Background

Uganda is often lauded for its progressive approach to hosting refugees. It is one of the pilot countries working to implement the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), the new global policy for responding to large refugee crises. The CRRF requires a multi-stakeholder approach, that includes participation of local and national actors and of refugees. One of the CRRF’s major objectives to supporting refugee self-reliance.

There is growing international recognition of the potential for refugee-led organizations to support to the goal of multi-stakeholder engagement and in achieving the core CRRF objectives. There is also recognition that supporting the establishment, development, and activities of refugee-led organizations aligns with multiple international refugee and humanitarian policies and objectives that require beneficiary engagement and support for local actors, including civil society. Despite this, there has been little discussion about the centrality of the right to associate to unleash the potential of refugee-led initiatives.

In Uganda, there are many refugees who have successfully registered non-profit organizations, and through them provide critical support to their fellow refugees. Uganda is unique around the world in the relative freedom it allows for refugees to register and operate their own organizations, and access banking services that allow them to receive donor funds. Unfortunately, as a result of growing restrictions on civic space and NGO activities—for refugees and Ugandan nationals alike—refugees have faced increased challenges registering new organizations and ensuring they overcome various bureaucratic impediments to continue legal operations.

Oxfam, together with the Refugee-Led Organization Network (RELON) and the Africa Chapter of the Global Refugee-led Network (GRN), intends to publish a briefing paper that achieves the following objectives:

• Highlight the contributions of refugee-led organizations to the Ugandan refugee response




• Analyse respect for refugees’ right to associate in Uganda, describing challenges, and placing them within the broader civic space context of Uganda




• Make recommendations for how the Ugandan government could improve operating environment for refugee-led organizations




• Increase global attention given to freedom of association as an important element of a favorable refugee-hosting environment

Proposed report outline:

• Refugees in Uganda




• Refugee-led civil society organizations in Uganda




• Freedom of Association in Uganda

o General context and challenges

o Experiences of refugee-led organizations (from sub-county to national level)

• The case for supporting refugee-led organizations




• Recommendations

We are recruiting an individual consultant or firm, with the following scope of work:

• Design research methodology




• Conduct desk and field research within Kampala and possibly other locations, ensuring active participation of RELON and GRN members in research design and data collection




• Conduct interviews with refugees, government officials, UNHCR, and other relevant stakeholders




• Develop targeted and specific policy recommendations for relevant stakeholders




• Draft a policy paper, for external publication, of approximately 8,000 words




• Draft a 2-3 page policy note summarizing findings and recommendations




• Develop an advocacy strategy jointly with RELON and GRN members and support initial advocacy engagements




• Present findings in a virtual webinar

Specific deliverables:

• Inception report outlining proposed research plan and timeline




• Briefing paper for external publication, including findings and recommendations




• Short policy note to support advocacy engagements




• Advocacy strategy and coordination/accompaniment for 2-3 specific advocacy engagements




• Virtual presentation on findings

Application requirements:

Interested candidates in the position are expected to provide the following documentation:

• A technical proposal with detailed response to the TOR, with specific focus on addressing the scope of work and methodology to be used




• Sample of previous research and policy papers or related work, etc.




• Initial work plan based on methodology outlined, and indication of availability




• A financial proposal detailing the daily rate expected, transportation costs, accommodation costs, etc. and initial work plan




• Company/organizational profile or CV including a minimum of 3 traceable, recent and relevant references to this task

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. We work with communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the core function of this position is the coordination of activities (operations and planning) and ensuring timely flow of information to and from the executive office. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to independently manage multiple tasks and projects with competing priorities and deadlines, screen and prioritize communications and opportunities from external and internal sources, and organize and maintain administrative processes essential to this position. This is a high demand position requiring someone who can be available at the request of the Executive Director and her schedule.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Serve as the ED’s administrative liaison to Adeso’s Senior Management Team and Heads of Department.

· Passion for helping others and managing an extremely active and dynamic calendar of appointments; completing expense reports, composing and preparing correspondence that is sometimes confidential; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; compiling documents for travel related meetings; coordinating activities, such as conferences, field visits, internally and externally organized workshops; and other tasks that facilitate the ED’s ability to effectively lead the organization.

· Adaptable to the changing requirements and the influx of various requests from Executive Team members and external organizations

· Keen attention to detail, ability to exercise initiative, and work independently

· Work closely and effectively with the ED to keep her well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately and keeping the ED apprised and updated.

· Prioritizes conflicting needs; handles matters expeditiously, proactively, and follows through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.

· When the ED chairs meetings: Prepare an agenda in advance; assist with and provide research/background information, content development, and creation of presentations, coordinate meetings and take meeting notes.

· Manage the daily schedule of the ED, ensuring that she knows her schedule 24 hours in advance and keeping appointments and meetings on time or changing schedules when necessary.

· On own initiatives process/compose correspondence/reports for ED’s and/or executive teams replies.

· Manage external contacts for ED, proactively understanding who they are, which priority contacts are and keeping track of periodic communication needed for priority contacts.

· Anticipate the ED’s needs and proactively bring together appropriate people and resources to support the executive in addressing issues.

· Plan and coordinate all aspects of quarterly board meetings, including tracking, monitoring and following the progress of action items, drafting the agenda, setting the timetable and following up on board material preparation and producing accurate Board minutes at each meeting when in attendance.

· Manage effective contacts and relationships with Board Members, including arranging board member travel arrangements, expense reimbursements, and board meeting logistics, and acting as a first point of contact for Board Member queries.

· Perform liaison services on behalf of Adeso to donors, Government Officials, other relevant partners Review correspondence (mail and email) addressed to the ED and take the appropriate follow-up actions as required.

· Must abide by the policies and procedures of the organization.

· Adhere to the organization’s compliance system and understand organizational policies and procedures necessary to ensure appropriate decision-making protocols are followed.

· Handle confidential information in a professional and discreet manner.

· Act as the ED’s representative and ambassador to external contacts as directed.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related qualification with a Diploma in Legal studies or a related field.

• Minimum 5 years or equivalent work-related experience supporting senior level Executives; experience working with Boards of Directors desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

• Highly proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Extensive experience in preparation of board and donor presentations.

• Excellent writing, proofreading and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to stay focused, efficient, and effective in managing multiple priorities.

• Professional demeanor and ability handle sensitive situations in a calm and professional manner.

• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment.

• Proven ability to work independently to achieve accomplishments.

• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and outside contacts.

• Experience working in an International arena a plus.

• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with internal team, cross-functional team, and external parties in a rapidly growing environment

• Ability to provide after hour and flexible support a must.

• Ability to travel 5%.