GOAL Uganda
Job Title: Programmes Director (PD) – Open only to Ugandan nationals.
Location: Kampala with regular travels to programme sites
Reports to: Country Director
Application Deadline: 10th July 2026
Job summary
The Programmes Director (PD) is responsible for the programme design, implementation and measurement across the entire country programme ensuring that country strategic objectives are met. Reporting to the Country Director, the PD is responsible for the oversight, management and capacity building of the programme team led by Team Leaders, Coordinators, and portfolio leads for each sector area of WASH, Health & Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihoods and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) including communications. As a key member of the senior management team, the PD will contribute to the overall risk management, strategy development and running of the country programme. Additional responsibilities include coordination with relevant national and district level authorities, UN agencies, other NGOs and donors.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
Essential Criteria
• A Master’s degree in international development, or Agriculture, Livelihoods, relevant discipline
• A minimum of ten years management experience in development and Humanitarian programmes
• Demonstrable ability to lead a team of technical and support staff overseeing a large and complex programme
• Strong demonstrable experience in all aspects of programme management including project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, financial management and the design/utilisation of appropriate project management tools, and the capacity to transfer this experience to others
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills with extensive experience mentoring staff
• Leadership style that supports, challenges and develops teams.
• Excellent communication, analysis and writing skills
• Experience and confidence in networking and external representation with donors, partners, other agencies and government officials
• Experience managing projects and programmes funded by major institutional donors and agencies as well as foundations
• Proven track record of successful proposal writing with major donors, and sound knowledge of donor practices and budget/financial control
Desirable Criteria
• Relevant experience in public health or similar discipline
• Experience leading multi-sector programmes that combine systems strengthening, market systems development and private sector engagement approaches.
• Experience managing complex partnerships and localisation initiatives.
The key responsibilities of the role will be:
Programme Strategy
• Provide strategic leadership in the areas of programme design, development, implementation and monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Understanding the needs, challenges and priorities of the current programme as well as understanding the next steps for the programme are key responsibilities
• Lead the development and implementation of the next Country Strategic Plan and ensure programming remains responsive to emerging opportunities, evidence, donor priorities and evolving national development needs.
• Support in implementation, review and monitoring of the Country Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 and Annual Country Plans.
• Develop and periodically review strategic plans for each of GOAL Uganda priority sectors to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, quality assurance and continual improvement throughout the country programme.
• Promote integration across GOAL Uganda’s health, nutrition, WASH, livelihoods, resilience and systems strengthening portfolios to maximise impact and organisational positioning.
Business Development
• Identify and lead strategic business development efforts, identifying and pursuing opportunities for portfolio growth and diversification in coordination with the Country Director and GOAL headquarters.
• Support the Country Director to build and maintain strategic relationships with donors, government stakeholders, private sector actors, research institutions and implementing partners to strengthen GOAL Uganda’s influence and positioning.
• Lead on proposal development from a programme perspective and coordinate and manage proposals, including proposal writing when needed
• Support the programme quality/MEAL/Comms team in the development of material for external and internal audiences, including project and programme capacity statements, learning and impact briefs, videos and press releases, with aim to promote visibility of GOAL and our supporters.
Programme Operational Management
• Ensure all GOAL Uganda programmes/projects are implemented to high-quality standards which are in line with GOAL Uganda Country Strategy Plan, GOAL Uganda sector strategies, relevant donor requirements, GOAL policies and procedures, international best practice and the Codes of Conduct and agreements to which GOAL is a signatory.
• Ensure emergency preparedness, response readiness and adaptive programming approaches are integrated across the country portfolio.
• Provide oversight and management of all programme / project implementation, including allocation of resources and ensuring that appropriate controls are maintained at all levels.
• Directly manage portfolio leads and work with technical project managers to ensure programmes are well designed, delivered on time and on budget, are appropriately monitored and evaluated and delivered as expected to our communities
• Ensure regular and appropriate forums for information exchange across and between portfolio areas, and effective grant and programme planning and management
Programme Quality and Reporting
• Work closely with the Head of MEAL to develop internal mechanisms for knowledge management to Improve the quality of services provided, through support supervision of key staff, analysis and dissemination of M&E data and lessons learnt, and review of GOAL and other best practice guidelines
• Support the development of appropriate M&E and programme management tools and systems
• Oversee preparation of monthly programme reports and required donor reports that are timely and meet GOAL and donor requirements.
• Travel frequently to all areas of operation to monitor implementation and ensure that beneficiaries, local authorities, and local staff are represented in programme planning and evaluation.
Financial management and accountability
• Ensure and support budget holders to complete regular budget reviews and forecasts and have the information required for accurate budget management and planning
• Assist where required with in-country donor financial audits
Networks and Partnerships
• Develop and maintain linkages and networks for learning, sharing and dissemination of lessons learnt
• Represent GOAL in liaison with Government partners, regional and local authorities; donors; local agencies etc. at all levels of project implementation
• Provide strategic oversight of partnership and localisation approaches, ensuring meaningful engagement, capacity strengthening and shared ownership with local actors.
People Management
• Provide managerial, technical, administrative and programmatic support to the portfolio leads, programme coordinators and senior programme staff in the country programmes
• Directly line manage Team Leads of INSPIRE, ASTYE Programmes, Head of MEAL, GESI Coordinator, WASH Coordinator and Health/Nut Manager, ensuring that all programme staff have clear job descriptions, annual objectives and regular performance reviews in place
• Support the development of in country expertise in each portfolio area and support a staff training and development agenda
