Program And Partnership Manager

Job Summary

The Program and Partnership Manager oversees in-country program design, budget execution, and donor compliance for Right To Play Uganda. This manager builds strategic partnerships with government agencies and CSOs, directs MEL quality assurance, leads project teams, and advocates for child-centered safeguarding standards.

Key Roles & Operational Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy & Operational Management (30%)

• Strategic Alignment: Direct the strategic planning, design, and execution of in-country education and protection programs aligned with children's needs, donor requirements, and country strategic targets.
• Operational Execution: Translate strategic frameworks into actionable operational plans and annual budgets. Guide teams through risk management, mitigation, and timely, high-quality program delivery.

2. Partnership Development & External Relations (30%)

• Institutional Partnerships: Build, manage, and nurture strategic relationships with government ministries, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community stakeholders.
• Organizational Representation: Represent Right To Play externally, expanding network reach, organizational visibility, and multi-stakeholder collaboration across Uganda.

3. Quality Assurance, MEL & Financial Governance (30%)

• MEL & Learning (15%): Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) practices across all projects. Embed reflection cycles, identify operational gaps, and utilize data to enhance program outcomes.
• Financial Management (15%): Oversee country program budgets, tracking expenditures against donor compliance guidelines in close coordination with the finance team.

4. Policy, Advocacy & Team Leadership (10%)

• Safeguarding & Policy: Drive policy implementation and advocacy for child-centered, gender-transformative, and safeguarding standards across all projects and partner agreements.
• Staff Leadership: Supervise, coach, and evaluate Project Managers and Officers, fostering a collaborative performance culture guided by Right To Play's Culture Code.

Foundational Capabilities & Prerequisites

Required Technical Profile & Experience

• Educational Baseline: Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a closely related discipline.
• International Development Experience: Ample professional experience managing international development programs and liaising directly with government officials, institutional partners, and major donors.
• Partnership & Proposal Expertise: Proven track record in project planning, grant proposal development, resource mobilization, donor reporting, and network management within the NGO sector.
• People Management: Demonstrated experience leading and coaching direct reports, remote project teams, and community volunteers.
• Language Proficiency: Complete written and oral fluency in English and local languages.
• Legal Eligibility: Must hold valid legal authorization to work in Uganda without requiring work visa sponsorship.

Core Competencies & Character Traits

• Collaboration & Communication: Clear communicator skilled at cross-functional influence and knowledge sharing.
• Growth Mindset: Dedicated to feedback, continuous learning, and innovative systems improvement.
• Resilience & Professionalism: Proven problem-solving ability under setback, combined with high integrity and child safeguarding ethics.

What Right To Play Offers

• Competitive Compensation: UGX 9,750,052 gross monthly salary + medical insurance (covering employee + up to 4 dependents), life insurance, group personal accident cover, and communications allowance.
• Generous Paid Leave: 21 days annual leave + 3 personal days + 5 dedicated Learning & Development (L&D) days per year.
• Vibrant Culture: Work within a global culture built on accepting everyone, making things happen, displaying courage, demonstrating care, and being playful.

Skills Required:

• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development