MERCY CORPS
PROGRAMME MANAGER- PEARL PROGRAMME
Position Description
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
Salary Level: 10
Current Team Member: New position
Minimum Salary: 8,923,898/=
This position is contingent upon grant approval, contract signature and availability of funds
Safeguarding Risk Level : 3 – frequent contacts with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is an international development organization that works in over 40 countries to promote community-led and market-driven development. With a strategic focus on countries in transition, Mercy Corps takes a progressive approach to supporting communities, entrepreneurs, governments and the private sector from relief to long-term economic growth. With a network of over 3,700 experienced professionals around the world, we are uniquely positioned to respond to complex environments and the needs of local communities.
In Uganda, Mercy Corps has been in operating since 2006 in Karamoja specifically in Kotido, Kaabong and Moroto; in Northern Region in Gulu; West Nile in Yumbe and Central region, specifically Kampala district. Mercy Corps offers technical expertise in Market Development, Gender, Peace and Conflict Management, Economic Empowerment, Food Security Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Agriculture and Agribusiness.
Mercy Corps has implemented and still implements multiple donor-funded projects her major donors including but not limited to DANIDA (Danish Government Overseas Aid), Austrian Development Agency, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and private foundations.
Programme / Department Summary
The Preventing Extremism through Advocacy, Resilience, and Local Action (PEARL) Programme is a strategic initiative aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism (VE) in Uganda through institutional reform approaches.
Preventing Extremism through Advocacy, Resilience and Local Action (PEARL) programme seeks to ensure a stronger enabling environment for whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), addressing the identified relational, capacity, and resource-related barriers to effective PCVE implementation, as identified through consultations, assessments and previous engagement.
Mercy Corps and its partner(s) will adopt a range of approaches to support sustainable change from the Action, leveraging past experience of PCVE programmeming across the East Africa region. This Action adopts an institutional strengthening approach rather than direct delivery, to build awareness and capacities in WoS-WoG approaches to PCVE across a broad spectrum or State and non-state actors, whilst also enabling the key actors responsible for leading and coordinating PCVE action in Uganda to more effectively play this role. Institutional strengthening and reform approaches focus on identifying and overcoming the barriers that often prevent institutions and the people within them from adopting new attitudes, behaviours and ways of working.
General Position Summary
The Programme Manager will oversee the comprehensive implementation of the PEARL project, ensuring alignment with project objectives and the achievement of set targets. This role entails overall project management, including the adoption of best practices, coordination of all implementing partners, and close collaboration with Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
As the focal point for external communication, the Programme Manager will handle all correspondence with stakeholders and partners, ensuring the project complies with donor rules and regulations. The role also involves managing the successful execution of all project activities according to the project plan, ensuring timeliness, quality, and adherence to the allocated budget.
In addition, the Programme Manager will oversee the project team and deliver regular progress updates to the Mercy Corps Uganda Director of Programmes. The Director of Programmes provides strategic oversight for all Mercy Corps Uganda programmes, ensuring high standards of quality, adherence to organizational policies, and compliance with key guidelines, such as the Programme Management Minimum Standards, safeguarding protocols, and finance and procurement manuals
Essential Job Responsibilities
Safeguarding Responsibilities
Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options
Technical Responsibilities
Programme Management
Lead and provide strategic direction to the programme, coordinating with the Country Leadership Team
Oversee learning processes in collaboration with the MEL team
Ensure programme implementation is aligned with Mercy Corps’ values and responsive to community and partner needs.
Manage programme delivery to ensure timeliness, budget adherence, and measurable impact through effective M&E systems.
Ensure compliance with contract terms, Mercy Corps minimum standards, and relevant regulations.
Supervise the identification, onboarding, and performance of sub-contractors and sub-grantees.
Establish and maintain transparent financial systems for accurate and timely reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps requirements.
Collaborate with finance and operations teams to ensure systems are in place for effective field operations, including logistics, procurement, and P&C.
Strategic Leadership
Provide overall strategic direction for the programme in alignment with donor priorities and national development goals.
Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of annual and multi-year work plans.
Monitor programme progress and adapt strategies to respond to contextual changes and emerging needs.
Represent the programme in high-level meetings, coordination platforms, and stakeholder engagements.
Compliance
Ensure programme implementation adheres to donor requirements, organisational policies, and national laws.
Oversee financial management, procurement, and grant processes to meet audit and compliance standards.
Maintain accurate documentation and ensure timely submission of narrative and financial reports.
Identify compliance risks and implement appropriate mitigation and control measures.
Partner Relationship Management
Cultivate strong and collaborative relationships with implementing partners, government entities, and civil society organisations.
Support partners in planning, implementation, reporting, and compliance with programme guidelines.
Organise and lead regular coordination, review, and learning sessions with partners.
Resolve implementation challenges with partners and promote accountability and shared learning.
Human Resources Management
Provide leadership and line management to programme staff, including performance management and team development.
Lead recruitment and onboarding processes in line with HR policies and programme needs.
Promote a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture focused on results and continuous improvement.
Identify capacity gaps and support staff development through coaching, mentoring, and training.
Donor Relations
Act as the focal point for communication and coordination with the donor.
Ensure timely submission of high-quality reports, proposals, and other required documentation.
Keep the donor informed on programme progress, challenges, and key developments.
Coordinate and support donor field visits, audits, and evaluations.
Security Management
Monitor and assess the security environment in areas of operation, advising on potential risks.
Develop and update security plans and protocols in line with organisational policies.
Ensure staff are trained and briefed on safety and security procedures.
Liaise with security actors and coordination bodies to enhance preparedness and response capacity.
Gender and Social Inclusion
Lead localized analyses to understand how gender influences vulnerabilities, drivers, and social capital relevant to programme objectives.
Ensure gender considerations are embedded in research, stakeholder engagement, planning, implementation, and policy advocacy.
Tailor strategies and services to the diverse experiences and identities of individuals, addressing intersections of gender with other social factors like education, ethnicity, and economic status.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
Actively learn about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
Encourage openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options
Knowledge And Experience
Master’s Degree in conflict management, social sciences, international development, political science, or other related field preferred. A Bachelor’s Degree with significant relevant experience may be accepted in lieu.
Seven years’ experience delivering conflict management, governance and/or peace-building interventions in the NGO sector.
Deep understanding of the policy and institutional landscape as it relates to violent extremism in Uganda.
Ability to engage diplomatically and sensitively at a senior policy level and build relationships of trust
Demonstrated experience in coaching, conducting workshops and community meeting facilitation as well as designing and strengthening training resources and curricula
Proven track record of effective management of local partners, including on-boarding, capacity-building, performance management and reporting.
Proven track record in managing the programme cycle, from start-up to implementation to close-out
Financial management skills and experience managing large budgets.
Proven track record in managing teams and building capacity
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Highly organised and a self-starter
Excellent computer skills, including all Microsoft applications.
Professional level proficiency in English
Supervisory Responsibility
Governance Technical Advisor, Senior MEL Officer, Programme Officer
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Director of Programmes
Works Directly With: Senior Leadership Team, Programme Team, Finance, People & Culture & Operations Department
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our programme 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.
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Success Factors
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Proven cultural sensitivity and adaptability in diverse environments.
Strong ability to engage and communicate effectively with Mercy Corps’ target populations and partners.
High attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to remote locations.
Quick learner, with the ability to rapidly absorb and apply new information and concepts.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Kampala, Uganda. The location is secure with access to most basic amenities.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all locations.
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.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, programme 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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).
To Apply
Interested applicants must submit their Cover Letter & CV saved in 1 PDF document of no more than 5 pages by 1st May 2025.
Please note that any application submitted that does not follow the above instructions will be automatically discarded.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
