Project Officer- Innovative Energy Solutions Oxfam Novib

Oxfam in Uganda started work in the 1960s delivering development and humanitarian support as part of the Oxfam confederation, a global movement of people fighting to end inequality and injustice. Today, we continue to tackle the inequalities that make and keep people poor. We save and protect people’s lives in times of crisis. We work with people to build their resilience and rebuild their livelihoods. We enable vulnerable people’s voices to be heard and campaign for genuine, durable change.

Objective of the position
The Project Officer- Innovative Energy Solutions will lead and manage the SUSTAINED project, and ensure that project goal, mission, and objectives are achieved with in the 11 months of the project implementation.

Job Responsibilities
• Works in close coordination with other SUSTAINED Project consortium team members and identifies and encourages synergies within SUSTAINED project to achieve an integrated approach that supports the overall project mission as far as practical
• Works towards ensuring that Refugees and vulnerable host communities, especially women and youth, in Uganda have increased access and utilization of clean, reliable, and affordable energy products and services, thus sustainably increasing their overall standard of living, health, and livelihoods.

Maintains awareness of the perception of Oxfam’s reputation on Active Citizenship programming and delivery in Uganda and recommends appropriate action to ensure that it remains respected and credible.

Adheres to all Oxfam project implementation requirements and standards, in relation to SAP management, purchasing, HR, finance, project cycle management, programme quality, programme learning Builds and fosters national & international alliances and networks relating to SUSTAINED project internally and externally to encourage a joint accountability approach for achieving objectives, enhance sharing, programme learning and collaboration among relevant organizations and individuals.

Conducts regular monitoring and evaluation processes to continually assess organizational performance and delivery against agreed results and recommends action to ensure delivery is achieved.
• Actively contributes to relevant lobbying, campaigning and advocacy work to increase others’ understanding of programme issues and to influence their approach and decisions
• In support of Oxfam’s work Manages budgets, prepares high quality; and timely reports in compliance with donor grant requirements, and support the management of donor visits as appropriate
Leadership, programme management and resource mobilization:
• Provide overall leadership, management, guidance and engagement with strategic partners to ensure the development of quality project designs, concepts and fundable proposals for livelihood activities
Project effective leadership and monitors progress to ensure quality delivery of outcomes, outputs and services as formulated in the approved project proposal.
Ensure all project-based needs and requirements are shared with support services in a timely manner for ensuring effective and coordinated implementation.
• Establish consultative and participative management environment that engages and develops SUSTAINED project consortium teams to deliver on donor obligations hence meeting program commitment priorities.
• Ensure timely delivery of quality quarterly and annual reporting to SUSTAINED project technical lead highlighting implementation status, challenges and key plans for the following months in an acceptable format or a format agreed/provided by the parties.
• In consultation with Energy and Extractive Industries Coordinator, Humanitarian Manager and Area Manager, Arua office identify opportunities to complement services under the project through identifying, leveraging and creating linkages with other projects where appropriate.
• Work with Energy and Extractive Industries Coordinator, Humanitarian Manager and Area Manager, Arua office to support any fundraising activities to scale-up project interventions.
People and performance management:
• Provide effective human resource management for all staff and volunteers under the project.
• Hold monthly meetings and quarterly performance review meetings with team members.
• Establish consultative and participative management environment that engages and develops project teams, to deliver on donor obligations hence meeting project commitment priorities.
• Manage, supervise and build capacity of staff in project development, management and implementation especially in humanitarian emergency response.
• Identify staff capacity, psychosocial and other needs, and work with P&C to ensure needs are met
• Facilitate coaching, mentoring and counselling sessions for staff within the project.
Networking, Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:
• Network and collaborate with District, UNHCR, WFP, OPM, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and other relevant stakeholders in the Project Area
• Maintaining effective coordination and working relations with donor and other relevant stakeholders at field level
• Actively represent Oxfam and SUSTAINED project in coordination structures.
• Share progress and update on project activities to donor and relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Ensure all project-based needs and requirements are timely and efficiently shared with stakeholders for best coordinated implementation.
• Maintain close liaison on programmatic issues with donor beyond contractual reporting requirements.

Documentation, Reporting and Knowledge Management:

Compile and submit quality progress reports, monthly, quarterly and end of project reports and submits them to programs for onward submission to the donor
• Coordinate regular reviews and reflections on progress of the project at the districts and regional levels.
• Ensure project work plans are effectively implemented, monitored and progress reports shared including effective budget management.
• Contribute to the development of project related documents such as success stories and publications.
Contribute to development and introduction of innovation to ensure Oxfam is continually incorporating best practice approaches in operations.
• Ensure robust Monitoring, Evaluation and accountability system is implemented across the SUSTAINED project in line with consortium members.

Partner Support:
• Ensure timely reporting of partners in compliance with donor and Oxfam procedures/reporting requirements consolidate partner reports.
• Offer support in the preparation of civic engagement project proposal documents, project summaries and project reviews.
• Provide appropriate support to partners implementing the SUSTAINED project in all aspects of the project cycle management.
• Support partner organizations to work by Oxfam standards and objectives.
• Conduct regular performance assessments and reviews of partner organizations and provide guidance on enhancing the quality of projects.
• Actively participate in regular meetings with partner organizations and relevant value chain multi stakeholder platforms.
• Ensure that all action points/recommendations agreed upon with partners during project reviews are followed through during project implementation.
• Ensure that partner project plans, proposals, work plans and budgets are developed in line with the Oxfam Country Strategy.
• Support with partner contracting process, implement and monitor the agreements reached with the consortium or the implementing partners.
• Provide Administrative and Logistical Support during project implementation.
• Any other duties as provided by the line manager.

Support MEAL:
• Working with MEAL coordinator, conduct regular monitoring visits to partners/field and ensure that reports are written on each visit and shared with the Humanitarian Program Manager.
• Actively contribute to organizational learning through systematic documentation, monitoring, evaluation, and sharing of information with partners and the relevant program teams.
• Constructively support partners‟ management of projects in the various stages of project cycle management, from project appraisal to reporting.
• Support the project finance officer to monitor partners’ financial reports and ensure that regular partner audits take place.

Who are we looking for?
• Of course, you have at least five (5) years’ experience working with vulnerable communities and familiarity with humanitarian programming and implementation.
• Minimum of Bachelors in Energy economics or governance, Natural Resource and Environment economics, Environment Management, Climate science, Engineering and Technology, or Development Studies, Law or any other relevant discipline.
• Experience in refugee/ community work and engagement climate change and Livelihood is added advantage.
• Post graduate qualification in any relevant discipline will be added advantage. You have a great experience in clean energy solutions, productive use of energy, on-grid and off grid electricity systems, climate change mitigation, Entrepreneurship, micro finance and strong agribusiness skills.
• Experience with relevant technical models such as Village Savings & Loans, Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Methodology and Social Action and Analysis (SAA) Model is added advantage.
• You have a track record demonstrating high integrity, innovativeness, creativity, reliability and dependable Proactive personality, self-driven and strongly motivated.
• Demonstration of well-developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ensure a gender perspective in the scope of work and observe highest level of integrity. Position is field based near the refugee Settlements in Arua and requires ability and willingness to travel within the region up to 100% of the time.
• You must be ready to work in a multi-cultural environment and have the ability to maintain performance expectations in the diverse cultural context, psychologically stressful environments and physical hardship conditions with limited resources.
• Possess the ability to work with different partners, local authorities, local organizations and NGOs, to develop and maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work. Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.