About NPA:
The National Planning Authority (NPA) was established by an Act of Parliament No.15 of 2002 in compliance with article 125 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995). Accordingly NPA is the principal statutory agency responsible for the management of national and decentralized development planning in Uganda. The primary function of the Authority is to produce comprehensive and integrated development plans for the country elaborated in terms of the perspective Vision, Long and Medium-term Plans.

Job Summary: The Head Policy Research and Innovation Department will build and enhance the institutional capacity focusing on coordinated innovative research in development planning and management issues

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership and management Department of Policy Research & Innovation.
Actively coordinate and integrate Departmental activities
Manage the integrated and harmonized Policy Research and Innovation function
Participate in designing policies and conduct research that will enhance the country’s development planning system.
Carry out in-depth research regarding the impact and cost of selected development programmes
Prepare report of the Authority’s activities containing such information as may be required from time to time
Work closely with the responsible Director, establish and actively maintain close links with National Policy Research Institutes and organizations to;
Promote economic and other thematic research within their structures
Promote frontier research into issues bearing on national development.
Take part in the Development of the Authority’s Strategy and Action Plan for innovation
Plan, organize, and supervise the work of a growing research team at the Authority
Develop a research plan, in collaboration with other units, for policy studies of interest to the Authority and Government.
Position the directorate as a research and data analysis arm of the organization by reviewing and refining systems to ensure data quality and compliance with national policies and standards
Design and implement innovations frameworks for key sectors of the economy
Actively participate in the preparation of technical papers by ensuring availability of adequate data / information to support formulation of relevant related policies.
Establish databases and long-term time series data sets to support planning and production of realistic analyses
Be a facilitator of innovative approaches and change in planning and programmes design and implementation

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The applicant should preferably hold a Master’s degree; majoring in any of the following fields is a must in; Economics, Development Planning, Economic Policy and Planning; Development Economics; Management Information Systems, Research / Policy analysis or a closely related discipline, relevant Masters’ from a recognized University or Institution.
The applicant must have evidence of at least 3 past Publications- through reputable Journals
Added advantage qualifications:
Additional training in Econometrics, Research Methodologies and Statistical Methods from a reorganised Institution is desirable
Other, Post-Graduate qualification in relevant field and or Certification in fields relevant to the job.
A minimum of ten or more years’ experience; five of which, must be at Senior Officer level in the areas of , Research, Innovation, Statistics, Management Information Systems, Development Management, Policy Analysis or any other area relevant to the job and in a reputable development-related institution/organization.
Comprehensive knowledge in the field of research.
Past experience in Government Systems, operations, and reporting and coordination mechanisms is desired

How to Apply:
All candidates are encouraged to send two sets of applications with detailed curriculum vitae clearly phone and email contacts, photocopies of academic and professional certificates and transcripts should be directed to: The Executive Director, National Planning Authority, P.O. Box 21434 Kampala, Uganda; Planning – House Plot 17B Clement Hill Road. The applicant should indicate the Ref No. of the post applied for in the top hand right corner the application envelope. On delivery, the applications shall be registered at the NPA Reception / Front desk.

Deadline: Thursday 30th April 2015 at 16:55 hours.