GRADUATE TRAINEE SCOPE OF WORK| GIRL H PROGRAM

LOCATION: MOROTO 

LENGTH OF GRADUATE TRAINEE: 6 MONTHS

SCALE: NA

GRADUATE TRAINEE SUPERVISOR Program Manager

Risk Level:     ☐ Level 3       ☐Level 2         ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability. 

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 Summary

The proposed extension of Mercy Corps’ GIRL-H program in Uganda builds on 32 months of demonstrated success in improving life skills, financial literacy, and sexual and reproductive health among adolescent girls and young women in Karamoja. With an additional 24 months of support, GIRL-H will transition from individual transformation to systemic impact, strengthening the institutions, communities, and networks that surround and support girls. 

This next phase, GIRL-H 3.0, will expand into two additional locations facing persistent challenges such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The program will deepen interventions across four strategic pillars: 

•  Sexual and Reproductive Health & Psychosocial Support (SRHR/MHPSS): Collaborating with government and health providers to expand youth-friendly SRHR services, strengthen referral pathways, and provide trauma-informed psychosocial support. 
•  Safe Spaces: Delivering structured sessions on life skills, employability, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, while fostering peer mentorship, gender dialogue, and community engagement to build resilience and empowerment. 
•  Gender Norms & Civic Engagement: Using Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and advocacy to challenge harmful norms, promote girls’ access to education, health, and economic opportunities, and empower youth as leaders in climate resilience and civic participation. 
•  Financial Inclusion & Livelihood Opportunities: Linking girls to formal financial institutions, digitizing savings group records, and equipping participants with digital literacy, business training, and market-relevant livelihood pathways. 
• By embedding inclusive practices, strengthening institutional support, and unlocking economic opportunities, GIRL-H will ensure lasting change for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda, advancing both individual well-being and community resilience long after the program concludes. 

Position Summary

The Graduate Trainee will support the implementation of the GIRL-H 3.0 program in Karamoja, contributing to initiatives that promote the well-being, empowerment, and resilience of adolescent girls and young women. Working under the supervision of the Program Manager and in collaboration with implementing partners, the trainee will assist in coordinating program activities across key areas, including sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial support (SRHR/MHPSS), safe space programming, gender norms transformation, civic engagement, and financial inclusion.

The role will involve supporting community-based activities such as safe space sessions, mentor trainings, youth engagement initiatives, and community dialogues, while also contributing to monitoring, data collection, documentation, and reporting of program progress. The Graduate Trainee will work closely with local partners, community leaders, and relevant government departments to ensure effective program implementation and community engagement. Through hands-on participation in field activities and program coordination, the trainee will gain practical experience in gender and youth programming, community development, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. The position also requires strict adherence to safeguarding standards, ethical conduct, and the “Do No Harm” principle when working with vulnerable populations, particularly adolescent girls and young women.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  

•  By the end of the graduate trainee placement, the trainee will have developed the following competencies and practical skills:
•  Gain hands-on experience supporting the implementation of community-based programs focused on adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).
•  Learn how to coordinate activities such as safe space sessions, mentorship programs, and community engagement initiatives, and develop practical knowledge of youth-friendly SRHR programming, referral systems, and collaboration with health facilities and service providers.
•  Build skills in applying Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategies to address harmful practices such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
•  Develop practical skills in data collection, activity monitoring, documentation, and reporting.
•  Learn how to track program indicators, support learning reviews, and contribute to evidence-based program improvement.
• Strengthen professional competencies in teamwork, communication, safeguarding, and the “Do No Harm” principle when working with vulnerable populations.

GRADUATE TRAINEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Graduate Trainee will support the implementation of the GIRL-H program while gaining practical experience in youth and adolescent development, gender programming, and community engagement. Under the supervision of the PM and in collaboration with the partners, the trainee will undertake the following responsibilities:

•  Assist in the planning and coordination of program activities implemented by the partners, including safe space sessions, SRHR activities, financial inclusion, mentor meetings, community dialogues, and youth engagement activities.
•  Support the partners in organizing training sessions for mentors, peer leaders, and community stakeholders.
•  Assist in collecting and documenting program data using approved monitoring tools.
•  Support review of partner activity reporting, data entry, and maintaining program records.
•  Organize learning and reflection sessions to document lessons learned and best practices.
•  Assist in reviewing partner activity reports, success stories, and case studies highlighting program impact.
•  Support documentation of program progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
•  Manage GIRL-H social Media handles
•  Support coordination with local partners, community groups, and relevant government departments.
•  Adhere to Mercy Corps’ safeguarding policies and uphold the Do No Harm principle when working with program participants.
• Ensure confidentiality and respect when working with vulnerable groups, particularly adolescent girls and young women

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS

•  A bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Public Health, Community Development, Social Sciences, public administration, or a related field from a recognized institution.
•  Demonstrated interest in gender equality, youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and community development.
•  Basic understanding of gender-based violence (GBV), harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) programming is an added advantage.
•  Must be a Karimojong with a strong understanding of the local context, culture, and community dynamics within Karamoja.
•  Ability to speak the local language(s) is commonly used in Karamoja to effectively engage with community members and program participants.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact respectfully with community members, partners, and stakeholders.
•  Basic knowledge of monitoring and evaluation practices, including data collection, documentation, and reporting.
•  Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and demonstrate willingness to learn and take initiative.
•  Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to support multiple program activities simultaneously.
•  Proficiency in basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
•  Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct, safeguarding, confidentiality, and the Do No Harm principle when working with vulnerable populations.
•  Willingness to travel to field locations and work closely with communities and local partners.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

•  The Graduate Trainee will be based in the Karamoja sub-region and will be required to regularly travel to program implementation sites within the targeted districts and communities.
•  The role will involve frequent fieldwork, including participation in community meetings, safe space sessions, training activities, and engagement with local partners and stakeholders.
•  The Graduate Trainee will work closely with program staff, partner organizations, community mentors, and local leaders to support the implementation of program activities.
•  The position may require flexible working hours, including occasionally early mornings or late evenings, depending on the schedule of community activities and trainings.
•  The trainee will be expected to work in remote and rural settings, sometimes with limited infrastructure and connectivity.
•  The Graduate Trainee will operate in line with Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures, including safeguarding, protection, and the Do No Harm principle when working with vulnerable populations.
•  The trainee will receive technical guidance and mentorship from the program team to support professional development and learning throughout the placement period.
•  The role will provide hands-on learning opportunities in community development, gender programming, and youth empowerment, while contributing to the objectives of the GIRL-H program
•  Mercy Corps Graduate Trainees represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

To Apply

Interested applicants must submit their Cover Letter & CV saved in 1 PDF document of no more than 5 pages by 17^th April 2026.

Please note that any application submitted that does not follow the above instructions will be automatically discarded.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Mercy Corps does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.