Country Director - Mercy Corps, Uganda (National Position)

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 35 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. We know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Uganda Programs Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Uganda since 2006, focusing its interventions on economic and agricultural development, governance, conflict management and humanitarian response. With funding from USG, FCDO, DANIDA, AFD, ADA and private foundations, Mercy Corps has worked together with communities in Uganda to drive transformative change with a particular focus on addressing the needs of youth, refugees, host communities and adolescent girls in last mile and pastoralist communities. In 2025, Mercy Corps reached 22,700 direct participants in Uganda through our work to build resilience and enable economic growth, improve access to energy, and strengthen governance and conflict management. Innovation is at the core of Mercy Corps’ work in Uganda, and we look to accelerate innovative solutions to meet the challenges Ugandans face through a focus on climate change adaptation, access to energy, financial inclusion and economic opportunities for refugees and pastoralist communities.

General Position Summary

The Country Director will be responsible for setting strategic direction and delivery of an impactful portfolio that strengthens community resilience to conflict and climate shocks, aligning to the three Mercy Corps impact priorities of addressing urgent needs, accelerating climate solutions, and driving economic and food security. The Country Director is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Uganda. Looking to build on interventions that have already achieved lasting improvement in the lives of more than 930,000 Ugandans, s/he will continue to build a high-performing portfolio of transformative, multi-sectoral programming that is accountable to both program participants and donors. Placing a high value on innovative solutions to complex development challenges and creative partnerships, s/he pursues funding opportunities and builds partnerships that strategically connect programs into a cohesive country portfolio guided by a long-term strategy. The Country Director has full supervisory responsibility for the country team.

Supervisory Responsibility

Six direct reports including Finance Manager, Market Systems Development Specialist, Senior Program Quality and Development Manager, Country Operations Manager, Technical Advisor Energy Access, Senior People Culture and Safeguarding Officer and 24 indirect staff.

Accountability

Reports directly to the Africa Regional Vice President. Works directly with Deputy Regional Directors, regional and global technical teams, HQ and regional Program, Operations, Finance, Compliance teams, institutional donor engagement and corporate and foundation teams.

Minimum Qualifications and Transferable Skills

BA or equivalent in relevant field required; MA preferred.

7-10 years of field experience in international humanitarian and development programs including demonstrable success in managing large, complex, transitional development programs.

5 years of senior-level leadership and field management experience.

Demonstrated success managing and bringing together a multi-cultural team with team members in multiple offices.

Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.

Demonstrated experience developing a compelling strategic vision and success in securing funding for country programs.

Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.

Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with institutional and other donors.

Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

Excellent oral and written English skills required.

Success Factors

The successful Uganda Country Director will articulate a fresh and compelling vision for Mercy Corps in Uganda and skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team. S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. The role is a hands-on position and success will be determined by the level of direct engagement in program development, oversight of projects, fundraising for new projects and representing the agency to stakeholders. The successful Country Director should welcome multi-tasking and taking an active role in program design and overarching strategy. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Living Conditions and Environmental Conditions

The Country Director is based in the capital city Kampala. This position requires 35% travel to field offices. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit or short-term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.