Consultant - Apolou Activity Close Out - Remote or Uganda

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program Department Summary

Mercy Corps implements high quality- analytical work in tough environments and has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently manages a range of programs in Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja sub-regions with funding from a host of donors. In October 2017, Mercy Corps was awarded a 6-year USAID/BHA- funded program working in five districts in Karamoja (Amudat, Moroto, Kotido, Karenga and Kaabong), the Apolou Activity. The Activity goal “improved food and nutrition security” has four purposes with cross cutting themes of gender, youth and resilience:

1. Inclusive and effective governance contributes to food and nutrition security
2. Adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and children under five are nutritionally secure
3. Reduced incidences of WASH related diseases
4. Improved livelihoods and income support household food security

Apolou is implemented by a consortium of partners led by Mercy Corps, including Save the Children, and four local partners (KAPDA, NARWOA and RiamiRiam).

Purpose/ Project Description

The Close Out Consultant will work directly with the Chief of Party (CoP) to help close out of the six-year $54 million USAID/BHA Development Food Security Activity (DFSA), titled “Apolou”, and “Resilience Challenge Fund'' program funded by the USAID Centre for Resilience. The Close Out Lead will ensure a compliant close out across the consortium while adhering to Mercy Corps program quality standards.

Consultant Objectives:

The Consultant will:

• Convene regular close-out planning meetings, updating and revising the plan, monitoring progress of other team members also responsible for close-out activities, and reporting progress to the Chief of Party.
• With the PM Officer, complete the Program File for RCF and Apolou, paying special attention to ensure all required donor approvals and communications are properly filed.
• Work with Apolou SMT and the Ethics team to review and regularly update the Close Out Risk Register and risk mitigation strategies
• Work with the Operations team to manage the disposition of program assets.
• Work with the Operations Team (particularly the assets management team) to ensure that the Inventory List is up to date and prepare a final inventory report.
• Advocate and advise on the importance of program controls within complex programs, especially during close out, both internally within the team and globally across Mercy Corps.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team (Ops, Fin, P&C) to identify and quickly resolve issues, bottlenecks and conflicts that affect any aspect of close out program operations and quality.
• Liaise with HQ on support for contractors, visitors, and external consultants.
• Provide regular updates on close out to SMT, SLT and the Complex Board.
• Lead the Close Out Sub-Committee of Apolou SMT members.
• Coordinate with Program, finance, and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support the close out of field activities (including logistics, procurement, security, administration, and human resources).
• Support Operations with the closing of five field offices in Karamoja.
• Implement close out recommendations according to Mercy Corps’ Program Management Manual, with specific focus on the Program Lifecycle and Minimum Standards Checklist and the End of Program Transition Plan.
• Working with SLT, ensure a smooth exit of the programme and transition to a reduced operational structure in the region.
• Coordinate the planning, organization and implementation of close out events for Apolou ensuring the Activity leaves a positive legacy.
• Ensure the smooth close out and ending of all subawardees.
• Confirm all elements of the Mercy Corps Sub award Closeout Checklist is completed, to ensure an efficient and full closeout of subrecipients (both national and international).
• Oversee the staff phase out plan including ensuring all staff have correct contract end dates and exit smoothly from the organization. Including identifying strategies to appreciate staff through close out events, for example.
• Provide ownership to the close out of the budget including operationalizing the commitment tracker and regularly updating the detailed FY6 forecast.
• In liaison with the Chief of Party, regularly review the ‘financial health’ of the Apolou Activity flagging any issues or risks.
• Draft and compile official compliance related communications to USAID
• Act as compliance focal person for Apolou (review of high risk processes for compliance including SOPs, primary liaison with HQ on compliance issues etc.), focal person for audits and internal risk team
• Meet all donor requirements related to close out including: close out plan, inventory reports, and asset disposition plans etc.

Timeframe: This contract is scheduled from 1st of April to 30th of September 2023 for a total of 90 days.

Potential Deliverable Deadlines: All dates subject to change—more detail to be provided in workplan.

• 3/31/23 | Annual Meeting and second round of team exit
• 4/20/23 |Karamoja level USAID learning event
• 5/31/23 | Close out of two satellite offices (Karenga and Karita)
• 6/30/23 |Close out of three district offices (Amudat, Kotido and Kaabong)
• 6/30/23 | Third round of team exit
• 7/31/23 | Close out of regional office (Moroto)
• 8/30/23 | Kampala level USAID learning event
• 9/30/23 | Submission of final report to USAID

Consultant Activities and Deliverables:

The Consultant will develop a workplan to address the deadlines and roles/ responsibilities above. The consultant will then share the work plan with the Chief of Party and agree on the working modality, time frame, level of effort and degree of engagement.

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S or equivalent experience in international development field or equivalent.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in program/grant management, compliance, partnership management with a proven ability to coordinate and manage diverse, complex initiatives.
• Experience in international development and humanitarian assistance in East Africa is strongly preferred.
• Strong representation, networking and facilitation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a diverse, geographically spread team.
• At least 6 years’ experience in a relevant position plus experience in a coordination and/or management support role.
• A high degree of organizational skills using computer-based tools/software with demonstrated attention to details.
• Proven record of project management particularly including operations, finance and program activities as well as trouble shooting skills. Preferably have a project management qualification such as PMD Pro1 or PRINCE.
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills that meet the standards of Mercy Corps and USAID reporting.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate frequently and effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Proven ability to conduct him/herself professionally under pressure.
• Prior work experience in Uganda and demonstrable understanding of the context a significant advantage

The Consultant will report to:

Chief of Party, Apolou

The Consultant will work closely with:

Implementation Director (Apolou), Technical Director (Apolou), M&E Director (Apolou), CLA lead (Apolou), Finance Director (Mercy Corps), Interim Operations Manager (Mercy Corps), People and Culture Manager (Mercy Corps), Country Director (Mercy Corps)

**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.

**Equal Employment Opportunity
**We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

**Safeguarding & Ethics
**Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 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 in-country venues.