Uganda: Senior Programme Manager - Kampala

Background:

MONTROSE is an international development project management and consultancy company providing support to clients operating in the developing world. Specialized in the sectors of health, education, rural livelihoods and private sector development, our clients include bilateral and multilateral development agencies, the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations and other development stakeholders.

Montrose has its head office in UK, and regional offices in Africa (Kampala) and Asia-Pacific (Yangon).

Position:

Montrose is seeking the right candidate to fill a new position of Senior Programme Manager based in Kampala. This is a full-time position to provide senior level management support, supervision and oversight to ongoing Montrose projects being managed principally from our Kampala office.

Key Functions for this Position:

1.Project Management Oversight

Ensuring the effective oversight and supervision of project and contract implementation for projects being managed within the region.

This includes:

• Providing support to the day-to-day project managers on set up, process, implementation, reporting, consultant management and budget management
• Ensuring processes are followed and progress tracked on each project, with regular updates to Montrose management.
• Troubleshooting support on projects
• Liaise closely with management on projects and progress, issues and problems as they arise; agreeing on how to proceed and ensuring the effective implementation of these decisions
• Ensuring effective communications plans for each project is in place and is being followed
• Ensuring that the client contract requirements and TOR specifications are being followed
• Review and pre-approval of selection of technical consultants
• Review of deliverables, budget expenditure and time frame for active projects
• Review, with Project Manager, results, challenges and lessons learned at end of projects
• Provide input on strategic direction to existing programmes and projects
• Ensuring compliance to HSSE and Ethical Conduct/Duty of Care requirements
• Analysis of project progress and content and providing feedback for improving projects

2.Project Management

More active involvement in direct project management of specific projects where they have particular strategic importance. This would normally involve support from other Kampala-based personnel.

This includes in addition to the above management oversight:

• Client liaison on project management
• Consultant and personnel recruitment and management
• Drafting, monitoring and managing project working budgets
• Work plan development, tracking and revision
• Deliverables management, QA/revision and submission
• Overseeing/supporting inputs by junior personnel supporting the project
• Supervision of support to projects including: logistics arrangements, procurement, compliance, invoice tracking and financial reporting
• Preparing end of project internal documentation (including review of results, challenges and lessons learned, consultancy review

3.Strategic Project Management Inputs

Undertake broader reviews and provide recommendations on how to improve systems, processes, and delivery of projects and programmes and components of these, including:

• Systematic review of project outcomes against objectives and how we can improve these
• Analysing technical skill needed, identifying gaps and recommending ways to strengthen core capacities
• Review of project management systems and processes and recommendations for improvements
• Review of industry standards with respect to development practices, compliance/DOC and other PM standards
• Supporting the development of a mentoring system for programme management staff and undertaking mentoring to build their capacity in relevant areas

4.Technical Inputs

• Reviewing/providing QA on technical reports and deliverables
• Providing technical inputs for areas of expertise on ongoing projects where appropriate
• Supporting technical experts through providing research or other support on technical areas where required
• Supervision/management of junior technical personnel for provision of inputs
• Undertaking field work related to providing technical inputs or oversight as required

5.OIC and Representation

• Acting in the absence of the Africa Director as needed and appropriate, including operations of the office and representation of the company

Skills and experience

• Masters’ Degree in International Development, Public Health, Education or related fields from a reputable university
• Minimum five years’ relevant experience in project management or related field
• Previous experience managing Africa-based projects essential
• Experience managing/supervising a multi-cultural team an asset
• Experience and knowledge of key funders (DFID, UN) a strong asset
• Impeccable organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent writing skills
• Highly numerate
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
• High degree of flexibility and creativity
• Good inter‐personal skills
• Excellent English language skills, knowledge of Spanish and/or French an advantage
• Location: Kampala, Uganda with some regional and international travel likely

If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in this opportunity please submit a detailed CV together with a covering letter explaining how you are suited for the position at hruk@montroseint.com by Friday 20 November 2015.