Background

The Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) is a youth-driven, African-led non-profit organization and social enterprise based in Kampala, Uganda. Founded in 2012 by Abaas Mpindi, MCI focuses on building the next generation of journalists, storytellers, and media innovators in East Africa. It bridges the gap between theoretical classroom learning and the practical skills required in modern newsrooms

Position Summary

Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) is seeking a proactive and highly organized Store Assistant to oversee the day-to-day management of equipment, inventory, and store operations within our Kampala office. The role is essential in ensuring efficient equipment control, proper record keeping, timely distribution of materials, and accountability for organizational assets across both the NGO and social enterprise functions.

This position focuses on inventory management, procurement support, stock monitoring, and operational coordination. It goes beyond basic storekeeping, requiring strong organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to maintain accurate systems and support smooth internal operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Inventory & Asset Management

• Maintain accurate records of all stock, tools, equipment, and supplies using inventory systems
• Issue, receive, and track movement of inventory to staff, departments, and field activities.
• Conduct regular stock counts and reconciliations to prevent loss, damage, or discrepancies.
• Manage simultaneous issuance of equipment to field teams while maintaining sufficient buffer stock at the main hub to support ongoing operations and requests

2. Store Operations & Safety Compliance

• Oversee the day-to-day management, organization, and cleanliness of the store and storage areas to ensure efficient operations
• Ensure proper labelling, storage, and handling of supplies and equipment in accordance with organizational procedures and safety standards.
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure storage spaces, tools, and equipment meet workplace health and safety requirements

3. Procurement & Logistics Coordination

• Provide equipment and materials for onboarding processes in coordination with People & Culture, ensuring all new staff are issued required tools and assets on time.
• Monitor inventory levels and initiate restocking requests to avoid operational shortages or delays.
• Coordinate with procurement and Finance & Admin teams to receive, verify, and record deliveries against purchase orders and invoices.

4. Reporting, Coordination & Operational Support

• Coordinate logistical support for trainings, events, productions, workshops, and field activities by ensuring timely availability of required materials and equipment.
• Prepare and maintain inventory reports, equipment movement records, asset registers, and supporting store documentation.
• Work closely with finance, administration, HR, production, and program teams to ensure smooth operational support across the organization.
• Recommend and support improvements to inventory systems, store processes, and operational efficiency

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least 1 year experience in storekeeping, inventory management or logistics preferably in development organizations, or fast-paced environments.
• Strong command of English (written and spoken); knowledge of additional Ugandan languages is an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace; experience with inventory or asset management systems is an added advantage.
• Strong numerical, record-keeping, and reporting skills with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple requests, deadlines, and operational demands in a structured and efficient manner.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organized with strong discipline in maintaining order, systems, and accountability.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with the ability to anticipate stock needs and operational challenges.
• Strong sense of responsibility and integrity in handling organizational assets and equipment.
• Team-oriented with good communication skills and ability to coordinate across departments.
• Calm under pressure, adaptable, and effective in fast-paced or field-based operational environments.

• Maintain accurate records of all stock, tools, equipment, and supplies using inventory systems
• Issue, receive, and track movement of inventory to staff, departments, and field activities.
• Conduct regular stock counts and reconciliations to prevent loss, damage, or discrepancies.
• Manage simultaneous issuance of equipment to field teams while maintaining sufficient buffer stock at the main hub to support ongoing operations and requests
• Oversee the day-to-day management, organization, and cleanliness of the store and storage areas to ensure efficient operations
• Ensure proper labelling, storage, and handling of supplies and equipment in accordance with organizational procedures and safety standards.
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure storage spaces, tools, and equipment meet workplace health and safety requirements
• Provide equipment and materials for onboarding processes in coordination with People & Culture, ensuring all new staff are issued required tools and assets on time.
• Monitor inventory levels and initiate restocking requests to avoid operational shortages or delays.
• Coordinate with procurement and Finance & Admin teams to receive, verify, and record deliveries against purchase orders and invoices.
• Coordinate logistical support for trainings, events, productions, workshops, and field activities by ensuring timely availability of required materials and equipment.
• Prepare and maintain inventory reports, equipment movement records, asset registers, and supporting store documentation.
• Work closely with finance, administration, HR, production, and program teams to ensure smooth operational support across the organization.
• Recommend and support improvements to inventory systems, store processes, and operational efficiency

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong administrative skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain accurate systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in Google Workspace
• Strong numerical skills
• Strong record-keeping skills
• Strong reporting skills
• High accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple requests, deadlines, and operational demands in a structured and efficient manner
• Communication skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least 1 year experience in storekeeping, inventory management or logistics preferably in development organizations, or fast-paced environments.
• Strong command of English (written and spoken)
• Knowledge of additional Ugandan languages is an advantage.
• Experience with inventory or asset management systems is an added advantage.