Meta Description: Apply for the Mercy Corps Country Director position in Uganda. Lead humanitarian and development programs, drive strategic partnerships, and make a lasting impact across communities.
Mercy Corps Country Director – Uganda (National Position) Applications Open
Are you an experienced leader in international development, humanitarian response, or nonprofit management? Mercy Corps is seeking an exceptional Country Director to lead its operations in Uganda, providing strategic leadership for one of the organization’s most impactful country programs.
This senior leadership opportunity is ideal for professionals with extensive experience managing complex development portfolios, building high-performing teams, securing donor funding, and strengthening partnerships with governments, development agencies, and the private sector.
If you are passionate about creating sustainable change and improving the lives of vulnerable communities, this could be your next career-defining opportunity.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization driven by the belief that a better world is possible. Operating in more than 35 countries, Mercy Corps works with communities affected by conflict, poverty, climate change, and disasters to create lasting solutions that strengthen resilience and expand economic opportunity.
The organization values innovation, collaboration, diversity, and local leadership, empowering communities to build stronger and more sustainable futures.
About Mercy Corps Uganda
Mercy Corps has worked in Uganda since 2006, implementing programs focused on:
- Economic development
- Agriculture
- Governance
- Conflict management
- Humanitarian response
- Climate adaptation
- Energy access
- Financial inclusion
- Youth employment
- Refugee resilience
The organization works alongside governments, local communities, donors, and private sector partners to improve livelihoods and strengthen resilience across Uganda. Its programs have reached hundreds of thousands of people through initiatives that address poverty, climate challenges, and economic opportunities.
About the Country Director Role
The Country Director serves as Mercy Corps’ senior representative in Uganda and is responsible for providing strategic, operational, financial, and programmatic leadership across the country portfolio.
The successful candidate will guide the organization’s long-term strategy while ensuring programs deliver measurable impact for communities and meet donor expectations.
The role is based in Kampala, Uganda, and includes travel to field offices as required.
Key Responsibilities
As Country Director, you will:
Provide Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement Mercy Corps’ long-term country strategy.
- Identify new opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Align country programs with organizational priorities.
- Lead annual strategic planning processes.
Strengthen Partnerships
The Country Director represents Mercy Corps before:
- National government institutions
- Local governments
- Bilateral donors
- Multilateral agencies
- Private sector partners
- International NGOs
- Local civil society organizations
- Media stakeholders
Building strong partnerships is essential for expanding Mercy Corps’ impact across Uganda.
Manage Programs
Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring high-quality program delivery.
- Monitoring project performance.
- Maintaining compliance with donor requirements.
- Supporting innovation across development programs.
- Strengthening accountability and safeguarding systems.
- Promoting effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices.
Lead Teams
The successful candidate will oversee a multidisciplinary leadership team, develop national talent, support staff development, promote accountability, and foster an inclusive workplace culture focused on collaboration and excellence.
Financial and Operational Oversight
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing country budgets
- Financial planning
- Grant management
- Operational oversight
- Risk management
- Compliance with donor policies
- Strengthening internal controls
Strong financial stewardship is critical to ensuring sustainable program delivery.
Security and Safeguarding
The Country Director is also responsible for:
- Staff safety and security
- Security planning
- Incident management
- Safeguarding implementation
- Ethical leadership
- Maintaining participant accountability
The role ensures Mercy Corps maintains the highest standards of integrity and protection across all operations.
Qualifications
Mercy Corps is seeking an accomplished development leader with:
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (master’s degree preferred).
- Extensive experience managing humanitarian or international development programs.
- Senior leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong fundraising and donor engagement experience.
- Excellent financial management skills.
- Experience working with governments, NGOs, and private sector partners.
- Outstanding communication and leadership abilities.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Professional project or programme management qualifications are considered an added advantage.
Desired Leadership Qualities
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking
- Visionary leadership
- Innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Team development
- Partnership building
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Accountability
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
Mercy Corps values leaders who inspire others while delivering measurable results in complex operating environments.
Why Join Mercy Corps?
Working with Mercy Corps provides the opportunity to contribute to meaningful humanitarian and development work while collaborating with experts from around the world.
Benefits include:
- Leadership of nationally significant development programs
- Opportunities to influence long-term policy and strategy
- Collaboration with international donors and partners
- Professional growth in a globally respected organization
- Commitment to continuous learning and staff development
- Inclusive and diverse workplace culture
Mercy Corps also encourages employees to dedicate time to ongoing professional learning and skills development.
Who Should Apply?
This position is ideal for professionals working in:
- International development
- Humanitarian assistance
- Global health
- Economic development
- Agriculture
- Governance
- Climate resilience
- NGO leadership
- Programme management
- International relations
Candidates with extensive leadership experience and a passion for creating sustainable change are strongly encouraged to apply.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your chances:
- Tailor your CV to highlight leadership achievements.
- Demonstrate experience managing large donor-funded programmes.
- Showcase fundraising success and strategic partnerships.
- Quantify programme impact wherever possible.
- Highlight financial management and compliance experience.
- Include examples of leading multicultural teams.
- Emphasize innovation, resilience, and adaptive leadership.
A compelling application should clearly demonstrate your ability to lead complex operations while delivering measurable impact for communities.
Final Thoughts
The Mercy Corps Country Director – Uganda position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the organization’s flagship country programmes and contribute to lasting development outcomes. From driving strategic partnerships and securing donor funding to leading high-performing teams and strengthening community resilience, this role places you at the forefront of humanitarian and development leadership.
If you have the vision, experience, and commitment to lead transformational programmes, now is the time to prepare your application and join Mercy Corps in making a lasting difference across Uganda.
