Programme Manager (3 positions)

Background of the DGF

The Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) is a multi-donor funding mechanism aimed at strengthening governance, promoting and protecting human rights, enhancing access to justice, and improving accountability in Uganda by working with state and non-state institutions at national, regional and district levels throughout the country. It is funded by Austria, Denmark, European Union, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Read more about DGF here: www.dgf.ug.

Job Title: 

1. Programme Manager –  Sphere 2: Citizen empowerment, engagement and accountability (1 position – job ID XXXX)
2. Programme Manager – Sphere 3: Upholding human rights, access to justice & gender equality (2 positions – job ID XXXX)

Duty Station: Democratic Governance Facility Management Unit (FMU) in Kampala.
 

Main purpose

All 3 positions aim to strengthen the impact of our work through effective and results-based programme management. We are looking for competent programme managers that can add value to the areas of interventions that guide the work of our implementing partners. 

For sphere 2, the aim is to empower and build the capacity of citizens and civil society so that they actively and effectively take part in decision-making and planning, and enhance government accountability leading to improvement in services and better government performance overall. The areas of interventions for this sphere are: strengthening citizen engagement for government accountability; strengthening citizen engagement for natural resource governance; improving access to information, and civic (and voter) education; strengthening youth and women participation and representation; and improving civil society health.

For sphere 3, the aim is to advocate for the implementation of existing human rights and gender equality frameworks and needed legislative reforms; and strengthening the capacity of rights holders especially in the marginalized regions and for marginalized groups of Uganda, and assist duty bearers in fulfilling their obligations to ensuring human rights, gender equality and access to justice. The areas of intervention for this sphere are: upholding human rights; improving access to justice and transitional justice for the poor and vulnerable groups addressing violence, torture and impunity; and upholding pro-gender equality legislation.

Programme managers play a key role in fulfilling these aims and delivering results that benefit the people of Uganda. Programme managers help analyse context and identify areas for support, review project proposals, monitor partner project implementation, and provide technical support and quality assurance to implementing partners. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Support ongoing contextual analysis of local, national and international key developments in the respective Areas of Interventions (AoIs) and recommend practices to be adopted.
2. Participate in designing calls for proposals, reviewing the submitted proposals and budgets; and select competent partners for funding, in line with DGF terms and conditions.
3. Receive record and review partner narrative and financial reports to ensure compliance to DGF partner financial guidelines; provide feedback to partners regarding the performance of their projects; and oversee disbursements of funds to partners.
4. Receive, review and monitor partner work plans and budgets and ensure compliance to DGF financial and programmatic guidelines.  
5. Monitor and evaluate partner project implementation and provide technical guidance and quality assurance to partners regarding implementation of the projects.
6. Conduct partner needs assessments and design strategies for building the capacity of partners in the relevant thematic area.
7. Provide advice and updates to the Sphere Management on project implementation and direction.
8. Build and maintain functional working relationships with key stakeholders including state and non-state partners. 
9. Prepare annual and quarterly work plans for the respective AoIs and report on performance in line with the DGF Results Framework.
10. Document and keep track of the performance, achievements and results of partners in the respective AoIs; and prepare periodic reports to DGF on the performance, achievements and results of partners in the AoIs.
11. Ensure continuous reflection and learning amongst partners; and support identification of needs and learning amongst DGF partners across all the spheres of DGF.

Professional Specifications

1. A university degree in a relevant subject (public administration, political science, social science, development studies or related area). An advanced degree (master level) preferred.
2. Minimum of five years’ experience working in a project management role for government/ state institutions or civil society organisations. Experience in that role overseeing or managing sub-grants to partners is preferred.
3. Experience in the area of democratic governance, with demonstrated background and technical expertise in one or more of the DGF spheres/Areas of Interventions of DGF (Sphere 2 and Sphere 3)
   • For Sphere 2:  Experience in accountability (social accountability, anti-corruption, natural resource governance) is preferred. Additional experience specifically in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: civic education, media support, access to information.
   • For Sphere 3: Experience human rights and/or access to justice is preferred. Additional experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: transitional justice, pro-gender equality legislation, conflict prevention.
4. Competencies in result based management, programme and budget design and implementation, capacity development/ organizational development. Experiences in Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation and other methodologies for programming is an asset.  

Additionally, successful candidate must demonstrate:

1. Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
2. Ability to manage multiple priorities.
3. High integrity and honesty.
4. Systematic and structured approach to work.
5. Ability to work well under pressure and deliver results with minimum supervision.
6. Attention to detail and ability to produce high quality work.
7. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.