VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No.

2016-016
Regional Program Officer (RPO) Mbarara
Announcement Date:
Closing Date:

Monday September 26 2016

Monday October 10, 2016, 4:45 pm

Position:
Supervisor:
Duty Station:
Travel Requirements

Regional Program Officer (RPO)

Director of Programming and Training (DPT)
Mbarara
Land travel is required wherever Trainees and
Volunteers receive training or serve as Volunteers which
currently is in all regions of Uganda except Karamoja
region. Certain sectors or initiatives may start in few
select areas and expand or shift over time to new areas
as determined by senior staff. Expect an average of 50%
of time spent on travel. Some Africa and US
international travel may occur for trainings.

Type of Employment

This is a personal services contract position. It is fulltime, Monday through Friday with the possibility of
credit hours as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Special note

The services to be performed will be subject to the

ultimate responsibility and authority of the Country
Director (CD) who is responsible for all Peace Corps
activities in Uganda.

About Peace Corps in Uganda

Peace Corps is an international autonomous agency of the US Government with operations in
over 65 countries. It operates in Uganda by the invitation of the Government of Uganda.
Peace Corps Uganda has memorandum of understanding with government ministries that
outline broad areas of agreement of cooperation regarding the work of Peace Corps
Volunteers in Uganda. Volunteers are assigned to government and non-government agencies
and organizations, community based organizations, universities, colleges and schools who
partner to enable Volunteers to provide capacity building in Education, Health and
Community Agribusiness. Peace Corps also aims to build cultural understanding between
Americans and Ugandans.
Position Description
The U.S. Peace Corps is an agency that promotes international peace, friendship and
sustainable development by providing trained men and women, Peace Corps Volunteers

(PCVs), to serve in countries that have requested assistance. In PC-Uganda, the RPO works
as part of an interdisciplinary Programming and Training Team and provides support to
ensure that PC Ugandas Training, Health, Agriculture and Education Programs are
performing optimally. The RPO also provides assistance to project coordinators on an as
needed basis. The RPO is assigned to a specific region of operation where they perform the
majority of their duties. The RPO supports the U.S. Peace Corps mission in Uganda in the
following main areas:

1. Programmatic Support and Volunteer Safety 70%

2. Training 20%
3. General Services 10%

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Programmatic Support and Volunteer Safety: 70%
Coordinates with PMs, PCVLs and the DPT in order to effectively:
o Motivate and support Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs);
o Conduct thorough site identification, development, and visits in coordination
with PMs and Champions following the standard process and correctly
completing required documentation;
o Oversee the preparation of PCV housing to ensure that housing is ready for
PCTs when they arrive in country,
o Provide weekly updates to the DPT on travel plans and major tasks to address,
o Communicate regularly with all PCVs in their region and provide updates to
the appropriate PM and / or Champion for noting in PCVs communication
records in VIDA;
o Contribute programmatic input to IPBS and Ops Plan development; and
o Support PMs and Champions in collecting, compiling, and reporting program
data.
Provides program support and ensures that PCVs are safe, engaged in meaningful
work, and living safely in their communities;
Assists PC staff in planning travel schedules;
Builds and maintains healthy relationships with local political and law enforcement
authorities
Builds and maintains healthy relationships PCVs, Peace Corps staff, and partners;
Assists in compiling Project Status Reports (PSRs), writing periodic and annual
reports, and participates in project plan reviews;
Promotes Peace Corps programs within the context of the Government of Ugandas
development priorities;
Responds to PCV field reports and issues concerning their sites and housing in their
region;
Assists PCVs in project implementation and development, including development of
secondary activities;
Promotes to PCVs and their counterparts to monitor and complete reporting
documentation to Peace Corps on their activities.
Counsels PCVs on technical and cross-cultural issues;

Maintains liaisons with the local police and other authorities to ensure Volunteers
safety and security and that of staff and property at main office, regional sub offices
and Volunteers sites,
Participates in the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan.
Responds timely to additional assignments from the Country Director.

2. Training: 20%
Develops effective working relationships with the training team;
Supports the training team to design, organize, facilitate, and plan logistics for
training events (PST, IST, COS conference, other Volunteer trainings) especially
within the geographical region, for PCVs and/or counterparts;
Identifies training sites, especially within the geographical region;

3. General Services: 10%

Coordinates with the General Services Manager (GSM). Peace Corps Medical
Officer (PCMO) and Deputy Director of Management Operations (DDMO) as
necessary;
Deliver mail to PCVs in particular regions;
Develops relationships with vendors to facilitate purchasing of necessary supplies
and services, and
Other duties as assigned by the CD or DPT.

Qualifications
Requirements:
University degrees Bachelors and Masters degree or Bachelors and some postBachelors degree studies.
At least 5 years management and supervision with increasing responsibilities.
Experience working in development with NGOs, community organizations,
international USAID-implementing agencies, government in one or more of the
following fields: health, community/public health, agribusiness, entrepreneurship,
education and training.
Demonstrates high professional standards in the ability to:
Serve on a team;
Be analytical, well organized and creative;
Compile and write reports;
Communicate effectively with Americans, staff, and NGOs, schools, government
agencies;
Use computer systems;
Understand PC Uganda policies and procedures, especially those relevant to area
of specialization;
Respect different cultures and divergent viewpoints

Excellent command of English, both spoken and written; native ability in spoken
and written at least one Ugandan language.

Ability to work on a regular Monday through Friday schedule with occasional

evening and weekend hours when necessary.
Ability to travel extensively at least 40% of the time
Ability and willingness to live and work in the Mbarara area.

Must be legally able to work in Uganda.

POSITION ELEMENTS
a.

b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

g.

Supervision Received
Under direct supervision of the DPT. Incumbent must be able to perform assigned tasks
independently within established rules and procedures and capable of carrying out
routine assignments with minimum supervision.
Supervision Exercised:
None. Day-to-day coordination of 3 staff and a PCVL.
Available Guidelines
Peace Corps manuals and established practices.
Exercise of Judgement
Considerable independence and exercise of judgment is required
Authority to Make Commitments
None
Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts
Contact with Peace Corps Volunteers, staff, contractors, vendors, Law enforcement
institutions.
Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties after Entry into the Position
52 weeks.

HOW TO APPLY
Only Electronic Submissions will be accepted.
Please submit a Word formatted letter of interest, resume, names and contact information for
three references to applications@ug.peacecorps.gov
Clearly indicate your name and the position applied for on the subject line of the cover email
as well as on all the attachments: For example Katungu Bonita_RPO for the Regional
Program Officer Position. Do not write any other words in the subject line of your mail.
Submitted documents become the property of the Peace Corps and will not be returned.
You will be contacted ONLY if you are deemed qualified. If called for an interview, you will
be expected to bring a reference letter from your area Local Council (LC1) as well as your
academic credentials.