Vacancy title:
National Stake Holder Engagement Officer

Jobs at:
Uganda Virus Research Institute

Deadline of this Job:
not later than 2 weeks after this advertisement date.

Duty Station:
Kampala, Uganda

Job details:
Job title: National Stakeholder Engagement Officer (1 position available)

Location: The person will be based at UVRI campus in Entebbe. The position will require frequent travels within Uganda and potentially at the Pan-African level as well.

Working hours: This is a full-time position (40 hours per week minimum)

Reports to: Plat UVRl. Length of Appointment: from 1st May 2011 to 31st January 2020 with 6 months’ probation period

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Target Malaria Uganda is seeking to recruit a national stakeholder engagement officer. This new position has been created in recognition of the importance of having dialog with stakeholders at national level to build and maintain effective and constructive relationships with multiple stakeholders for the success of the project. The project interacts with a broad range of stakeholders at national level including representatives of the national government, regulators, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research groups, civil society groups or individuals. In the longer-term engagement at the regional and pan African level will also be essential for the success of the project. The National Stakeholder Engagement Officer will play a critical role in building the profile and voice of Target Malaria through strategic engagement. The role will require liaising across the full range of the Target Malaria teams to ensure engagement on the project is coordinated, coherent and is a two-way dialogue; The role is to ensure that stakeholders are informed but also that their feedback, expectations and concerns are shared with the project team. This is an essential part of the co-development and coownership values of the project.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES’
The national stakeholder engagement officer will facilitate the dialog between the national level stakeholders and the project. He/she will be responsible for the promotion oi trust and confidence between the national stakeholders and the project. The responsibilities of this role include (but are not limited to):

Engagement activities:

• Ensure adequate information for national level stakeholders on project activities (whether current or future)
  
• Ensure appropriate consultation of national stakeholders before the implementation of activities and feedback concerns, suggestions to tne project tor them to be consloereo;
  
• Ensure that the national level dialog is inclusive by mapping key stakeholders;
  
• Support the regulatory process by advising on and managing potential stakeholder issues and coordinating stakeholder engagement activities with the regulatory team;
  
• Promote communication by supporting the development of culturally appropriate methods taking into account social and cultural contexts;
  
• Represent the project as required to high~ profile, regional and national stakeholders, building constructive relationships across governmental, non-profit and private sector organisations
  
• Support the project team by facilitating the dialogue with national authorities;
  
• Participate in regional and pan-African engagement activities according to the international stakeholder engagement plan and under the leadership of the consortium stakeholder engagement manager. Strategy activities:
  
• Lead the formulation and the implementation of a stakeholder engagement strategy at national level in Uganda;
  
• Participate in the formulation of tools, procedures and policies for stakeholder engagement and documentation of activities;
  
• Contribute to consortium activities related to stakeholder engagement.
  
• Take part in risk management of this project on issues related to stakeholders’ acceptance of the project;

Reporting activities:

• Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the engagement and stakeholders’ acceptance level for the project;
  
• Provide activity report and updates of support tools to facilitate follow-up and reporting on engagement activities;
  
• Report regularly to the Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator and the Principal investigator

EDUCATION:

• University Degree in Social Science, Mass Communication or related field

EXPERIENCE Essential:

• Substantial experience (five years minimum) working at a position with responsibility for community engagement in sub-Saharan Africa, including development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies and national stakeholder engagement in a research, scientific or corporate environment
  
• Experience of working developing appropriate communication materials to support external stakeholder engagement
  
• Experience of working providing constructive relationships and credibility with influential stakeholders at national level including governments, regulatory bodies, civil society groups and individuals
  
• Strong existing network of stakeholder contacts in national health and/or research sector

Desirable:

• Experience of working with regional level (East Africa) or pan-African level
  
• Experience of Ugandan regulatory frameworks
  
• Familiarity with ethical standards for biomedical research or community informed consent processes

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability and willingness to travel within Uganda and overseas
  
• Ability to work collaboratively and productively with colleagues, external consultants, and multiple stakeholders with direct management and functional reporting lines
  
• High level of interpersonal and influencing skills
  
• Proficiency in written and oral English as well as at least one Ugandan dialect;
  
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce effective communication for a broad variety of audiences
  
• Proven ability to prioritize multiple work streams and meet tight deadlines
  
• Flexible approach to deliver work plans and revisions as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
  
• Impeccable ethical standards Salary: This position attracts competitive salary

Job application procedure
Applications must include the following: A recent CV., detailed, with names and contacts (e-mail and phone) of two work-related referees, and certified true by the candidate; with copies of academic certificates, and transcripts‘ Interested candidates should submit their applications in a sealed envelope marked: “National Stakeholder Engagement Officer Target Malaria" to:

The Director, Uganda Virus Research Institute P.0.Box 49 Entebbe Email: targetmalariaug@uvri.go.ug  OR: hand-delivered to his office at Plot 51-59, Nakiwugo Road, Entebbe.

Applications should reach the office of UVRI no later than 2 weeks after this advertisement date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.