented 1st February 2009 to 31st January 2010. The position is based in Gulu town but will also operate in Amuru and Oyam districts and require frequent travels to the field. Specific duties include:

- To set up, plan, supervise and monitor the project to ensure the successful implementation of all project activities, the generation of planned outputs and attainment of key project objectives.

- To manage a team of grant officers (working with income generating activity groups), site supervisors (working with community groups on cash-for-work infrastructure projects), community based facilitators (who work with IGA groups and community groups at the sub-county level) and a Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) Advisor (providing monitoring and capacity building to these financial institutions).

- Carry out regular field visits to all project sites to verify project progress, technically asses activities, the efficiency of resources used and importantly to ensure compliance to all ACTED policies and procedures.

- To budget and monitor project expenditures to ensure they are in line with ACTED and donor requirements;

- To coordinate with ACTED’s logistics department on the procurement and delivery of tools, materials etc.

- To coordinate and attend monthly meetings with the 2 other LEARN Uganda implementing partners (Food for Hungry and Action Against Hunger) to share experiences and lessons learned.

- To liaise with all internal and external counterparts to the projects, i.e. the Royal Norwegian Embassy, local government officials, and with NGO and UN representatives on a regular basis; This includes regular attendance of various humanitarian cluster and district coordination meetings.

- To coordinate regularly with ACTED’s Appraisal Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (AMEU) to assess project activities and implement lessons learned during the implementation of the project.

- To ensure that all project reporting (internal and external) is completed on time and is of a high standard.

IV. Qualifications:

- University degree (Masters Degree) preferably in development studies, business administration and entrepreneurship, microfinance/microcredit, program management, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area;

- At least 4 years progressively responsible experience in managing and implementing projects in a recovery or development context, i.e. income generating activities, microfinance/microcredit and agricultural and non-agricultural livelihoods,

- Knowledge of participatory approaches and tools;

- Proven ability to coordinate and manage a team of national staff

- Familiarity with the aid system, and ability to understand donor and governmental requirements;

- Excellent planning, organizational and supervisory skills;

- Proven ability to problem solve and work independently and under pressure both in the field and in the office;

- Being a strong team player and adept at creating a strong team spirit;

- Highly motivated and with a desire to work with local communities;

- Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people;

- Excellent spoken and written English; knowledge of Luo an added advantage.

V. Conditions:

- Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus (Between 1600€ to 1750€ net per months)

- Additional monthly living allowance

- Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)

- Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance

- Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package
How to apply
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org
Ref : PM/UG/RW

ACTED
Att: Human Resources Department
33, rue Godot de Mauroy
75009 Paris
FRANCE

Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46
For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org