Programme Lead, Uganda

Organizational Context

People-centred justice is the foundation of effective justice systems that aim to reduce barriers and improve the quality-of-service delivery for all, especially vulnerable groups. This type of justice is hinged on the perspectives, needs, strengths, and expectations of justice seekers, with deliberate effort invested in generating meaningful and sustainable justice outcomes. Although people-centred justice is a key priority in Uganda’s development framework, several bottlenecks continue to hinder its realisation.  

IDLO’s project aims to secure a just society and sustainable development through improved people-centred justice services in Uganda. The project targets families and households affected by GBV; refugees and; business enterprises. IDLO draws upon the expertise and resources of local partner organisations and state institutions to address critical challenges within Uganda's justice system and achieve lasting impact and sustainability focusing on three key areas:  

1. Improving justice service delivery for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors and their communities. 
2. Improving commercial and land justice services.
3. Ensuring that Refugees and Vulnerable host communities are self-reliant through improved legal protection by enhancing access to justice for refugees and host communities

The Position

The Department of Programmes is the central management and coordinating function for program delivery and capacity development.  It is responsible for the implementation of IDLO’s global program portfolio for field and non-field locations in line with organizational strategy.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager, the Programme Lead engages with internal and external functions to develop, implement, and manage large/innovative programs, including developing the design and management of the complete work and staffing plan and budget. The Programme Lead represents IDLO with Partners, IDLO HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors, experts, donors, and civil society.

Primary Functions:

Summary of Functions:

1. Oversee programme implementation and ensure that all project phases are consistent with the project design and delivery schedule and in line with IDLO processes and procedures.
2. Monitor programme activities to ensure programme compliance with donor contracts and procedures and that program cycle quality controls are in place.
3. Programme Development and Programme Representation.
4. Lead the programme team, ensuring effective, efficient, result-based and timely delivery of activities and results.
5. Economic Law and Governance

Key results expected

1. Oversee programme implementation, including work planning, implementation, budget management, monitoring, and reporting, and ensure that all phases of the project are consistent with the project design and delivery schedule and IDLO processes and procedures.

• Monitor programme implementation issues, including revisions to project design and work plans; make decisions for timely and optimal course corrections;
• Maintain oversight of the overall financial management and accurate financial forecasts, including reviewing financial reports, identifying areas of overspending or underspending, and flagging any urgent budgetary issues;
• Develop, review, and provide inputs to annual and quarterly reports; clear the submission of financial and narrative reports; highlighting the value and impact the program/activity brings;
• Design, research, draft, and edit legal working papers, memos, briefs, and other original materials in the field experience, and utilize these materials for the development of relevant outputs;
• Ensure programme deliverables meet quality standards and proactively seek input from relevant substantive internal experts.

2. Monitor programme activities to ensure programme compliance with donor contract as well as quality standards.

• Ensure compliance with programme contracts and subcontracts;
• Conduct research on legal, political, social, and economic events, trends, and/or developments relating to the programme; respond to internal and external requests for such research;
• Design, research, draft, and edit legal working papers, memos, briefs, and other original materials in the field experience, and utilize these materials for the development of relevant outputs;
• Ensure programme deliverables meet quality standards and proactively seek input from relevant substantive internal experts.

3. Programme Development and Programme Representation.

• Represent IDLO in programme events, and under the guidance of the supervisor, build relationships and liaise with donors, UN agencies, government institutions; CSO's and other stakeholders in the rule of law field through meetings and the preparation of reports and briefs;
• In coordination with the supervisor, generate ideas and identify new programme opportunities; provide substantive input in the development of proposals or concept notes aimed at innovatively expanding IDLO’s programme portfolio in line with country/regional/organizational strategies;
• Responsible for design of implementation plans by means of standardized programme cycle management tools, logic models and frameworks, work plans, monitoring reports, and others.

4. Lead the programme team ensuring effective, efficient, result-based and timely delivery of activities and results.    

• Effectively lead the team by providing clear direction, addressing development, and performance management through ongoing dialogue, and mentoring; fostering a teamwork approach in meeting objectives and goals; address possible conflicts in a positive and constructive manner; encourage initiative and maintain effective working relationships within a multi-cultural setting;
• Responsible for developing staffing plans, coordinating with Human Resources in the recruitment and selection of employees and consultants;
• Oversee the monitoring of contracts, responsible for providing recommendations on amendments and changes to contracts and status.

5. Economic Law and Governance

• Produce an assessment and mapping of priority governance support (thematic) areas for IDLO in Uganda, focusing on enhancing the responsiveness of justice systems and processes to achieve the objective of its Strategic Plan.
• Elaborate a framework for taking forward these support areas that is pragmatic and takes into account IDLO’s comparative advantages and its organizational/delivery set-up, including coordination with HQ, and other offices
• Support the Country Office in responding to the Justice Sector's demand for governance-related support linked to the provision of people-centered justice services in Uganda.
• Consolidate, adapt or develop new tools that will support the integration of governance in the justice sector support programs/projects design and Implementation of relevant policy and technical support to Uganda.
• Codify and aggregate lessons from the mainstreaming of governance into the Justice Sector and contribute to the development of the broader workstream on mainstreaming governance.
• Identify and strengthen partnerships to strengthen governance within the Justice Sector in all programming efforts at the Country level.
• Establish and strengthen partnerships and liaise with governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, donors, and agencies working on Governance within the Justice sector;
• Working closely with the Justice, Governance, and Accountability sector to enhance policy and legal review in Uganda.
• Based on the lessons from supporting governance in the Justice Sector, provide substantive inputs to the Implementation of the UCO implementation plan of the IDLO strategy. 

Academic qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Environment, Climate Change, social sciences, public administration, management, international relations, or any other relevant field.

Work experience

• Ten (10) years experience in the governance field, including country-level program design.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Specific knowledge, skills, and competencies

• Familiarity with standard program and data management tools, as well as results-based management and monitoring and evaluation principles;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT software and internet software;
• Works well with others and actively participates. Shares information, contributes, encourages and motivates others to become involved in team activities. Provides constructive feedback and willingly helps others. Contributes to a fair environment that fosters collaboration and cooperation.  Works effectively across and within IDLO organizational boundaries;
• Acts as a role model and offers guidance to colleagues. Takes initiative to share knowledge, experiences and information with others. Accepts and gives constructive feedback (up, down and across) to develop and motivate others;
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results;
• The ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, flexibility and an entrepreneurial spirit;
• Ability and willingness to travel to the region, if necessary;
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate. Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organization to achieve its objectives.

For this internationally recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate an Affiliate contract of 12 months, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding. 

IDLO shall also offer a yearly basic salary of USD 72,000  and a benefits package including provident fund contribution, medical and mission insurance, leave entitlements in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees.

Applications will be screened on regular basis; a qualified applicant might be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome applications of qualified and diverse candidates.

IDLO is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance at all levels within its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature; or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application deadline: 31 December 2024 2024 (23:59hrs Rome Time).