With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities:

World Vision Uganda (WVU) is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization duly registered with the National NGO Bureau under the National NGO registration Act and operates under the governance of a well-respected Local Board. WVU started operations in Uganda in 1986 by responding to the needs of victims of the guerrilla war which ravaged the Luwero Triangle area of Central & Southern Uganda. WVU’s work significantly increased as the organization responded to conflict in Northern Uganda (1988-91), and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Southern Uganda in the early/mid 90s.

Today World Vision operates in over 53 districts in the country with the aim of ending poverty and injustice in communities through programming in the following focus areas; Health & Nutrition (including WASH), Resilience and Livelihoods, Education and Child Protection. Integrated advocacy and community empowerment are also fundamental components of WV’s programming philosophy in Uganda.

World Vision's key strategic approach is to empower communities to take charge of their own development. Today World Vision Uganda operates through 50Area Programs (APs) and a large Refugee Response program in the West Nile and South West regions of the country. Resources under management include an annual budget of circa US$ 60m (US$ 45m cash and US$ 15m WFP in-kind resources) and a staffing cadre of approximately 800 staff. Close to 150,000 registered children benefit through participation in World Vision Uganda’s Area Programs. In addition, WV Uganda provides lifesaving and life preserving services to approximately 800,000 refugees (mainly from South Sudan) on a monthly basis.

In October 20 21, World Vision Uganda commenced implementation of a new 5-year strategy (FY 21- FY25) with a goal to “contribute to the increased and sustained well-being of 5.2m Ugandan children, with a specific focus on the most vulnerable".

• Increase in children who are well nourished (0-5)

• Increase in children protected from infection and disease (0-5)

• Increase In Primary School Children Who Can Read

• Increase in children who have positive and peaceful relationships in their families and communities.

Through this strategy, WV aspires to a Uganda in which girls and boys are protected, cared for, participate and realize their full potential in their families and communities and; seeks to create an organization where staff engage effectively and efficiently with the highest level of accountability, commitment and passion for the wellbeing of children.

The Programmes Director position is therefore, a critical Senior Leadership Team (SLT) role in World Vision Uganda which is responsible for driving the strategy execution and reporting through Sponsorship, Private Non-Sponsorship and Grants resources.

Position:         Programmes Director

Report to:       National Director

Location:        Kampala - National Office

Application Deadline:       26th January 2024

Purpose of the position:

The World Vision Uganda Operations Director is responsible for all operational departments within the national program, including Regional Operations, Sectoral Programs, Technical Programs, Transformational Development, Disaster Management, Faith & Development, and Sponsorship Operations. The Programmes Director is responsible for an annual budget of approximately US$ 40 million, from at least 18 different donor sources, both government and non-government/private. The position directly supervises 8 staff and approximately 400 staff indirectly.

Key Outputs/Responsibilities.

Strategic Management

• Stay abreast of, analyse and advise the National Director on trends in programming, operational, country and donor environments to facilitate strategic decision making and planning.

• Provide leadership in the development, application and monitoring of strategies and plans, in alignment with WVU’s 5-year strategic plan and global “Our Promise” strategy framework.

• Ensure all Operations departments, programs and projects reflect WV’s Integrated Focus and Principle Level Choices, and support WV Ministry Objectives.

• Ensure rolling multi-year growth plans for APs and other programs are maintained, taking the lead in negotiations with WV Support Offices.

• Pursue strategically aligned and proactive resource acquisition in order to ensure program commitments can be fulfilled.

Programme Implementation, Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Build team unity through good collaboration. In particular build strong and trusting bridges between the Operations and Program Quality Divisions.

• Clear matrix relationships exist at National Office Operations Division and each Regional Office to promote strong collaboration, especially in implementation of Technical Programs.

• Develop and manage systems that ensure all programs are incorporating quality designs and achieve outputs that make a significant difference in the communities where WVU works.

• Ensure integration between projects and programs is made a priority at all levels within the Operations Division, and that the integration synergy is realized.

• Ensure all projects and programs integrate child well-being outcomes (CWBOs) and make a measurable contribution to child well-being.

• Ensure Project Managers are meeting the highest quality standards of grant management & compliance.

• Support/manage innovations and new initiatives in order to improve program quality and impact (enabling organizational learning and reflection).

Financial Management/Grant Management 

• Ensure financial management aligns with donor commitment and compliance expectations.

• Ensure all projects remain within budget, and also do not underspend more than 5%.

• Oversee Operations Division compliance with the Field Financial Manual (FFM), including ensuring proper accounting systems and practice.

• Ensure the provision of appropriate responses on all audit reports findings.

• Ensure that audit finding implementation plans are developed and effectively rolled-out.

• Ensure fraud related investigation reports are taken very seriously, with appropriate resulting actions based on a “zero tolerance” philosophy.

• Oversight of grant management unit, ensuring that effective finance management and accountability is applied to all grant funded projects. 

Team Leadership & Building a High Performance Team

• Build cooperation, team spirit and a supportive, learning environment within the Operations Division

• Ensure effective capacity building of Divisional staff (in line with 70/20/10 principles) in key programming areas (including LEAP and Technical Program requirements).

• In addition, actively work on leadership development through process of capacity building and coaching.

• Actively participate in development of key positions (JDs/Performance Agreements) and ensure top class recruitment is undertaken.

• Seek to build Operations Divisional team comprised of top-class actors performing at the highest level.

• Facilitate an appropriate environment for the spiritual formation of staff, including the embracing of WV’s Vision, Mission & Core Values.

• Participate in and lead where appropriate devotional meetings, weekly chapel, annual Day of Prayer and other events

External Stakeholders Relationship & Management

• Support the National Director in representing WV to donors, line ministries and partner organizations.

• Ensure that the communications and representation of WVU with WV Support Offices, international donor organizations, and major donors from and by Operations staff is of the highest quality and transparency.

• In coordination with the National Director, and programme staff, participate in national level coalitions on specific advocacy issues.

• Network with external agencies (donor agencies, govt. departments, SOs, IOs, other NGOs, etc.) in order to effectively represent WVU.

• Through oversight of grant management unit, proactively engage in donor relations. This will include addressing issues as they occur in order to retain donor confidence in WV.

• Encourage the full and appropriate external expression of WV’s Christian identity.

Internal Coordination/Contribution to Overall WVU Management

• Actively participate in the WVU Senior Leadership Team, board committees/main board meetings, and the Strategy Support Team (SST).

• Ensure strong collaboration between the Operations and Program Quality Divisions, as well as support functions such as Finance, Admin/Procurement, P&C, ICT, Communications and others.

• Ensure effective liaison with Vision Fund Uganda (VFU) and actively manage the integration of VFU microfinance services with WVU’s overall operations

Any other role as may be assigned by the supervisor due to changing context or business operation

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience.

• At least 15 years program management experience in an international development organization.

• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior NGO leadership role in a developing country.

• Previous experience working in East Africa, and/or experience working in World Vision. 

• Demonstrated experience in program or project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and report writing.

• Has successfully initiated & implemented significant organizational change.

• Experience in organizational representation with government, donor & International Organizations in order to strengthen relationships and nurture partnerships.

• Proven leadership ability, with excellent judgment and decision-making

• Demonstrated facilitation and collaboration skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent relational skills, especially in a cross-cultural environment, and ability to work well with national and international staff

• Ability to analyse and solve problems, innovate, persuade, network and negotiate.

• Programming knowledge of a specific WV ministry sector.

• Strong strategic and operational planning skills and ability to prioritise and handle multiple tasks. 

• Ability to work gracefully under pressure, while focusing on matters that are most important.

• Able to work as part of a team as a positive contributor/ encourager.

• Strong Christian commitment, spiritual maturity and discernment evidenced by life and character including active and regular fellowship with other Christians

• Master’s Degree in international development or relevant field such as social science, public health, or business administration.

• Certification in Project Management Courses will be an added advantage and extensive knowledge on NGO operations and donor projects management

• Periodic in-country, regional and international travel is required (not to exceed 30 % of the time).

• Fluency in English required.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only

How to apply:

• Register using the following link CLICK HERE