Country Director, Uganda

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Country Director to join our Country Office in Uganda.

Team and Role Purpose

As a member of the East and Southern Africa Senior Leadership team, you will have shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region of approximately $400 million each year through an organisation of over 4,500 people.  To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, aim to drive substantial global growth by in alignment with our Ambition 2030.

The Country Director will lead the transformation of the country to a new operating model, whilst also delivering Save the Children’s strategy within the country through: 

• Delivering quality programmes, including advocacy, for children; and
• Ensuring world class stewardship of resources from Members and their donors

• Job Title: Country Director, Uganda
• Reports To: Regional Director
• Work Pattern: On-site
• Location: Uganda
• Required Time Zone: GMT +2
• Contract Length: Open Ended
• Grade: Executive
• Language Requirements: English
• International Travel: up to 20% 
• People Management: Number of people managed in total: Senior Management, SLT 6; Team Manager (manager of multiple teams): 200
• Budget Responsibility: US $18 Million both through direct implementation and partners with a solid advocacy strategy and agenda
• Remit: Country

Principal Accountabilities

As a member of the Regional Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic development and delivery of integrated international programming, across all humanitarian and development contexts, in line with the Save the Children mandate, strategy and theory of change.

Deliver transformational change in-country, including:

• Developing and delivering improved outcomes for children through delivery of the Save the Children global programme strategy and global initiatives and growth targets as set for the country
• Engaging Save the Children staff, partners and other stakeholders to create real shared ownership and collaboration
• Creating an environment of continuous learning, where staff are encouraged and supported to grow and develop and are willing to be held accountable for their commitments
• Ensuring that the focus of the organisation remains on the rights and needs of children 

Strategic Leadership 

• Developing strong country strategy and operational plans that identify and address significant issues facing children, and are in line with Save the Children’s overall strategy (with a focus on Global Themes and common approaches) and theory of change
• Preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to local and cross-border emergencies affecting children, including building relationships with key humanitarian and development decision-makers and partners in-country 
• Delivering programmes and advocacy in line with the country strategy, operational plans, budgets that result in significant impact for children
• Collaborating with colleagues in the region to deliver any regional programmes and advocacy, in line with regional strategies, operational plans, budgets and Save the Children member requirements that result in significant impact for children
• Developing and maintaining good relations with Members and their donors
• Growing the country programme to bolster our position as the leading NGO addressing children’s rights issues in the country
• Developing and maintaining efficient and effective operating systems, and ensure compliance with all Save the Children Essential Standards, including safety & security management
• Contributing to global knowledge and learning in Save the Children

Audit, Corporate Governance compliance 

Save the Children is committed to being an effective steward of funds we receive from our various donors. We take compliance with their requirements and our own requirements very seriously. Also maintains a 'zero tolerance' policy toward fraudulent, dishonest and corrupt practices. Where they are detected, it will be investigated and take appropriate action against staff, volunteers, partners, vendors, suppliers and any other implicated party. Therefore, the Country Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all aspect the Anti-Fraud policy.   

• Ensure compliance with all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc.
• Ensure that internal and external audits are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner in line with policy and back donor and host government requirements
• Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of operations and take appropriate actions where necessary
• Ensure all incidents of fraud are rapidly investigated, with decisive action taken and lessons learnt applied immediately and sustainably.
• Ensure the Country office has security plans and procedures in line with policies, systems and guidelines
• Maintain, document and communicate up to date analyses of the changing security context
• Ensure all staff adhere to safety and security guidelines
• Understand and fulfil responsibilities in achieving compliance of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy standards.
• Provide overall leadership and oversight to the development of country level child safeguarding systems with the aim of achieving full compliance with the Child Safeguarding Policy’s criteria

Safety and Security Management

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks to staff and ensuring staff are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact for children. Therefore, the Country Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all aspect the Safety and Security policy.

• Ensure the Country office has security plans and procedures in line with policies, systems and guidelines
• Maintain, document and communicate up to date analyses of the changing security context
• Ensure all staff adhere to safety and security guidelines

Child Safeguarding 

Children who come into contact with Save the Children as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of child abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. The Country Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all aspects of the policy. 

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Substantial experience of building, leading and developing a diverse team of senior staff to deliver on both development and humanitarian programs
• Experience of working with donors to secure and/or manage new large-scale and/or competitive funding
• Experience of leading high-profile advocacy and campaigning initiatives
• Experience in managing a growing county office and the need to balance growth with capacity
• Experience of leading change in an organisation which has led to considerable results for the organisation and its stakeholders
• Experience of building personal networks, including government, at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organisation
• Strategic thinker who is comfortable with developing highly ambitious business strategies at scale and the track record of delivering on these
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Excellent understanding of programme, financial and operational management processes
• Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development
• Strong and nuanced cultural awareness
• Fluency in speaking and writing in English
• Commitment to the Save the Children values

Desirable

• Demonstrable ability to recruit, lead and develop high calibre specialist senior staff with a range of backgrounds and expertise
• Strong track record in building high performance teams and future successors/leaders
• Evidence of identifying and building strategic and effective business networks at a very senior level, which have resulted in clear business benefit for the organisation
• Innovative approach to solving a range of highly complex issues and galvanising buy-in to the solutions at all levels
• Highly developed political acumen and ability to navigate through diverse political situations 
• Prior experience in Uganda or Eastern Africa

Education and Qualifications 

Essential

• Master’s degree level qualification or equivalent length of experience in the sector

Values in Practice 

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Working at Save the Children International 

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first. 

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Three-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse.  All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.