Programmes Director (PD) - Open to Ugandan nationals Only.

Job Title: Programmes Director (PD) - Open only to Ugandan nationals.
Location: Kampala with regular travels to programme sites
Reports to: Country Director

Application Deadline: 3rd 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 

General Terms and Conditions

 At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please just contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@ug.goal.ie

GOAL Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We foster an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee on the basis of sex, race, colour, ethnic background, tribe, birth, creed or religion or social or economic standing, political opinion, disability.

Code of Conduct and Accountability within GOAL

GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has values and behaviours framework which defines our code of conduct. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability.

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, Code of Conduct, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults a must be safeguarded to the maximum extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

GOAL 

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency and works with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and overcome humanitarian crises, and to assist those facing poverty and exclusion achieve greater resilience and well-being. GOAL envisions a world beyond humanitarian crises where poverty no longer exists, where vulnerable communities exposed to shocks and stresses are resilient, where barriers to well-being are removed and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. 

General Description of the Country Programme 

First operational in Uganda in 1979, the current GOAL Uganda country programme focuses on Health, (including WASH, Health Accountability and Nutrition); and a market-based systems approach to improving agricultural livelihoods and WASH. GOAL Uganda mainstreams gender, child protection, social behavior changes and resilience strategies across all programming. GOAL uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with national and international civil society organizations, local government, the private sector and communities to give effect to our mission.  

GOAL Uganda has a skilled team of over 110 personnel and has a head office in Kampala and field offices in 7 locations across Northern, Southwestern and Eastern regions of Uganda.  GOAL Uganda’s donors include the Mastercard Foundation, charity: water, Irish Aid, The Kingdom of Netherland Embassy in Uganda (EKN) and other private donors.  

Interested applicants who meet the requirements should apply through the link with at least 3 professional referees (current or former Line Manager) from the last three employers and daytime contact number by 3rd July 2026.