Position Title: Business Innovation Volunteer

Reports to: Economic Inclusion and Livelihoods Coordinator.

Duration: 3 months (With possibility of extension)

Location: Kampala

Position Requirements

Organizational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international nongovernmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organization was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in 57 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. The main services provided are in the fields of Education and Livelihoods, Pastoral, Reconciliation, MHPSS, and Advocacy.

Operational Context/Role

The Business Innovation Volunteer’s primary responsibility is to provide supervision /coordination of livelihoods in house and external training activities, monitoring beneficiaries at business sites, business grants, internship place and securing internship opportunity linkages to employment. She/he is responsible for planning, implementing business-related activities and identification of livelihood opportunities in JRS Kampala office focused on refugees in accordance with policies and procedures of the JRS operations. The Business Innovation Volunteer will support the Economic Inclusion and Livelihoods Coordinator to implement positive and effective relationships with key partners and contacts in the interest of promoting JRS-Kampala project objectives with full compliance of JRS operations with JRS principles, rules, regulations and policies, operational strategies and relevant reference documents and policies (Sphere, Do no harm, PSEAH, safeguarding policies).

Key Responsibilities:

• To plan and give professional oversight on JRS grant activities and outcomes, including beneficiary registration, assessment and selection, financial literacy, business skills trainings, evaluation of business proposal for Urban farming initiatives, new product innovations and value chain development.
• To prepare plans for effective implementation of business-related activities, monitoring and supervision, follow-up of all internship program and grant scheme, integration of students into the job market and self-employment.
• To perform market research, business assessments and preparing individualized mentorship for business improvement.
• To support in the assessments of beneficiaries’ business proposals for funding.
• To create new innovations and incorporate them into the existing JRS Livelihood programs.
• To conduct frequent field monitoring of beneficiaries at business sites and linking graduates to internship opportunities for practicum.
• To create internship and employment linkage for graduates both wage and self-employment.
• To implement apprenticeship programme with keen attention to beneficiary needs and the suitability of the service providers including placement.
• To provide technical feedback on monthly, quarterly basis with full narrative reports ensuring that established project objectives and targets are met.
• To prepare brief location-based reports monthly outlining locally developed social cohesion strategies and identified contextual changes within communities to ensure project approaches are adapted to evolve dynamics within communities.
• Coordinates and implement social enterprise through liaison with different organisers of exhibitions and other market related events.
• Compiles and takes records of collections from different sales of products in different markets and events in collaboration with the instructors.
• Supports establishment and monitors the functionality of the resource centers to increase beneficial capabilities of the centers to the JRS graduates and the community.
• To assist in the coordination and analysis of needs with focus on market assessments and surveys ensuring social cohesion and stakeholders mapping.
• To oversee participatory needs assessments and identify appropriate livelihood interventions to increase incomes for the host and refugee communities in the target locations.
• To oversee the implementation of technical approaches in micro-enterprise development, value-chain development, financial inclusion (savings groups/financial literacy), and integration of social behavior change initiatives to foster peaceful co-existence in refugee host communities.
• To prepare monthly and quarterly expenditure forecasts and work plans for program activities to ensure that the project remains on track against the forecasts and budget commitment tracker.
• In conjunction with the Livelihood Coordinator, she is responsible for coordination and liaison between JRS and contracted business skills training and mentorship service providers, consultants, agencies/local government/local communities/refugee community as regards to JRS’ Livelihoods programme.
• Any other administrative or field duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.

The above role profile is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reporting:

• You will report to and be supervised by the Economic Inclusion and Livelihoods Coordinator.

Qualifications, Education, and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Development Studies, Agribusiness, Project Management, or a related field.
• Basic understanding of business planning, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and market opportunities.
• Ability to support the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of programme activities.
• Good computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to collect, organise, analyse, and present basic programme information and data.
• Good report-writing and documentation skills.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of entrepreneurship, small business development, livelihoods, and market linkages.
• Ability to conduct basic market research and business assessments.
• Good communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to support business training, mentorship, and beneficiary follow-up.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to support business training, mentorship, and beneficiary follow-
• Ability to work with different stakeholders, including beneficiaries, trainers, businesses, employers, and community organisations.
• Willingness to learn and develop practical skills in livelihoods programming and enterprise development.

Personal qualities:

• Innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proactive and results-oriented.
• Analytical and solution-focused.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as core values.

Languages

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of other commonly spoken local languages in Kampala is an advantage.

Leadership Behaviors

• Demonstrates servant leadership and respect for the dignity of beneficiaries and colleagues.
• Builds effective relationships with partners, service providers, employers, and community stakeholders.
• Promotes teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrates accountability for assigned activities, resources, and results.
• Makes decisions based on evidence, programme needs, and organisational policies.
• Demonstrates commitment to JRS values and and mission.

Travel

• The position requires regular travel within Kampala and surrounding areas to conduct beneficiary monitoring, business assessments, market research, training, mentorship, internship follow-up, and stakeholder engagement.
• Occasional travel to other JRS project locations within Uganda may be
• Willingness to undertake frequent field visits and work outside the office as required by programme activities.

Eligibility

The position is nationally recruited and open to candidates currently residing in Uganda with legal authorization to work in the country, including members of the refugee community who possess the relevant qualification.

How to apply

• Written application explaining why you are interested in the above position and how you meet the qualities and qualification criteria.
• Attach a CV with a maximum of 3 The CV should contain information about your qualifications, relevant trainings, work experience, names and contact details of three (3) professional referees.
• You must send your CV and application as a single PDF file

• Applications should be sent online to Jesuit Refugee Service Uganda at uga.hr@jrs.net

Note: JRS maintains a zero-tolerance policy for exploitation, abuse, and harassment. We strictly uphold international safeguarding standards to protect both the communities we serve and our personnel through robust Child Safeguarding (CS) and PSEAH policies in place and expect all staff to read, sign and adhere to it.

Deadline: Monday 19^th October 2026

No late applications will be considered – Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

JRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND HAS A NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY IN PLACE.