Uganda: Program Officer

Employment Opportunity: Program Officer, Uganda Program

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI or the Institute) is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

The Institute’s Uganda program currently has an opening for a Program Officer. The Program Officer position will provide technical and administrative assistance to the Resident Representative, who will have general oversight of all NDI programs in Uganda. The Program Officer would be responsible for the management of two of the Institute’s programs in Uganda – an outreach program to women to encourage political participation and a civic and voter education program. NDI anticipates that it will partner with a small group of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Uganda on these components.

The specific responsibilities of the Program Officer will include:

• Serve as primary point of contact for the Institute’s Uganda partner organizations including, providing assistance to the CSOs in their efforts to comply with NDI’s subgrants policies and procedures; serve as technical advisor on the program; meeting with the partners on a pre-determined schedule to track program progress; prepare budgets for program activities organized by NDI for its partners and; communicate bi-weekly with the Resident Representative and Washington, DC on the program implementation.
• Organize and design training sessions for the partner organizations to improve their abilities to successfully meet their program objectives.
• Review and monitor civic partners’ financial reporting and compliance with grant guidelines, consistent with donor and Washington-based accounting procedures. Provide guidance and technical assistance to partners as necessary to maintain high standards of compliance.
• Promote constructive engagement between NDI and partner organizations.
• Conduct research and analysis, review any relevant government documents, policies and political developments that might impact on the Institute’s or its partners’ programs.
• Taking notes and preparing minutes for bi-weekly partner meetings.
• Coordinate the distribution of relevant information to partners prior to bi-weekly partner meetings.
• Coordinate media outreach and provide logistical support for partner’s media programs.
• In cooperation with Resident Representative, provide input into quarterly reports, workplans and other program planning documents.
• Assist the Resident Representative in the timely and accurate recording and reporting of all financial transactions in accordance with donor regulations, including the submission of monthly financial reconciliations.
• Provide administrative support to Resident Representative, as may be required.
• Other duties as the Resident Representative or staff in Washington, DC may require.

Minimum qualifications:

• A university degree in a relevant field;
• Prior work experience with a CSO or donor organization in Uganda;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken;
• Experience with word processing and spreadsheets;
• Financial management background preferred, but not required; and
• Familiarity with Ugandan political and social conditions, including knowledge of marginalized communities in the region.

Applications will be considered through close of business on Friday, June 17th. Please submit inquiry letter, CV, copies of academic transcripts, and two names of references to: Ms. Alexious Butler c/o NDI address below. (Only successfully short-listed candidates will be contacted.) Applications can also be submitted via email.

Physical Address:

National Democratic Institute
Plot 11, Portal Avenue
2nd Floor, Inside the Adams House parking lot
Kampala, Uganda
Email: [email protected]

Or Mailing Address:

National Democratic Institute
P.O. Box 23861
Kampala, Uganda