The purpose of the Programme Operations Manager (POM) is to lead, manage and support Program Unit Managers in quality programme delivery (planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation); and to provide support and technical guidance in the management of their respective teams to ensure high level performance and the achievement of organisational goals. The incumbent will be a member of the Country Management Team, and will provide high-level, strategic contribution to the leadership of the organisation as a whole, in close cooperation with other senior staff.

Responsibilities
• Provide strategic programme Leadership to the programme units.
• Ensure that Plan International Uganda’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) is understood, well-articulated and followed by all PUMs and local partners.
• Ensure project interventions are carefully and consistently planned and implemented in line with the strategic priorities of the CSP across the programme units.
• Create and maintain work environment that promotes delivery of quality programmes and projects.
• Build and oversee managerial leadership and accountability in PU project design, planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluations.
• Guide and support systematic programme growth in the PUs in line with the entry – exit strategy, including the establishment of new non-sponsorship Pus.
• Periodically review project goals, strategies and priorities with local partners and programme staff to ensure proper alignment with CSP priorities and objectives.
• Provide leadership in supporting Quarterly and annual project reflection in line with CCCD standards and sponsorship commitment.
• Work closely with the Sponsorship Manager to ensure timely and quality production of sponsorship communications and implementation of sponsorship commitments.
• Actively support effective grant management at the PU levels and ensure project budgets and delivery targets are well managed and donor compliance issues adequately adhered to.
• Participate actively in all CMT meetings and ensure presentation of critical PU programme management issues.
• Promote corporate image of Plan and maintain appropriate relationship with Local government officials and other development actors in the districts.
• Work closely with the risk manager to ensure potential projects risks are regularly identified, and control measures put in place to mitigate any adverse effects.
• Responsible for overall coordination of audit support & risk management plus follow up of Audit action List (AAL) at the PU levels.
• Proper coordination of programme planning and implementation in line with cooperate strategies, frameworks, standards and systems;
• Coordinate and support country detailed annual project planning and budgeting in line with the CSP priorities and objectives;
• Coordinate and guide the integration of Child Centred Community Development (CCCD) standards, sponsorship commitment and other corporate standards and principles in all projects.
• Closely work with the PSM to support timely review and approval of all project outlines, modification and project completion report for all programme units.
• Coordinate Conduct regular review of programme implementation against the corporate CCCD and programme quality standards.
• Oversee the production and timely submission of quality monthly, quarterly and annual PU and project specific progress reports for submission to CMT, RO, and/or Donors and partners.
• Build and oversee managerial accountability at the PU level, with particular attention to program quality and timely utilisation of budgets in line with annual plans and donor conditions.
• Work closely with PUMs to maintain good relations, planning and coordination between Plan and other development partners in the districts.
• Build strong networks of partners and maintain good relations, and coordination with other development partners in the districts.
• Management of partnership processes at PU level (identification, profiling, assessment and review of partnership agreement plus monitoring partner’s activities), including maintaining of an updated list of key strategic partners in all Pus.
• Facilitating partners to carry out organisational self-assessments (OSAs)/due diligence, and support initiatives to develop partner capacity where required.
• Collaborating with the PSM and Resource Mobilisation Manager to ensure that partner capacity gaps are identified, partners’ capacity building plan developed and fully implemented.
• Being the contact person for all district local government and district based implementing partners in all districts where Plan International Uganda operates.
• Coordinating with key department heads in the respective districts and ensure all development initiatives supported by Plan International are integrated into the sub-county and district annual plans.
• Where applicable proactively actively participate in the district budget conference meetings and in the review and planning meeting with all implementing partners.
• Ensuring partner project monitoring reports are prepared and submitted on time and are properly managed in relation to POs, filing and SAP requirements.
• Engaging with and supporting implementing CSO partners to influence key policy issues affecting the communities, and ensuring that they inform national level policy engagements.
• Contributing to the appraisal and approval process of project proposals/plans of partners and ensure that funds for the approved plans are secured and disbursed on a timely basis.
• Represent Plan in meetings with partners.
• Supervise Human Resource management at the PU levels.
• Effectively supervise all Programme Unit Managers.
• Develop effective field teams and work collaboratively with others, especially as part of the CO programme leadership team.
• Ensure that PU staff are well managed and that staff Individual accountability plans, interim and annual appraisals are completed on time.
• Take an active responsibility for HR recruitment for PU programme staff.
• Work hand – in – hand with Human Resources to ensure new programme staff in the field get adequate orientation.

Skills and qualifications
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in development studies or related field.
• Master degree in Development studies or business administration is preferable.
• At least 10 years’ experience in the management of a dynamic NGO.
• A strong awareness of current issues in the field of development, and familiarity with children’s rights.
• Experience in networking with local and international NGOs, NOs/donors, Ministry level partners and local community based organisations.
• Extensive knowledge in programme planning, design and monitoring.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft software including MS processing, power point presentation, excel spread sheets, e-mails and web based research.

HOW TO APPLY:
Suitably qualified candidates should submit electronic copies (of not more than 2MB) of letters of application, together with a CV.
Contact telephone numbers, copies of relevant certificates, names and contact details of three references plus salary history should be included and sent to uganda.recruitment@plan-international.orgnot later than 4 September, 2015.
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please consider your application unsuccessful in case you do not hear from us by 4 November, 2015.