Initiative Manager – SHE SOARS | Join CARE International

Job Title: Initiative Manager – SHE SOARS

Location: Arua CARE Field Office, Uganda (20% time in Kampala)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: Gender Justice Program Manager

About CARE International

CARE International is a global leader in humanitarian and development efforts, committed to fighting global poverty and achieving social justice. Our mission is to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice by empowering women and girls to exercise their rights and reach their full potential.

Position Summary

CARE International is seeking an Initiative Manager for the SHE SOARS (Sexual and Reproductive Health & Economic Empowerment Supporting Out of School Adolescent Girls’ Rights and Skills) project. The SHE SOARS project aims to enhance the health-related rights and economic empowerment of extremely vulnerable and marginalized women and girls, particularly out-of-school adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.

The Initiative Manager (IM) will oversee the day-to-day management of the project, providing technical guidance and ensuring the timely and high-quality implementation of project activities. The IM will also ensure compliance with CARE International and donor regulations, manage financial resources, and foster relationships with key stakeholders at national and district levels.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Management and Technical Direction (30%)

• Develop and manage detailed yearly and quarterly implementation plans and budgets based on the project proposal.
• Oversee and monitor the implementation of project activities to ensure timely execution and adherence to budgets.
• Provide technical leadership for transformative activities focused on promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for out-of-school girls.
• Coordinate with the Finance Team for budget management, financial reporting, and pipeline projections.
• Prepare and manage procurement plans for goods and services as per CARE and donor policies.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between implementing partners, staff, and stakeholders.
• Build strategic relationships in the SRH sub-sector and ensure alignment with government and non-governmental partners.

2. Fundraising and Business Development (10%)

• Participate in assessments and studies to support resource mobilization efforts.
• Lead and contribute to proposal development processes, including writing and budgeting.
• Gather and share relevant data and reports to inform proposal development and fundraising.

3. Program Quality, Monitoring, and Reporting (30%)

• Establish and manage an effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system with SMART indicators.
• Ensure data collection is sex and age-disaggregated, focusing on gender-transformative outcomes.
• Train CARE and partner staff on M&E systems and tools.
• Lead baseline, midterm, and final evaluations to assess project progress and impact.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely donor reports, capturing challenges, lessons learned, and success stories.

4. Team Leadership and Capacity Building (10%)

• Directly supervise project staff, including performance management and professional development.
• Promote a culture of equity, inclusivity, and gender diversity within the team.
• Ensure all staff adhere to CARE’s safeguarding policies and code of conduct.
• Facilitate ongoing training and capacity-building for both CARE staff and implementing partners.

5. Strategic Positioning and Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

• Represent CARE in national and district-level meetings, ensuring visibility and strategic positioning.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with CARE Member Partners, government ministries, donors, CSOs, and private sector partners.
• Participate in program-level planning, review, and learning meetings to align with CARE Uganda’s business plan.

6. Other Duties (5%)

• Perform any additional tasks as assigned by the Gender Justice Program Manager to support CARE’s mission and project objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of project management experience, preferably in SRH, gender equality, or youth empowerment projects.
• Proven track record in managing donor-funded projects, including budget management and reporting.
• Experience working with international NGOs and in a multicultural environment.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of SRH programming, including comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and gender-transformative approaches.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English is required.
• Knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

Key Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide teams towards achieving project goals.
• Collaboration: Skilled in building partnerships and fostering teamwork.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align project activities with broader organizational goals.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Gender and Diversity: Commitment to gender equality and inclusion.

Work Conditions

• Based in Arua CARE Field Office with 20% travel to Kampala.
• Frequent travel to project sites for monitoring and stakeholder engagement.

How to Apply to this Job in Uganda

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the position to [insert application link/email]. Please include “Initiative Manager – SHE SOARS” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: [Insert Date]

CARE International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

For more information about CARE International and our work, please visit www.care.org.