Job Title: Area Programme Manager (APM)
Organisation: SOS Children’s Villages
Duty Station: Mayuge, Uganda
About Organisation:
SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, locally registered, child-focused, social development non- governmental organization with a strong reputation for providing quality care and protection, education and health needs for children without or at risk of losing parental care. Since its inception in 1991, SOS CV Uganda has reached over 100,000 children, youths and adults directly and indirectly to become empowered and self-reliant to contribute significantly to the needs of their families and communities. The organisation has the commendable experience working in partnership with a number of donors, (institutional and corporate agencies) including; Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), Austrian Development Corporation (ADC), Grieg Foundation, ERIKS Development Partner, USAID/Bantwana World Education, European Union, AVIS Foundation, Brand Charity, USAID/Uganda Private Health Support Program (UPHSP), Terre des Hommes (TDH), Stanbic Bank Uganda, DHL–Go Teach, Madhvani Group of Companies.
Job Summary: The Area Programme Manager (APM) provides strategic and programmatic leadership for Family Strengthening (FS), and all other programmes within the area. The APM ensures that the organisation delivers on its strategic goals to support the most vulnerable children, families, and communities.
Working collaboratively with the National Director, Head of Programmes, and National Office Department Heads, the APM harmonizes all programmes at the location – including Family Strengthening, and other donor- or government-funded projects to ensure high-quality service delivery.
As a member of the National Management Team, the APM contributes significantly to the development and implementation of SOS Children’s Villages’ strategy and the achievement of its organizational objectives.
Crucially, the APM is also responsible for ensuring holistic safeguarding in the area, including child safeguarding, adult safeguarding, and the safeguarding of organisational resources.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide Leadership and Strategic Management at SOS CV Mayuge Field Office
- Demonstrate inspiring leadership in promoting the values, the vision, mission, values and goals of MA programmes; and ensure that project implementation at location-level is in line with SOS CV National Office Strategic plan, policies, standards and procedures.
- Steer location management team while ensuring proper coordination and supervision in all areas of operations at location level to ensure all staff are committed to attaining the mission and vision of the organization
- Drive forward Alternative Care, FS and all other programme strategies that embody the values, vision, mission and objectives of SOS CV.
- Ensure there is a shared understanding of all projects at the location with a drive towards excellence within all areas of the programmes through conducting regular reviews during implementation.
- Act as a representative of the National Director at the location and within the programme location at large.
Programmes / Projects Planning, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
- In collaboration with Head of Programmes, the National MEAL Coordinator and M&E Officer at the location, ensure there are robust systems in place to plan and deliver projects according to RBM approach (from design, during implementation, and evaluation of projects).
- Focus on quality in every area of work by effectively managing internal performance systems using RBM approach in accordance SOS policies, standards and procedures.
- Coordinate and provide technical support to Coordinators and Officers to ensure quality design and implementation of programmes / projects, including the provision of appropriate tools and methods, scope, context and requirements of all programmes at location.
- Facilitate monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual monitoring and review meetings to discuss progress against planned targets with each line reporting Coordinator or Officer, reviewing areas of success and weakness, and areas requiring further support and training; and make appropriate recommendations to the Head of Programmes and National Director.
- Liaise with the National MEAL Coordinator and M&E Officer to conduct an impact assessment of programmes annually.
- Responsible for submitting timely and quality monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual progress narrative reports to the Head of Programmes, National Director, partners and donors.
- In conjunction with Institutional Partnership Development Manager and Head of Programmes, support / participate in concept and proposal development.
- Ensure capacity building for the programme staff at the location on project cycle management.
Financial and Grants Management
- Ensure SOS Finance Policy and donors grant guidelines are adhered to and the Head of Finance (HoF) is supported to hold all staff accountable for expenditure and financial reporting for programme / project.
- In conjunction with the location accountant, ensure that established policies and procedures on finance, grants, and programmes are understood by staff, implemented and regularly reviewed.
- In conjunction with HoF, ensure that there is a robust internal control system, including sound policies and procedures that safeguard staff and the assets of the organization and funding partners, and that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.
- Develop and monitor grant projects / agreements and sub-agreements with project partners.
- Work with location accountant and other programme staff and take the lead in the formulation and development of location budgets for all funded projects including quarterly performance
Building and Nurturing Partnerships reviews.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with the community, government, and local authorities to develop appropriate partnerships and networks.
- Maintain relationships with all current and potential SOS donors, NGOs and government networks dealing with children to create a network for resource mobilization, joint activity implementation, peer learning, and experience sharing.
- Participate in national and district activities / forums dealing with issues affecting children and advocate for children’s rights
- Develop a mechanism to obtain feedback on SOS programmes / projects from SOS team, partners, donors and community and make recommendations or take corrective actions.
- Represents the National Director at donors and partners meetings, conferences and other networking opportunities within the area of operation.
- Establish, develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders in the area along the line of programme delivery strategy.
- Development of the SOS Families and other forms of care
- Leads the overall development of children and youth and ensures their individual needs and rights are identified, respected, protected and addressed.
- Implements Alternative Care programmes in accordance with standard SOS and national policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Guides and supports care professionals on a daily basis to ensure effective and efficient delivery of Alternative Care intervention for children and young people.
- Regularly sensitizes staff on the SOS principles, history, vision, mission and values.
- Spends quality time with families of children and young people under care.
- Provides psychosocial counselling to alternative care staff, children and young people with PSS issues to enhance their holistic wellbeing and performance levels.
- Provides close supervision of caregivers to ensure quality services are provided to the children
Responsibility for Children and Youth Development
- with regard to feeding, health and that all family interactions do no harm to the children.
- Reviews all child and youth development plans, at least once a year, to keep up to date with the developmental needs of each individual.
- Monitors and reviews each child’s progress to ensure that their educational needs and abilities are addressed.
- Works in cooperation with pedagogical staff to plan educational programs geared to the individual needs of each child and conducts regular reviews of such programs.
- Visits schools attended by children and youth under care, seeking feedback on their school performance and progress from school managers.
- Creates a stimulating learning environment in conjunction with the Education Programme Officer and Youth Care Co-Workers to promote education and encourage academic excellence of children and youths.
- Supervises and supports the Education Programme Officer and Youth Care Co-Workers to ensure implementation of holiday and individual youth personal programs, to prevent idleness and monotony.
- Facilitates cultural and recreational activities to educate the children in local cultures and customs.
- Supports the MA Child Safeguarding Coordinator on information and other specialized reports on Alternative Care as shall be required.
Human Resource Management and Organisational Development
- Works with HHROD to ensure a conducive and safe working environment.
- Ensure appropriate, trained or skilled and motivated staffing for the location.
- Ensure that all staff understand and adhere to the HR Policy, Code of Conduct, Employment SOS guidelines.
- Act, Child Safeguarding Policy, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Finance Policy, and other
- Support HHROD to review and implement staff development in a bid to enhance productivity.
- Ensure that all staff participate in bi-annual and annual appraisals.
Safeguarding (Child Safeguarding, PSHEA and Financial Resources Safeguarding)
- Ensure that key stakeholders, including staff and Key Implementing Partners are made aware of safeguarding measures and are supported in implementing them.
- Ensure that safeguarding is integrated in all management processes including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, team meetings, annual planning process, field-level monitoring, IWP, IDP, performance agreements, etc.
- Create and maintain a managerial and operational environment where the safeguarding measures are effectively implemented.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Must hold a Master’s degree in Community/Organizational Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Development Studies, or a related field, with over 5 years of strategic experience in community development, including child protection, gender equality, parenting, and family strengthening.
- Must demonstrate a strong ability to lead and influence multi-sectoral partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), local partners, and District Local Governments.
- Proven expertise in capacity building, project design and management, proposal development, and advancing the child protection and GBV prevention agenda – particularly through the successful implementation of the Parenting for Respectability model and gender-focused programming at both community and policy levels.
How to Apply:
If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, please send your application letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV), and photocopies of academic certificates, and names and contact details of three traceable referees to the address:
All Applications must be sent electronically as one Single PDF Document not exceeding eight pages to: [email protected]
Subject Line: Indicate the Position and Location
- Include in your application letter:
- Gross salary request.
- Contact details (email and phone) of three professional referees.
Note:
Late applications or those submitted as images will be disqualified. If you do not hear from SOS Uganda by 28th February 2025, consider your application unsuccessful.
For assistance in preparing your CV or cover letter, feel free to reach out!
Deadline: 11th July 2025
For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60