Commercial Lead Job Vacancy at Grameen Foundation in Uganda

Job Title: Commercial Lead, AppLab Money Incubator

Job Summary:
The Commercial Lead will be a commercial expert within the AppLab Money Incubator team and will be expected to drive the development of truly innovative business models to provide financial services to the poor. He/she will be deeply embedded in all aspects of the product development process, from initial research and analysis to final prototyping and evaluation. The Commercial Lead will be responsible for ensuring the mobile products we develop are commercially sustainable for our partners while also meeting the needs of poor users. There are currently vacancies for Commercial Leads within the Ugandan, Kenyan and India Incubator teams.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• The candidate should hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Two to three years experience in management consulting or an equivalent role
• The candidate should possess a deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
• Believes in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) for the benefit of poor people
• Is able to bring creativity, innovation, and a thirst for new ideas to our team
• Has strong written and oral communication skills
• Has strong analytical and business modeling skills
• Has deep knowledge of Microsoft office products (excel, PowerPoint, word, etc.)
• Experienced working in developing countries preferred, but not required

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort. This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Lead the process of developing innovative approaches to monetizing financial products:
• Develop new models for sustainable mobile financial services products for the poor
• Model the economics of these options and provide recommendations on a path forward
• Work with our partners to ensure these models will be successful within their current operations

2. Work closely with the AppLab Money team to conduct research into the needs of poor households:
• Conduct secondary and primary research activities to understand behaviors and needs
• Analyze current financial services offerings and understand gaps that can be addressed

3. Work with the team throughout the product development and piloting process:
• Drive team ideation sessions to develop new ideas from field insights
• Support development of prototypes and field testing with our product designers
• Monitor and evaluate consumer testing of products throughout a series of pilots

4. Offer support the project manager in maintaining the relationship with our donor and in developing new potential partnerships:
• Help create and present materials to share our work with our partners
• Identify and meet with other potential partners who could support new products

5. Help the team document findings in various forms (blogs, monthly updates, reports etc.)

6. Provide training and mentorship in business and commercial skills to junior staff team members
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates should visit the web link below and create a profile on the NFT Consult website by entering their e-mail addresses
Please visit web link below and click Apply now if convinced you have the job requirements

Apply Now
Application Deadline: 25th Sept 2013

Head of Procurement and Disposal Unit Jobs at National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Uganda

Job Title: Procurement Officer/ Head of Procurement and Disposal Unit

Job Summary:
The Procurement Officer will support the preparation, management and contracting of a variety of goods, works and services of NEMA. He/ She will also support Quality Assurance functions related to procurement and contracting of services and participate in all procurements undertaken at NEMA.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• The candidate should possess a first degree in Economics, Business Administration, Procurement & Logistics. A Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning & Management, Public Procurement Management as an added advantage for those without  a first degree in procurement & logistics;
• A Masters’ degree in the above disciplines is an added advantage.
• At least 5 years experience in a business environment in procurement services either public or private sector or international organizations;
• Full Membership of the Institute of Procurement Professionals of Uganda.
• Possess background in strategic planning and economic development
• Strong ability to work in a team environment with results-based orientation and to bring tasks to completion under tight deadlines;
• Working knowledge of PPDA & World Bank Procurement procedures
• Working knowledge & ability of Ms Office Software, Ms Access, Ms Project, Windows etc Trainer, results oriented and self motivated
• Excellent communication  and interpersonal skills
• Ethics Standards management
• High level of proven integrity in procurement
• Analytical with business acumen.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide support to NEMA and assist Management in operations and procurement related functions.
• Assess the compliance to PPDA and development partners’ procedures on goods, works and services procured for NEMA.
• Prepare and implement NEMA’s procurement plan.
• Prepare tender documents for the procurement of goods, works & services.
• Assist NEMA Management & the Contracts Committee to review procurement requests for completeness, adequacy and clarity of tender documents.
• Implement procurement and contracting transactions to purchase goods, works and services at the best value;
• Take pre-emptive action on operational, administrative and procedural issues of tenders submitted by suppliers and service providers;
• Prepare all necessary procurement management reports;
• Prepare & make available on time the tender documents for bidders;
• Demonstrate professional behavior, personal ethics, integrity and transparency in dealing with clients and service providers;
• Mentor colleagues by sharing knowledge in procurement procedures;
• Ensure that procurement procedures and guidelines are harmonized in the PPDA Procurement Manual.
• Undertake any other task related to the procurement function which could be requested by NEMA management & Contracts Committee and;
• Any other relevant tasks that may be assigned.
• Prepare and establish general and specific procurement notices;
• Establish and update the entity’s Procurement plan;
• Maintain a database of procurement activities
• Solicit bids or quotations, analyze for compliance  with specifications for cost, delivery, warranty, maintenance, etc;
• Prepare tender procurement notices and requests for proposals based on specifications and terms of reference provided by the User Dept’s;
• Participate in bid opening, evaluation and negotiations between NEMA and suppliers/contractors and facilitate in obtaining of clearances from development partners,
• PPDA, Solicitor General etc;
• Participate in the evaluation processes of the technical and financial proposals, coordinate and participate in the negotiation process when required;
• Participate with the Legal team in the drafting of contracts between NEMA and the consultants, suppliers/Contractors;
• In liaison with User Departments, ensure timely response of NEMA to the consultant’s & other contractor’s reports as well as approvals of the consultants assignments;
• Establish a procurement filing system in compliance with the PPDA Act & Regulations.

How to Apply:
All applicants should send their handwritten applications either by hand or via electronic mail and/or  through post office enclosing copies of certificates/testimonials and detailed curriculum vitae indicating 3 referees addressed to:-
The Executive Director
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
NEMA House,
Plot 17/19/21 Jinja Road
P.O. Box 22255
Kampala. Uganda

Deadline: 23rd Sept 2013

Financial Services Specialist Jobs Vacancy at Mercy Corps in Uganda

Job Title: Financial Services Specialist

Job Description
Program/Department Summary:

Mercy Corps drives high quality, analytical work in tough places. We’ve been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently manage a range of programs in Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions with funding from a basket of donors. We focus our work on crowding-in private sector actors to deliver highly demanded, if missing products and services that improve inclusive economic prosperity and overall quality of life. Our work is market-oriented and consistently innovative, dynamic and unique. We seek team members who fit this profile in kind and who can think creatively and critically to drive our work forward.

Formal financial inclusion as well as accessibility to viable capital is imperative for economic growth and wellbeing at every level. Formal financial inclusion remains untenable for most economically active smallholder actors where minimal financial presence, untailored products and a dearth of nonfinancial services inhibit access. Further, capital constraints are important underlying challenges for most of Mercy Corps Uganda’s programming. Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes crowding in and expanding businesses that provide important and beneficial products and services to communities and households alike. This means that financing to start, to grow and to scale business ventures as well as consumer financing to avail access to products and services at the household level is requisite to our programming. Accordingly, as our market facilitation projects expand and partnerships with private sector actors intensify, it is increasingly important to deepen our financial services work similarly.

General Position Summary:
Reporting to the Financial Services Coordinator, the Financial Services Specialist will be responsible for improving access to financial services to producers, agribusinesses and enterprises in the project areas. S/he will be responsible to assess the existing capacity of Financial Institutions the program is working with including their training needs and propose actions to build their management capacities. Under the guidance of the Financial Services Coordinator and /or Program Director, the Specialist will conduct assessments and research regarding service delivery, product appropriateness, extension needs, institutional arrangements, markets for financial services, accessibility of services and new opportunities and models, among other responsibilities, across the financial sector in the project area.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A degree, preferably graduate level, in Business Administration, Economics or Finance is required;
• Minimum of five to seven years working for a  formal financial institution with orientation to mass markets or within the private sector is required;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity with M&E, information, communications and knowledge sharing technologies and use of inventive approaches on digital financial services  is required;
• Superb networking and negotiation skills required;
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills as well as familiarity with financial accounting required;
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment mandatory;
• Ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously;
• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Essential Job Functions:

1.Work closely with the Financial Services Coordinator and all other teams in planning and implementation of financial access components of the projects according to the approved work plan and budgets, project document and implementation strategies.

2.With supervision and guidance from the Coordinator and team leaders undertake assessments, project design and strategy.

3.Identify the capacity gaps of financial services actors, design and implement most feasible capacity building activities based on identified gaps.

4.Conducts light due-diligence on potential partners and supports the negotiation process, as requested, in finalizing teaming and partnership agreements; and

5.Provide continuous support and oversee activities of the local financial institutions identified for capacity building support.

6.Work closely with all other program teams at local level to identify clients for financial services and to support service extension as well as to ensure synergy and to maximize program impact.

7.Actively participate in the periodic program planning, review and reflection meetings and sessions.

8.Prepare periodic work plans and progress reports.

9.Prepare accurate and timely reports and other project documentation and communication that contribute to a learning organization;

10.Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programs and local government bodies to ensure coherent program implementation and to capitalize on business opportunities in Mercy Corps’ target communities.

11.Assists in all other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor and program managers.

12.Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.

How to Apply
All interested candidates who meet the requirements can send their applications including cover letter, CV with three references and copies of academic credentials to one of the following addresses Submit in person to the Admin Officer, Mercy Corps Kitgum Office, Kitgum town. Or submit in person to Mercy Corps Kampala Head Office. Email to mcuganda@ug.mercycorps.org

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

Deadline: 19th Sept 2013