Country Representative Job Vacancy in Uganda at ARK( Absolute Return for Kids)

Job Title: Country Representative

Overall Responsibility:
The Country Representative will be responsible for the successful implementation of the Partnerships for Public Education (PPE) programme, together with the Managing Director of PEAS, our partner organisation. This person will provide leadership, guidance and strategic direction and work closely with PEAS to ensure the programme objectives are delivered. He/ she will be responsible for developing the programme strategic and implementation plans, developing strong stakeholder relationships in Uganda at a senior level, building ARK’s profile, building and managing the ARK team, and ensuring ARK’s successful registration in Uganda. Over time, this role will be expected to look for new opportunities for ARK within Uganda.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: (including but not limited to the following)

Programme design and implementation
• Provide strategic direction to the programme, together with the Managing Director of PEAS
• Provide guidance and ARK’s input to the programme design and implementation and inform key decisions especially in the areas of:
o Location
o School build specifications and contractor process
o School model
o Innovations to improve quality
o Professional development of leaders and teachers
o Community and parent involvement
o School inspection process
• Work with the Senior Director of Education to drive the focus on quality of teaching and learning, student attainment, achievement and aspirations, and pastoral care across the ARK-PEAS schools
• Drive the engagement and partnerships with providers of improvements to primary education in primary schools that feed into the ARK-PEAS schools
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation throughout the programme

Planning and budgeting
• Lead the development of a programme implementation plan and associated deliverable schedule (in line with the business plan) and agree with PEAS
• Lead the development of annual operating plans, budgets and targets (in line with the business plan) and agree with PEAS
• Manage the ARK budget effectively

Programme management
• Work closely with PEAS to ensure that programme goals, objectives and ME&R targets are delivered
• Manage risks and issues and adjust programme tactics and targets accordingly as situations change and opportunities and threats emerge
• Implement and monitor the agreement with PEAS and raise associated issues appropriately
• Play an active role in the programme governance structures, acting as ARK’s primary focus for managing the partnership with PEAS
• Provide updates to the Steering Team, Regional Director of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Head of International Education, working closely with them to ensure they are informed of any risks or issues

Programme monitoring, evaluation and reporting and research
• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation and reporting (ME&R) work; framework, plans and implementation, and align partners to this
• Ensure effective, timely and consistent data collection and collation, analysis and reporting
• Review and submit quarterly and annual reports to ARK and other stakeholders as required
• Facilitate quarterly monitoring and evaluation review meetings
• Oversee the research undertaken as part of the programme, ensuring it will meet programme objectives and that it is delivered to time, quality and budget
• Share learnings with other ARK international programmes

Stakeholder management
• Proactively build and maintain positive relationships with PEAS and resolve issues as they arise
• Proactively build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders in the Ministry of Education and Sports, international and local NGOs, bilaterals, multi-laterals, civil society organisations, unions, research institutions and other members of the education sector, in a manner that is complementary to PEAS
• Represent ARK in the programme and at stakeholder meetings
• Proactively engage with and build networks that can support programme implementation

Policy influencing
• With PEAS, co-develop a policy influencing strategy to support the delivery of programme objectives and implement it
• Represent ARK and the programme appropriately in relevant policy spaces
• Contribute to ARK’s wider education policy development processes

Communication, PR and fundraising
• With PEAS, co-develop a country level communication and PR plan and deliver the ARK elements of the plan
• Work with the ARK International Communication team and Head of International Education to design and execute an appropriate external communication plan
• Provide input to ARK communication and donor materials
• With PEAS, consider additional partners or funders of the programme

Human Resource Management
• Agree job descriptions, selection process, appointments and objectives of key programme personnel across both PEAS and ARK teams and leadership positions in the ARK-PEAS schools
• Lead, develop and manage ARK staff effectively to maximise their performance and potential
• Facilitate staff development plans including mentoring and coaching
• Ensure effective internal communication of ARK’s policies

Manage operations
• Set ARK up as a legal entity in Uganda
• Ensure the operation is compliant to local laws and regulations
• Oversee operational activities such as procurement, IT, logistics for ARK
• Facilitate renewal of existing agreements and create new agreements with partners as necessary


Qualifications and personal attributes:
• An individual with excellent strategic thinking, a willingness to challenge the status quo and to bring innovative approaches
• Ability to effectively and rapidly build strong relationships at a senior level
• A strong minded, capable and results orientated individual who is able to develop and execute plans
• Proven track record of effective programme design and implementation with evidence of results
• Ability to communicate in a compelling and succinct way
• Experience of policy influencing preferable
• Evidence of passion for improving children’s lives
• At least 5 years senior management experience in the development sector, preferably in the education sector


Location: Kampala, Uganda
How to Apply:
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter with 3 work related referees to the address or e-mail below. All applications shall be marked: “Ark-Country Representative” where you replace position name with the job you are applying for.

People Performance Group
Plot 8 kitante Close, kitante
P.O.Box 12405, Kampala
Uganda

Closing Date is 5pm on the 24th of October 2011