Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda is seeking to fill the position of Head of Programmes at the Country Secretariat Office in Kampala – Uganda.
As part of a strong Regional network of over 220 civil Society organizations spread out in 12 countries in East, Central and Southern Africa. PELUM Uganda works to improve the livelihoods of small holder farmers and the sustainability of farming communities by fostering ecological land use management. Since 1995, PELUM Uganda has been sharing skills and knowledge about ecological Land use practices and techniques working with a broad network of likeminded organizations; undertaking research and demonstration projects, and advocating for policies that better support small holder farmers with a vision of empowering communities in Uganda to sustainably utilize their natural resources.
Suitable Candidates who possess the credentials below are therefore encouraged to apply.
Job Title: Head of Programmes
Relationships:
| Reports to: Country Coordinator
Responsible for: Programme Manager(s) and hosted Project lead Other key relationships: § Support All Programme Managers, Officers & Colleagues within PELUM Uganda § External relations Beneficiaries/clients, Members, Civil Society/ Private Sector, Development Partners and Government |
Job Purpose
This job exists in PELUM Uganda to provide overall strategic leadership, coordination, direction and management of PELUM Uganda’s programmes in all the thematic areas and ensure their alignment with PELUM Uganda’s strategic plan and policies so as to realise PELUM Uganda’s goal.
Job Summary
The Head of Programmes is a senior management position in the organisation, and a member of PELUM Uganda Management Team. S/he is responsible for overall program cycle support: including, formulation, implementation, financial and quality compliance. In addition, during the transition period, you will be responsible for providing leadership to the development and implementation of projects in Programme Quality and Delivery Domain of change.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Programme Planning, development and implementation
- Provide leadership to the development and implementation of the programmes and projects.
- Undertake timely review of the Strategic plan and programmes ensuring continued relevance in the changing environment.
- Coordinate the development and implementation of PELUM Uganda’s annual and quarterly work plans and related reviews.
- Ensure preparation of periodic programme reports to decision making organs.
- Ensure programme activities are implemented in compliance with agreed guidelines.
- Ensure programme activities and deliverables meet quality standards and proactively seek input from relevant substantive internal and external experts.
- Initiate new / update concept notes, curricula and materials, programme documents and budgets.
- Scrutinize activity plans to ensure gender responsiveness, alignment to project documents, PELUM’s strategic plan and policies.
- Ensure regular programme development and approval of activity schedules.
- Convene regular programme planning and review meetings as appropriate.
- Oversee research agendas and ensure findings inform programme designs.
- Organise reflection and learning forums to enable staff to share experiences from programme implementation and draw lessons from successes and failures.
- Coordinate project inceptions in collaboration with the respective programme teams to ensure good understanding of new projects by the team and other stakeholders.
- Human Resource Management
- Ensure human resources are efficiently deployed productively in the programmes.
- Provide support supervision and mentorship to Programme Manager(s), hosted project leads and appraise them.
- Oversee that Programme Manager(s) provide support and execute appraisals of Programme Officers and other staff who report to them.
- Provide technical guidance and methodological support to all programme staff.
- Participate in the review of human resource policies and plans.
- Identify the programme related human resource capacity needs and competencies and address them in collaboration with the staff responsible for Human Resource Officer and Country Coordinator.
- Participate in the recruitment and induction of Programme staff and technical volunteers as required.
- Review and approve programme staff annual performance targets and monthly timesheets in close collaboration with the Human Resource Lead.
- Resource Mobilisation and Grant Management
- Support the development of the Resource Mobilisation Strategy.
- Develop annual grant tracker and monitor them and ensure timely deliverables.
- Keep abreast of the trends within the donor environment in the country and internationally, in close collaboration with the Country Coordinator.
- Identify existing and potential funding opportunities.
- Provide technical support and guidance to proposal development, undertake fundraising activities.
- Undertake local and international fundraising initiatives.
- Facilitate donor visits and assessments as necessary.
- Coordinate narrative donor reporting in line with donor requirements and in a timely manner.
- Prepare periodic briefings/status updates on programmes for funding partners, Country Board through the Country Coordinator.
- Financial Management
- Ensure financial resources are efficiently deployed including vetting of all programme staff requisitions and expenditures.
- Ensure timely accounting for all resources deployed under his/her supervision in collaboration with Finance and Administration Manager.
- Manage project budgets, check and ensure that activities are implemented according to approved budgets, and in a cost-effective manner.
- Signatory to PELUM Uganda’s bank accounts and authorize all programme related payments.
- Support to Management Function
- Prepare and share quarterly narrative reports and annual plans with the Country Board (CB), Programmes, Management and Governance Subcommittee.
- Participate in the development of PELUM Uganda policies.
- Provide technical advice to the Country Coordinator on programme issues.
- Represent Country Coordinator at key events in Absenture and deputising the Country Coordinator.
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Oversee programme M&E and use the results to enforce remedial action and inform further programme planning.
- Use M&E Reports to share findings with programme and management team to guide strategic decision making.
- Coordinate periodic reviews of the strategic plan and evaluations for the projects in collaboration with the Country Coordinator and the Programme Manager Knowledge Management.
- Representation, networking and partnerships
Coordinate and periodically review all partnership activities within PELUM Uganda.
Develop Partnership strategy in liaison with the Advocacy Manager and in line with the Partnership policy.
Ensure strategic alliances and partnerships are established and maintained to provide a wider platform to advocate for PELUM Uganda’s issues of interest.
Representation of PELUM Uganda in strategic partnership meetings and at key national, regional and international events.
Ensure that PELUM Uganda’s best practices are marketed at local, national and international forums.
Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and government authorities to enhance collaboration and networking.
- Strategic Leadership to Programme Quality and Delivery – (PQD)
Spearhead programme planning, provide technical guidance and ensure efficient and effective implementation of all PQD program management cycle support.
Participate in strategic review of the strategic plan and PQD programmes to ensure their continued relevance in a changing environment.
Spearhead development and execution of research agenda for the PQD programme.
Spearhead the development of PQD models /methodologies and oversee their application (including initial capacity building and customization of models/ methodologies).
Oversee capacity building activities including member selection process, resource persons and content development.
Spearhead and direct the technical aspects of the project proposal development process for the PQD programme and identify potential funders.
Ensure that resources under the department’s care are properly deployed and utilised.
Oversee and review periodic reports for the PQD programme
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships relevant for the PQD programme.
Participate in the selection, recruitment and induction of PQD Programme staff and provide support supervision, set targets, regularly appraise and give feedback.
In addition to individual respective tasks, all PELUM Uganda employees are expected:
To adhere to our organizational values and to actively promote their application amongst colleagues.
To undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative fashion.
Participate in relevant organisational, meetings and fora.
Participate in raising resources for building PELUM Uganda’s reserves.
Ensure that all activities are implemented in a gender sensitive manner.
Adhere to PELUM Uganda’s policies, procedures, and performance expectations in all functions.
To identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization (whether directly linked to one’s job or not).
Any other duty as may be assigned by the supervisor.
The attainment of the above will be reflected in the employee’s appraisal, as well as the achievement of outputs, as described in above key responsibilities.
Person Specifications
Education
Minimum of a master’s degree in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agroecology, Environmental management, Social Sciences, Development Studies or any related field + Diploma in Project Planning and Management is desirable.
Technical Skills
Ability to mobilize and utilize resources, Knowledge of Agroecology, market business development and advocacy. Knowledge of Project Planning and Implementation.
Industry experience
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing projects, management level in leadership roles within CSOs. Good knowledge and understanding of the agricultural sector. Solid experience of managing grants. Experience in working with an international/interdisciplinary team.
Management skills
Strong experience in leading and managing projects. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various internal and external stakeholders. Team player with positive attitude, flexible mind, and good coaching and motivational skills. Ability to inspire confidence and create trust. Strong coaching skills.
Personal qualities
Proactive. Continuous improvement mindset. Excellent analytical, and problem-solving skills. Open to change and ability to work in a growing complex organizational structure. Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to work. Paying attention to details. Able to multitask. Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively and delegate.
Communication and Interpersonal skills
Ability to understand new issues quickly and make wise decisions. Ability to provide effective feedback. Comfortable working in multi-cultural settings. Strong Writing skills. Effective interpersonal skills to work with colleagues, stakeholders and donors. Proven negotiation skills.
Applications Procedure:
If you believe you have the requisite qualifications for the position, please tender in your expression of interest/cover letter highlighting your suitability for the position, CV, Copies of relevant certificates, testimonials and contacts of 3 referees addressed to:
The Country Coordinator,
PELUM Uganda Country Board,
Plot 37/37A Martyrs Way Ntinda
P.O Box, 35804, Kampala.
Applications should also be sent via email to [email protected], copy [email protected]. The Deadline for submission is 11th October, 2024 at 05:00pm EAT.
Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
