Head of Programs job at War Child Canada (WCC) | Apply Now

Program strategy, direction, and implementation (40%):

• Collaborate with the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) to provide leadership, oversight, and guidance on program strategy, direction, and implementation.

• Support the development and use of robust M&E frameworks, centralized data collection systems, program management systems, and operational tools.

• Develop and implement internal mechanisms for institutional learning, quality control, and programmatic integration, with guidance from the Country Director (including tracking of key changes in the operating landscape and leveraging key opportunities to enhance organizational and programmatic growth).

• Provide leadership in identifying and testing key innovations which can enhance the effectiveness of existing programs, as well as, designing/fundraising for new innovative programs aimed at strengthening humanitarian, recovery and resilience support to child and communities affected by conflict.

• Ensure all programming adheres to Minimum Standards and aligns with internationally recognized best practices.

• Oversee the management and cultivation of key donor relationships and develop comprehensive donor engagement strategies.

• Provide mentoring, training, and support to staff as needed to build capacity and enhance program performance.

• Continuously monitor program performance to ensure objectives are achieved in line with program plans, log frames, and agreements; chair regular program review meetings for technical and strategic evaluation.

• Promote integration across War Child Canada’s interventions to maximize program impact.

• Oversee program budgets, forecasts, and expenditures to ensure proper grant management and accountability, working closely with the Finance Department.

• Provide technical assistance to program teams and source additional support as necessary based on program needs.

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of child safeguarding and security protocols.

• Integrate gender-sensitive approaches and prioritize marginalized groups, including women, girls, and persons with disabilities.

• Ensure programs support climate resilience and adaptation.

• Engage stakeholders to influence policy and promote War Child Canada’s agenda

• Build local partner capacity, including Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), for sustainable program delivery.

Program design and development (35%):

• Lead the rollout and application of War Child Canada’s Program Framework to strengthen program design and delivery.

• Enhance organizational capacity for effective program implementation through strategic and operational planning processes.

• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of the Country Strategic Plan.

• Ensure compliance with donor management and reporting standards, including oversight of narrative reporting.

• Develop and maintain long-term strategies with key program partner organizations.

• Build the capacity of local partner organizations in program design, development, and implementation as needed.

• Oversee the design and development of new programs, including emergency and development programming, in collaboration with field and head-office staff.

• Facilitate opportunities for learning and knowledge-sharing across the organization and with War Child Canada staff leads, in coordination with the Country Director.

• Conduct assessment visits to potential new areas within Uganda as needed.

• Supervise, motivate, and manage the performance of Project Managers and other relevant programming staff.

Institutional fund development (25%):

• Develop and implement institutional fundraising strategies aligned with War Child Canada’s Program Framework.

• Collaborate with the Country Director to establish and pursue long-term growth strategies for both existing and prospective in-country donors.

• Cultivate and sustain strategic relationships with donor agencies, including UN bodies and other stakeholders.

• Actively build and maintain positive partnerships with INGOs and local organizations in Uganda.

• Represent War Child Canada at Cluster Meetings, program coordination forums, UN/NGO meetings, and other relevant platforms.

• Oversee the development of detailed funding proposals and budgets, liaising with in-country donors as needed, in collaboration with the Senior Management Team