Uganda: Programme Director

Report to: Country Director

General description of the country programme

First operational in Uganda in the late 70’s, the current country programme focuses on two of GOAL’s three strategic sectors, namely Health (including WASH and Health Accountability programming); and a market based approach to improving agricultural livelihoods and WASH. GOAL Uganda mainstreams HIV, gender, child protection and the resilience strategies across all programming. GOAL works on a district focused approach, and uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with national and international civil society organizations, local government, the private sector and communities to give effect to our mission.

GOAL has a skilled team of 105 personnel and manages an annual operating budget of approximately € 8.9 million (2018). GOAL is currently operational in the North, South, East and West of Uganda with five established offices in Kampala, Bugiri, Abim, Kaabong, Lira and Agago Districts. GOAL Uganda country programme is funded by a number of donors who include DfID, Charity Water, Irish Aid, Mastercard, GOAL and a number of small foundations.

General Programme Summary

Working in consortia with Mercy Corps, VSO and Restless Development, the Driving Youth-led New Agribusiness and Microenterprise (DYNAMIC) programme will strengthen systems and facilitate the creation of sustainable economic opportunities for disadvantaged Ugandan youth. DYNAMIC’s overall goal is to increase the number of young people who are in secure employment or self-employment and to promote effective and efficient agricultural market systems for youth. Through a market-driven and holistic approach, DYNAMIC will engage an array of public and private sector actors to increase access to goods, services, markets, information and productive and social assets to increase productivity of Ugandan agribusinesses and non-farm enterprises.

DYNAMIC will reach 125,000 out-of-school youth aged 15 – 24 living in peri-urban and rural areas within eight districts of northern Uganda over five years. Through an innovative, market facilitation approach, DYNAMIC will promote long-term efficiency in existing agricultural systems. Youth already engaged in on-farm activities will move from subsistence to more productive and profitable farming. DYNAMIC will increase the employability of Ugandan youth by facilitating access to demand driven technical skills, knowledge and market information that directly respond to business opportunities in the agricultural sector. In parallel, DYNAMIC will link agribusinesses and microenterprises to market opportunities and diverse stakeholders, and ensure they can utilize appropriate (formal and informal) financial services. DYNAMIC’s design recognizes that youth are a diverse age group requiring tailored interventions to fit their stage in life and transition into the workforce. In particular, DYNAMIC will ensure that participating youth, particularly young women, are engaging in appropriate, safe, and productive economic opportunities.

General Position Summary

The Programme Director will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the MasterCard Foundation funded DYNAMIC programme. S/he works closely with an extended team from GOAL and all consortia partners to develop, research, implement and measure the programme. DYNAMIC is implemented by a consortium of actors; GOAL is the prime grantee and along with Mercy Corps, will directly implement the programme across eight districts. VSO is the technical lead for skills and learning and Restless Development is the technical lead for youth engagement. Mercy Corps is the technical lead for market development and financial services and GOAL is the technical lead for M&E. Overseas Development Institute (ODI) will provide technical back stopping to overall M&E systems on behalf of MasterCard Foundation.

The Programme Director will lead the coordination, strategic, compliance, M&E, reporting of the consortium of implementing partners; engendering a collaborative team spirit focused on achievement of the programmes goals. The programme is just beginning (August 2015 – 2020), and offers the right candidate an exciting opportunity to influence the setup, research and detailed implementation design of this large and innovative programme. The position is based in Lira, a thriving market town mid – eastern Uganda where the programme management unit (PMU) will sit.

In Summary:

The successful candidate will possess strong strategic and leadership skills with the ability to maintain a broad perspective. S/he will undertake innovative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new programme ideas and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning. S/he will also have ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected events impacting programme operations. The ideal candidate will be familiar with market based agricultural programmes targeting youth, and will demonstrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity, while also demonstrating skills and ability to build and maintain partnerships with international organizations and private sector partners. Must have strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate and manage expectations of many stakeholders. The ability and desire to grow a cohesive and professional team from across multiple partners is essential.

Essential Job Functions

Strategy and Vision

• Lead on the development, implementation, promotion and monitoring of strategic plans, programmes and projects by personal application and delegation of responsibility.
• Oversee implementation of programme priorities.
• Explore, evaluate and present new country opportunities that leverage impact and/ or complement core activities supporting youth led agribusiness.

Program Management and Budget Management

• Ensure consistent and effective communications both within and across the consortia, within GU and HQ, and externally.
• Working closely with GOAL MEAL Coordinator and ODI (learning partner), to design measurement methodologies and monitor programme implementation, measure outputs and outcomes, and calibrate programme strategy and implementation accordingly.
• Provide oversight of consortia partners management and ensure efficient coordination between Grants Management and Finance Teams.. Manage efficient rollout of all operations in accordance with agreed work plans, budgets and implementation strategy.
• Ensure all Mastercard Foundation regulations and guidelines are adhered to at all times across the programme.
• Ensure that all work follows international quality standards and best practices and that agriculture initiatives are technically and environmentally sound.

Team Management

• Build the capacity of the PMU and consortia partners staff for a market facilitative approach to agricultural system development with youth.
• Manage staff development needs of programme staff in liaison with GOAL HR and management.
• Monitor and advise GOAL management on staffing needs.
• Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to all PMU staff.

Representationand Networking

• Engage in high level representation and presentation of DYNMAIC to to the Mastercard Foundation; the Uganda government at national and district levels; the DYNAMIC Steering Committee; Consortia Coordination Group; other relevant National Advisory Committees such as the National Youth Forum/ Working Group; and private sector partners.
• Represent DYNAMIC at external / international conferences, such as the Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference, SEEP conference, etc.and relevant thought leadership events or Mastercard annual learning events/ conferences.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in economic development or other relevant fields essential.

• At least 10-12 years of relevant international experience at senior management level, with experience of lead consortia management.

• Proven technical experience in market facilitation, youth development, livelihoods and/or agriculture and value chain programming.

• Previous experience in Uganda or East Africa.

• Complex program management and demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals.

• Exemplary communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.

• Proven complex budgeting and financial management skills.

• Demonstrable relationship management and partnerships skills with.

• Proficiency in Excel and other MS office suit applications.

Our package includes a competitive salary, shared accommodation, health and travel insurance and 20 days annual leave. Additional benefits are available after 12 months of service. Salary range for this role is € 45,000-52,000

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policyensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.

https://www.goalglobal.org/careers?gh_jid=1034871