ERD Assistant

 Background: 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

IRC started activities in Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Since then, IRC has expanded to provide critical services for Congolese and South Sudanese refugees in the north, and vulnerable individuals in Karamoja and Kampala.

Job Overview/Summary

The IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) sector is seeking to hire an ERD Assistants to be based in Yumbe field office. The ERD assistant will be responsible for the implementing Agriculture, Agri-business, financial inclusion, vocational skill initiatives and other activities aimed at building resilience of refugees and host community members in and around Bidibidi settlement, Yumbe district.

Duties and responsibilities

Agriculture

• Support in the identification, selection, and registration of farmer groups
• Work closely with community Volunteers to mobilize the community to engage in agriculture activities.
• Train farmer groups on Good Agronomic Practices, monitor and provide agriculture related support to farmer group
• Plan and participate in farmers’ day, world food day, trade fairs and other relevant celebrations.
• Ensure all agricultural activities are properly documented using approved tools.
• Participate in resolving conflict and violence among farmer groups and provide feedback to ERD Officer or Manager.
• Support formation, mentoring, training, and supervision of collective marketing committees
• Organize farmer groups to sell collectively to potential buyers.
• Participate in coordination meetings, joint monitoring, and other related coordination activities
• Coordinate activities closely with the sub county.
• Look out for and document success stories among farmers and/or groups
• Undertake activities as delegated by the supervisor.

Financial inclusion (VSLA)

•  Facilitate the formation of VSLAs following the VSLA principles and methodology.
• Support training of volunteers and VSLAs on VSLAs component
• Conduct enterprise selection and business skill training to VSLAs
• Support VSLA to register at the sub county or district to obtain certificates
• Support linkages of VSLAs to formal financial institutions
• Support routine monitoring and mentorship of VSLAs including individual members
• Work with financial institutions to conduct financial literacy training to VSLAs.
• Collect VSLA data as guided by the M&E.
• Support the process of business cash grant to VSLA groups/members.
• Look out for and document success stories among VSLA members and/or groups.
• Undertake activities as delegated by the supervisor.

Vocational Skills Development

• Collaborate with other project stakeholders to Identify youths out of schools and register them to attend vocational skills training

• Profile the different skills demanded by youths for placement or apprenticeship
• Map out apprenticeship training centers or placement centers for youths’ training
• Monitor the vocational skills development training of the youths and report the progress
• Plan with the instructors or institution for the graduation of the successful trainees
• Provide follow on support and mentorship to graduates of vocational skills training
• Supports the process of business cash grants to the vocational skills trainees.
• Monitor trainees during apprenticeship program and report progress.
• Undertake activities as delegated by the supervisor.

Monitoring, Reporting and Coordination

• Prepare weekly program reports, and compile lessons learnt to submit to the ERD Officer or Manager.
• Collect relevant data during project implementation and provide regular reports to ERD Officer/Ma Manager,
• Coordinate with the M&E staff and the wider ERD team where necessary to identify program
• quality issues
• Support during joint monitoring visits with various project stakeholders.
•  Participate in the collection of data during assessments and post distribution surveys as and when required
• Participate in the verification exercise or MEAL researches when needed
• Verify all records submitted by volunteers for agriculture activities before submission to M&E or ERD Officer.
• Participate in collection of labor market information and other sector assessments
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Skills and Experience

•  At least 3 years of experience implementing livelihoods projects, Agriculture, VSLA and Vocational skills
• Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) experience preferred, proven abilities in; beneficiary identification, registration & selection required, INGO experience preferred
• Demonstrated skills and competencies, prior experience in developing program implementation workplans, data collection and analysis and program reporting
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility
• Personal qualities: Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.       

Standards For Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

 Deadline for receiving applications is October 27th,2022