Head of Programs Uganda

ForAfrika is an African-rooted, globally connected organisation dedicated to empowering communities across the continent through sustainable development and humanitarian aid. With over 40 years of operational experience, ForAfrika works in environments that vary from emergency relief settings to long-term development, ensuring that every initiative is contextually aligned with the needs of the people it serves. Through a deep love for Africa and unwavering commitment, ForAfrika delivers programmes that transform lives by embracing an integrated approach to development. This includes enhancing education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, food security and livelihoods, economic empowerment, and more, building environments where all Africans can thrive. Position Summary Reporting to the Country Director, the Head of Programs is responsible for developing operational relationships with communities, government, donors and other strategic partners and the delivery of projects in line with the overall country strategy. In addition, the role will significantly bring on board business development skills and capacity to contribute to the ambitious business development efforts of the country. S/he will keep abreast of the country priority development areas and ensure that the country strategy addresses them so that ForAfrika Uganda program remains relevant to the needs of target populations. The Head of Programs will ensure that ForAfrika is represented in key sub-national and national fora. The Uganda Country office is undergoing operational and structural alignment, aimed at repositioning the country office to tap into growth opportunities to achieve the ForAfrika vision. The position of the HOP has been reviewed to suit the current demands of the desired future. As a key member of the senior management team, the HOP will play a critical role in contributing to expanding funding portfolio, while supporting ForAfrika Business development efforts in Uganda. The HOP is responsible for quality management, supporting in designing monitoring and compliance mechanisms to improve systems and procedures, sound design (and oversight) of M&E, periodic analysis of the projects’ performance, and ensuring that information collected is reflected upon and used to improve business delivery. Key Roles and Responsibilities 1.Designing quality and innovative programs: (15% of effort) -Maintain an excellent knowledge and awareness of humanitarian and development contexts in the country and be able to identify opportunities for new funding and partnerships. -Lead the development of high-quality project designs and proposals. This entails identifying partners, contributing to writing of the technical approach by providing field-level insights and managing the overall proposal process at country level. -Coordinate closely with Finance team to ensure proposal budgeting and all necessary costs are correctly incorporated in a manner that meets the ForAfrika cost recovery policy and donor thresholds. -Substantively contribute to operational planning for emergency preparedness and response, and hazard mitigation / disaster risk reduction initiatives. -Transfer knowledge on program design (including log frames and M&E plans) to ForAfrika team and partners, incorporating best practices proposals and on-going project implementation approach. 2.Business Development (25% of effort) -In collaboration with the Country Director, and the Business Development team, contribute to cultivating external partnerships that facilitate revenue generation opportunities. -Contribute to identifying and cultivating relationships with government representatives, key institutional donors, local and external partners, in collaboration with the Country Director. -Contribute to maintaining an up-to-date record of the requirements and conditions of current and potential donors. - Build the capacity of the subordinates to improve on success rate of applications, as well as compliance during implementation. -Contribute to maintaining an up-to-date list or tracker of the funding pipeline/opportunities and a well-organized database of project designs, proposals, concept notes and ‘pitching documents’ that can be easily accessed and shared whenever required. -In consultation with the Country Director, lead the development and implementation of the Country Strategic plan that includes business development planning. -In consultation with the Country Director, lead the exploration of new business opportunities, non-traditional funding models, innovative growth strategies to expand the ForAfrika influence in country. 3.Program Delivery (30% of effort) -Ensure that program and project activities outlined in donor contracts are effectively implemented in a timely manner, meeting set targets within the proposed budgets and in accordance with contractual obligations (including visibility and communications); -Develop annual program operating plans for the Country Office, based on ForAfrika strategy, annual needs and context analysis. Is overall responsible for the planning and timely implementation of all activities ensuring adherence to ForAfrika and donor policies and procedures. -Establish effective systems to ensure timely and accurate reporting to donors, support the program staff in understanding donor requirements and ensure reports are in the correct format, and editing/reviews have been duly completed. -Lead periodic program reviews and evaluations to ensure systematic documentation of best practices (or promising practices) and lessons learned. -Undertake regular field visits to project sites to monitor, evaluate and oversee the activities implemented by staff and provide on-spot support and take or recommend remedial measures where necessary. -Provide the Country Director and SMT with regular reporting on the Country Office program dashboard indicators for program quality (performance) and implement appropriate improvement or remedial plans. -Work closely with the Head of Finance at the Country Office to ensure effective management of project budgets in compliance with ForAfrika and donor policies and procedures; Regularly review projects’ monthly expenditure and take corrective action relating to underspends or overspending. -Coordinate with the Head of Shared Services (procurement, logistics, IT, security, administration, and human resources teams) to ensure operational systems always support the field activities effectively. 4.Coordination and representation (10% of effort) -Ensure strong internal communication between the Country Office and the GSO Technical Unit and Business Development Unit, exhibiting a high sense of responsiveness and feedback. -Develop close relationships with donor representatives, particularly those that are field-based, maintaining sound on-going relationships i.e. soliciting and providing feedback and exploring opportunities for growth and deepening their engagement with For Afrika; -Represent the organization in relevant interagency coordination and representational meetings and Technical Working Groups. Establish and maintain good working relations with external agencies and sub-national and local government offices. -Identify concerns and gaps in service provision to communities and proactively refer those concerns and gaps to relevant forums and advocate with the authorities or humanitarian partners in accordance with ForAfrika strategy and principles. 5.Program integration and accountability to affected populations (10% of effort) -Promote, track and report integration, sequencing, layering and cross-linkage among the various program sectors in a manner that the communities' benefit from comprehensive services. -Ensure that project work is carried out in a way that is sensitive to community needs, in particular, to promote gender issues, protection, accountability to affected populations and participation of all community segments in an inclusive manner. -Regularly check on the complaints/feedback handling to ensure Community Feedback Mechanism guidelines are followed with respect to documentation, referrals, reporting pathways, and feedback loop. -Ensure staff understand and adhere to ForAfrika Code of Conduct and all policies governing appropriate humanitarian behavior and conduct (especially Child Protection and Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse - PSEA -Participate in departmental planning and reviews, taskforce assignments and other organizational events. 6.Human resource management (10% of effort) -Work with HR to ensure staff positions are fully budgeted for and are filled at all times with competent staff. -Provide day-to-day leadership and management of direct reports and other program staff, ensuring positive and collaborative working relationships in line with ForAfrika Code of Conduct, leading performance planning and evaluation process. -Support and encourage appropriate personal and professional development of staff within the context of the organization’s objectives, creating and nurturing an environment that supports high performance, learning and teamwork. -Manage security of field staff and assets through the development and implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures in line with ForAfrika International Security Policy. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1.A Masters’ degree in a relevant field (International Development, Project Management, Social Sciences or any one of ForAfrika programming areas – Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, Environment, Public Health, etc.); 2.The ideal candidate is a results-focused professional with vision and an entrepreneurial spirit. We’re looking for someone open-minded, self-driven and passionate about creating change and who understands lean start-up approaches. 3.A very good knowledge of humanitarian issues and trends, coupled with interest and ability to analyze impact and opportunities of unfolding events, particularly related to humanitarian needs and donor funding in Uganda. 4.Proven experience and strong knowledge (breadth and depth) of various technical sectors of development such as food security/livelihoods, WASH, nutrition, humanitarian protection and emergency response. 5.Ability to engage at a strategic level with bilateral and multilateral donors, Governments and other NGOs. Demonstrated track record in successful proposal development and donor relations for major institutional donors; Excellent presentation and communication skills, experienced networker with ability to develop strategic partnerships for enhanced funding. 6.Demonstrated project management experience, with strong understanding of quality frameworks and M&E systems, acquired through a minimum of seven years of hands-on project management experience. Must demonstrate clear ability to operationalize and oversee the execution of work plans, matched with budget and timelines. 7.Leadership capabilities that includes coaching staff to high level of performance; strong organization and delegation abilities; high performance and quality standards; good negotiation skills. 8.Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure and work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office. 9.Commitment to a positive work environment in compliance with ForAfrika Core Values, Code of Conduct, PSEA and other humanitarian accountability obligations.

Please click[ HERE ](https://forms.office.com/r/e7nC4u3QMA)to apply on or before 11th September 2025. Please note that due to the large volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.