The Initiative Manager (IM) will be a member of the Climate Justice Program and will provide overall leadership on delivery of the SUSTAINED project. The IM will be responsible for project management oversight, technical guidance and quality assurance for both CARE and Partner led SUSTAINED project activities. The IM will be directly responsible for management of CARE’s Implementing Partner under this project, using sound principles of Locally led, to ensure delivery of outstanding results. Additionally, the IM will ensure that renewable energy interventions are gender transformative and achieve the best value for money. Furthermore, the IM will be required to contribute to the growth and quality assurance of the energy portfolio at CARE. The IM will report to the Climate Justice Program manager and will be the key liaison for CARE within the SUSTAINED consortium, Yumbe District and at Bidibidi settlement level.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility #1: Project MANAGEMENT Oversight

·        The IM is responsible for ensuring timely delivery of CARE’s planned deliverables as per approved proposals and budgets, working closely with the consortium and implementing partner (IP).

·        The IM will be responsible for planning and timely execution of activities, within the tight timeframe of the of the SUSTAINED project.  

·        The IM will liaise with the Implementing Partner and the CARE Grants team to monitor budget utilization, ensuring that there are no overspends and underspends and ultimately, zero No-Cost Extensions (NCEs).

·        The IM will review project risks from time to time, and devise timely mitigation measures, with the use of appropriate risk management tools.

·        The IM will be responsible for consolidation of reports, both financial and narrative, and ensure timely quality reporting to the donor as per respective grant agreements.

Responsibility #2: Program QUALITY and LEARNING (PQL)

·        The IM will appraise the energy solutions, to identify any technological, managerial or governance issues which may hinder the intended impact, and coordinate with ESCOs to address these within the demand activation interventions.  

·        The IM will plan, organize and manage the regular project reflection meetings, ensuring that the lessons are captured and inform on-going improvement in project delivery.

·        The IM will provide technical backstopping to the project’s Implementing partner to ensure to ensure delivery of outstanding results.  

·        The IM will work closely with the gender advisor to ensure that the project, including interventions by other consortium partners, is gender transformative.

·        The IM will also be required to embrace and embed other CARE quality markers of resilience, and governance across the project cycle, reporting on progress using the established MEAL system and other reporting systems like PIIRS.

·        The IM will ensure quality engagement at PQL platforms including monthly Program Review Meetings (PRMs) and quarterly PQL workshops.

·        The IM will work closely with the MEAL advisor to ensure a functional feedback and accountability mechanism is in place.

·        The IM will ensure robust communications and visibility of the project across different platforms like CARE shares, social media and any other relevant platforms that may present themselves, using quality content.

Responsibility #3: Strategic ENGAGEMENT and NETWORKING (SEN)

The IM is responsible for external engagement, representation and influencing systemic change at all levels using different platforms, networks, alliances and coalitions. To this end;

·        The IM will be responsible for the advocacy and influencing of actors within the energy sectors, Government, CSOs, and Private sector to expand clean energy solutions for refugees and their host communities.

·        The IM will be the main link between the SUSTAINED project and key leadership structures and/or technical working groups for both Humanitarian and development programs at Local Government Settlement and National levels, ensuring representation and contribution to on-going initiatives and policy debates within the energy sector. 

·        The IM is expected to engage internally at CARE, to influence the shift to and integration of renewable energy solutions within CARE as an organisation, and other CARE programs other than Climate Justice.

·        The IM will leverage own experience, to grow CARE’s engagement with renewable energy private sector partners and contribute to customisation of CARE’s tools, processes and systems to suit private sector.

Responsibility #4: Program Design

The IM will leverage own experience and expertise, as well as the experience from existing CARE energy projects, to contribute to the growth of the energy portfolio of the Climate Justice program. In this;

·        The IM will be required to identify and/or introduce and popularize cutting edge renewable energy innovations to CARE, for transformation the energy mix for women and girls in Uganda.

·        The IM will be responsible for documenting and/or design of clean energy models using the experience of SUSTAINED and other existing or past energy projects within CARE and beyond.

·        The IM will work closely the CJ program manager to identify and pursue viable multi-year funding opportunities and to establish critical partnerships for building a robust energy portfolio at CARE.

·        The IM will work closely with the CJ program Manager, and the CJ team, to prepare winning proposals in response to identified funding opportunities

Responsibility #5: Promote Gender Equity and Diversity and Safeguarding Practices (5%)

·        Practice a behavior consistent with CARE core values and promote gender equity and diversity goals.

·        Play a leadership role in identifying and implementing initiatives that enhance CARE’s commitment to gender and diversity.

·        Ensure that CARE Safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to by all and the staff that S/he supervisors both directly and indirectly

·        Ensure that He / She and Implementing Partners under the project are familiar with the following organizational policies and procedures and can identify when needed how these may have been breached, The CI Safeguarding policy, Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and Child Abuse, The anti-discrimination and harassment policy, The code of conduct and the organizations Values.

Responsibility #6: Any other duties assigned from time to time

·        Any other duties incidental to the role or assigned by supervisor.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

 v  Education at degree level in Renewable Energy, or any other relevant energy field from reputable institution.

v  At least 5 years of experience in management of energy projects.

v  Demonstrated experience of successful private engagement especially within the energy sector

v  A good understanding of the energy sector within Uganda and beyond

v  Demonstrated experience in design of, proposal writing, and resource mobilization for energy projects. 

v  Experience in research/evidence-generation, and using for advocacy and for influencing policy debates.

v  Good conceptual abilities, strategic thinking and analytical writing kills. 

v  Good communication, presentation, public speaking, discussion and negotiation skills.

v  Organizing skills and capacity to multi-task in rapidly changing and fast-paced environments;

v  Knowledge of and demonstrated personal commitment to relevant organizational codes of conduct including anti-fraud and anti-corruption, safeguarding etc

v  Leadership and interpersonal skills and proven experience influencing others without necessarily directly managing them;

v  Ability to ride a motorcycle, and possession of a valid riding permit

Desired:

·        Professional training and experience in project management, Monitoring and Evaluation.

·        Professional training in budget management, people management and communications.

·        Professional training and experience in gender equality women and girls’ empowerment