About US:
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) has championed efforts to promote a coordinated approach to social protection in Uganda. These efforts culminated in the design of the Expanding Social Protection (ESP) programme that has been implemented by the GoU under the MGLSD with financial and technical support from GoU, DFID, Irish Aid and UNICEF. Its goal is to reduce chronic poverty and improve life chances for poor men, women and children in Uganda. The purpose is to embed a national social protection system, including social assistance for the poorest and most vulnerable, as a core element of Uganda’s national planning and budgeting processes. Phase I of the ESP programme was implemented through a Social Protection Secretariat which was established in 2010 under the Directorate of Social Protection of the Ministry. The objectives of Phase I included piloting Social Assistance Grants in 15 districts and capacity building. ESP is now transitioning to Phase II in which the program will expand to cover a total of 55 districts during the next five years and be implemented by a Programme Management Unit (PMU).

Job Summary: The Senior Programme Officer Communication & Advocacy will develop and manage a communications strategy and ensure that the programme’s communication and advocacy functions are carried out to agreed timeframes, budget and quality and work plans for all programme activities are followed at national and regional Levels. The jobholder will also support national and regional teams to coordinate and mobilise communities; and ensure all elements of programme communications are coordinated across all programme outputs and work streams. The incumbent will build and strengthen partnerships among stakeholders working in key social protection areas as well as ensure growth of ESP/SAGE’s reputation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Develop and manage an overall ESP II communication strategy that ensures policy alignment and consistency in all public engagements and messaging.
· Develop TORs, tenders and contracts for procuring communication products and activities at national and local levels, and coordinate and implement communication activities.
· Oversee the engagement with press/public relations officers or personal assistants/private secretaries within key MDAs to promote social protection messaging into public communication activities.
· The job holder will also manage media relations including draft press releases and arranging press conferences, preparing media briefs and arranging interviews.
· Work in liaison with the SPO M&E and SPO Research, Evidence & Knowledge management to identify and communicate lessons coming out of the SAGE programme and associated research activities, as well as packaging and disseminating existing and emerging international evidence.
· Work closely with the SPO Capacity Building to ensure coherence of communications and messages in the SAGE Training Manual.
· In charge of maintaining a regular flow of information about the programme to key target audiences. This to include, but not limited to, a regular newsletter, regular and timely website updates as well as others to be agreed.
· Manage the design and maintenance of the ESP programme website, ensuring high quality, relevant and appropriate content and presentation.
· Contribute to progress reports.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The Senior Programme Officer Communication & Advocacy should hold an Honours degree in Journalism, Mass communications, marketing or Public relations. Possession of a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
· A minimum of five years’ experience in managing communications for development programmes at national level in the public or private sector.
· Background in Journalism and/or development communications.
· Working knowledge of social protection/poverty reduction approaches and programmes.
· Previous exposure and experience of working with broad range of stakeholders-from government, media and community.
· Experience of managing media relations, preparing press releases, briefings and conferences as well as handling crisis and rebuttal communications.
· Previous experience and knowledge of effective advocacy strategies to mobilise policy change at national level.
· Excellent interpersonal skills.
· Ability to collaborate with and manage other team members, GoU, service providers anc other external collaborators.
· Broad knowledge and understanding of website management and development.
· Working knowledge of procedures for contracting and contract management of media production organisations to produce media products and activities.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send the following;
· A one (1) page supporting statement, explaining how you believe your experience matches the requirements of the role, directly addressing the position description;
· Curriculum vitae of maximum four (4) pages and providing three referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer, and copies of academic and professional certificates/ testimonials, postal address and daytime telephone contact,

Please submit your application to:

Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development,
Simbamanyo House Plot 1 George Street,
P.O. Box 7136 Kampala. Uganda.

Please clearly indicate the position applied for on the envelope (“Application for the position of”)

Deadline: 16th December 2015.