Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
Organization: Save the Children International
Location: Gulu, Uganda
Job Type: Full Time
Department/Category: Programme / Administrative
About Save the Children
Save the Children International is committed to creating lasting change for children by strengthening communities, influencing policies, and delivering innovative programmes across diverse contexts.
Join Save the Children to:
Be part of a global and diverse technical community.
Gain exposure to different programme contexts.
Test and scale innovative solutions.
Influence policies that affect millions of children.
About the Role
The Programme Officer – Climate Adaptive Programming will provide technical oversight for the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation component under the NORAD framework.
The role will ensure that effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming and that climate change adaptation and mitigation activities achieve their intended impact.
The Programme Officer will facilitate the implementation of a multi-sectoral, integrated resilience and climate change adaptation programme in either Karamoja or Northern Uganda, working closely with District Local Governments (DLGs), communities, partners and other stakeholders.
The position will provide technical guidance on integrating:
Climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Resilience building.
Productive safety nets.
Disaster-risk reduction.
Emergency preparedness.
Education.
Child protection.
Child rights programming.
The role will also strengthen coordination with communities, District Local Governments, development partners and other Save the Children programmes to create synergies and maximize programme impact.
The post holder may also be called upon to support the emergency team during humanitarian crises when required.
Key Areas of Responsibility
1. Planning and Programme Development
Develop monthly and quarterly climate change work plans aligned with the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and approved budgets.
Lead planning at community and district levels, ensuring effective resource tracking and utilization throughout the project cycle.
Participate in programme planning and ensure effective integration of climate adaptation and mitigation activities.
Work closely with Education and Child Protection teams to ensure climate-related interventions are coordinated and implemented holistically.
Support education, training and public awareness initiatives on climate change.
Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditure in line with financial plans and approved budgets.
Support the integration of climate risk management into NORAD framework documents.
Help introduce and roll out new climate change initiatives and innovations with staff, communities and partners.
2. Programme Implementation
Provide technical guidance and support for the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
Ensure planned activities are implemented fully, on time and in accordance with approved project proposals, Save the Children policies and operational guidelines.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with relevant national, regional and international organizations, institutions and agencies.
Identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Provide technical assistance and capacity strengthening to staff and partner organizations.
Develop and foster local partnerships that contribute to programme objectives.
Ensure meaningful participation of beneficiaries and stakeholders throughout assessment, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and transition.
Monitor project partners and ensure timely delivery of planned activities.
Support project sustainability and implementation of exit strategies.
Regularly monitor programme activities against quality benchmarks outlined in the MEAL plan.
Participate in programme reviews and contribute to intervention design.
Organize and participate in programme meetings to strengthen collaboration and synergy.
Review and provide input into programme reports, briefs and other documentation.
3. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Support implementation of the organization's accountability and learning framework.
Participate in maintaining monthly activity target trackers and quarterly Indicator Performance Tracking Tables.
Identify capacity-building needs and follow up on agreed action plans.
Document best practices, success stories and significant programme experiences.
Support proper documentation of case studies, innovations and lessons learned.
Prepare monthly reports covering progress against planned activities and expenditure against approved budgets.
Ensure programme documentation is properly filed and readily available for reporting, communication, audits and evaluations.
Capture and share appropriate photographs of programme implementation on a monthly basis.
Assess programme performance and identify success factors and opportunities for improvement.
Research linkages across programme activities and identify opportunities for integration.
Document and analyse innovative approaches and best practices.
Lead programme learning initiatives and identify opportunities for research and publications related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Facilitate dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to strengthen organizational knowledge management.
4. Technical Support and Capacity Strengthening
Build the capacity of partners and community resource persons involved in programme implementation.
Provide technical backstopping and supervision in collaboration with district technical staff.
Identify technical gaps and support appropriate capacity-building interventions.
Contribute to project reviews and programme design.
Strengthen linkages between different thematic programme components.
Support partners and other stakeholders to improve programme quality and impact.
5. Budget Monitoring
Monitor programme expenditure to ensure budgets are utilized within approved limits and timelines.
Track expenditure to prevent both over- and under-spending.
Ensure compliance with donor financial requirements.
Verify expenditure and ensure correct financial coding.
Review financial reports with the Education Manager and Area Manager to ensure accurate reporting.
6. Coordination and Collaboration
Coordinate climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions at district and sub-county levels.
Work closely with District Government departments, NGOs and other agencies to identify opportunities for collaboration.
Leverage district resources and partnerships to maximize programme impact.
Network with other Save the Children projects to promote a holistic approach to climate-adaptive programming.
Strengthen collaboration between climate adaptation activities and Education, Child Protection and other thematic interventions.
7. Reporting and Documentation
Prepare timely, accurate and consistent monthly and quarterly progress reports.
Contribute to semi-annual and donor reports, clearly demonstrating progress toward programme goals and intended outcomes.
Participate in weekly regional meetings and share programme progress.
Document key achievements, success stories, innovations and lessons learned on a quarterly basis.
Ensure programme documentation is maintained to support accountability, audits, evaluations and communication.
8. Partnership Management
Identify and map potential implementing partners within the operational area.
Recommend potential partners for assessment where appropriate.
Support and monitor day-to-day partner implementation.
Identify partner capacity gaps and recommend appropriate capacity-building support.
Follow up on partner reports and accountabilities.
Jointly implement strategic activities with partners.
Ensure partner activities remain aligned with project designs, approved plans and agreements.
Document partner best practices and unique experiences for learning and sharing.
Support children to actively participate in, own and benefit from programme interventions.
Mobilize parents and communities to participate in planning, monitoring and implementation of community development initiatives.
Build the capacity of children, parents and communities to engage local leaders on issues affecting child protection and wellbeing.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have:
A Bachelor's Degree in Climate Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences, Natural Resource Economics or a related field.
At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in climate change, environmental management, disaster management and/or programme/project management.
Previous experience working with government, donors or UN agencies is an advantage.
Experience in policy analysis and development work relating to climate change and related issues is desirable.
Knowledge of Uganda's institutional frameworks and climate change policies is an advantage.
Experience in development planning and project management/implementation is highly desirable.
Experience and knowledge of climate adaptation and mitigation programming, particularly in Karamoja, is strongly desirable.
Knowledge of climate adaptation and mitigation within the education sector is an added advantage.
Experience supporting child-centred climate adaptation and mitigation interventions is an advantage.
Demonstrated understanding of resilience and livelihoods development.
Ability to integrate resource management with community development and livelihood resilience.
Understanding of the links between sustainable development, community development, social issues and gender.
Experience with project development and results-based management methodologies.
Programme design, monitoring and evaluation experience is an advantage.
Good knowledge of climate change adaptation and mitigation approaches.
A valid motorcycle riding permit and good motorcycle riding skills are an advantage.
Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas, sometimes under challenging conditions.
Key Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems-thinking skills.
Ability to understand the bigger picture and exercise sound judgement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong advocacy, presentation and report-writing skills.
Excellent relationship-management and stakeholder-engagement skills.
Ability to influence and gain buy-in from people who are not under direct supervision.
Ability to work effectively with people from diverse geographical, cultural and professional backgrounds.
Strong planning and organizational skills.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
Excellent documentation and computer literacy skills.
High cultural awareness and ability to work effectively in an international environment.
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Application Information
Interested candidates should submit:
An up-to-date CV.
A cover letter.
The CV and cover letter should be combined into one document not exceeding 5 MB and submitted through the Save the Children recruitment portal.
How to apply