• Program Strategy & Development: • Design, lead, and continuously improve innovative programs aligned with AIA’s strategic goals and community needs. • Work with the Country Director to develop phased plans for scaling successful initiatives to our new Sentema campus, piloting innovative approaches, and identifying strategic partnerships for growth. • Ensure program staff consistently monitor and adhere to the strategic plan, keeping activities aligned with organizational goals throughout the program period. • Improve program performance and impact through in-country proposals that identify strategic opportunities, address local needs, and strengthen sustainability. • Program Management & Implementation: • Oversee the successful execution of all program activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. • Develop annual work plans in advance with clear termly or quarterly breakdowns that guide program activities and support timely budget planning. • Work with the country Director to maintain strong partnerships with schools, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance program quality, expand reach, and support sustainable growth. • Oversee the program budgeting process, ensuring correct projections, efficient use of funding, and accurate financial tracking in collaboration with the Finance team. • Ensure program compliance with donor regulations, government policies, and internal audit requirements. • Identify and mitigate program risks, including reputational, operational, and financial risks. • Prepare program budgets and forecasts accurately, aligned with workplan periods, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial sustainability. • Review and approve program proposals and budgets each school term to ensure compliance with organizational standards and policies. • Ensure programmatic procurements comply with organizational policy, and provide pre-approvals for high-value or program-critical procurements. • Align programmatic procurement needs with program objectives, budgets, and timelines, and review procurement plans to confirm they support program deliverables and priorities. • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): • Ensure accurate data collection and analysis, including comprehensive baseline, midline, and endline data for all programs, to inform decision-making and impact evaluation. • Conduct quarterly learning sessions with staff to reflect on impact data and identify opportunities for program growth and innovation. • Analyze program-related reports to identify key discussion points and focus areas, enabling the top management team to make timely, strategic responses. • Team Leadership & Staff Development: • Work with HR to ensure staff have clear performance goals and receive regular performance feedback and coaching. • Foster cross-department collaboration in order to ensure that departments are working effectively and efficiently to achieve program goals. • Lead, manage, and motivate Program Teams, ensuring they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance regularly, in collaboration with the human resources department. • Create and maintain a cooperative and positive working environment where staff have clear roles and responsibilities, participate in decision making, and are supported in progressing towards their objectives. • Identify capacity gaps and arrange for appropriate training of Project Team staff to adequately equip them with the skills and knowledge required to accomplish their responsibilities. • Reporting & Communication: • Ensure 100% of donor, board, and annual program reports are submitted on time, containing accurate, high-quality data meeting organizational standards. • Communicate program results effectively to various internal and external audiences. • Safeguarding & Child Protection: • Ensure all programs comply with child protection, safeguarding, and ethical standards. • Promote a culture of safety, dignity, and accountability in program design and delivery. • Any additional duties as assigned, provided they align with the scope of the role and level of responsibility • Reporting • The Programs Director will report directly to Action in Africa’s Country Director.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field (Master’s preferred) • 7+ years of program management experience, ideally in education, scholarship, or a similar NGO setting • Proven experience managing teams, budgets, and complex programs • Strong understanding of MEL, data-driven decision-making • Excellent communication, collaboration, leadership, and strategic planning skills • Experience using G-Suite tools, including Gmail/Drive/Docs/Sheets/Chat/Calendar, as well as an aptitude for learning new software programs such as Monday.com • Proven ability to lead program change, implement new systems, or scale programs. • Capacity to foster a culture of innovation and learning • Knowledge of curriculum development, learning outcomes, or community-based education programs • Understanding of policy frameworks and government regulations relevant to the sectors. Be a Ugandan citizen or have the legal right to work in Uganda • Core Competencies • Strategic Thinking and growth-oriented: Ability to align programs with organizational goals and Community needs, developing long-term strategies for growth and quality improvement • World-class Project Management skills: Strong experience in developing, planning, managing, and reporting program activities • Monitoring & Evaluation Skills: Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and analysis for program improvement • Team Leadership: Proven aptitude and track record of developing others through clarity, coaching, performance standards, and motivation • Integrity and Accountability: Prioritizes community needs and owns program outcomes; consistently exercises ethical judgment in all matters • Innovation: Committed to encouraging new and innovative solutions and driving continuous program improvements • Excellent Communication and Collaboration: Ability to articulate ideas professionally and work effectively with diverse stakeholders • High emotional intelligence: an approachable and skilled listener with the ability to successfully manage conflict • Cultural sensitivity: Ability to work in diverse, inclusive, multi-stakeholder environments. • Attention to detail: Adherence to the highest professional standards at all times • Mission-oriented: A strong commitment to AIA’s mission and a passion for implementing community-based change