Country Representative at Chance for Childhood — Full-Time NGO Leadership Job in Uganda

About the role

Chance for Childhood is an international NGO working with children, families and communities across Africa. Its work focuses particularly on children living with disabilities and children who face barriers to education, healthcare and safe spaces.

The organisation works with local communities and partners to promote inclusive education, health and economic resilience. It also collaborates with governments to strengthen inclusive systems and create lasting improvements in children's lives.

Chance for Childhood is seeking a Country Representative to lead its operations in Uganda. Reporting to the Head of Operations for East Africa, based in Rwanda, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, manage the Uganda office, oversee programme implementation and represent the organisation in engagements with government officials, donors, NGOs and other stakeholders.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced development professional with a strong track record in organisational management, fundraising, financial oversight, partnership development and programme delivery.

The successful candidate will help ensure that the organisation's Uganda activities align with its overall mission, national priorities, donor expectations and long-term strategic goals.

Position: Country Representative
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Employment type: Permanent, full-time
Reports to: Head of Operations, East Africa, Rwanda

Responsibilities

The Country Representative will lead the organisation's work in Uganda across several areas.

1. Organisational leadership and representation

• Lead the implementation and continued development of the organisation's vision, mission and strategy in Uganda.
• Represent Chance for Childhood at national and international meetings, sector forums and stakeholder engagements.
• Build and maintain relationships with government institutions, donors, NGOs, community organisations, academic institutions and the media.
• Maintain effective communication with the organisation's international secretariat and other offices.

2. Governance and institutional management

• Work with the organisation's board to promote sound governance and compliance with organisational policies.
• Maintain effective relationships with the board chair and board members.
• Identify and manage organisational risks and communicate significant developments that may affect policy or operations.

3. Fundraising and resource mobilisation

• Develop and implement a funding strategy that supports the Uganda strategic plan.
• Build relationships with local and international donors and identify suitable funding opportunities.
• Diversify funding sources, including local and corporate fundraising.
• Ensure that donors and the organisation's funding teams receive accurate and timely information.

4. Communications and advocacy

• Develop and implement a communications strategy that strengthens the organisation's public profile.
• Maintain relationships with media organisations and ensure published information accurately represents the organisation.
• Support research and advocacy that can improve children's lives and influence relevant policies.
• Lead campaigns that connect communities with decision-makers and increase public awareness of children's rights.

5. Human resource management

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management and staff development.
• Promote gender equity, inclusion, teamwork and continuous learning.
• Work with the Head of Operations to appoint, develop and manage senior staff.
• Build a capable, diverse and well-supported team.

6. Strategy and programme implementation

• Lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Uganda strategic plan.
• Ensure programme activities respond to political, social and economic changes.
• Develop appropriate contingency plans for emergencies and coordinate approval where required.
• Maintain strong programme management and accountability systems.

7. Finance and operations

• Oversee the effective management of the Uganda office's financial and operational resources.
• Ensure budgets, expenditure and financial reporting comply with organisational policies, Ugandan law and donor requirements.
• Maintain sound internal financial controls and accountability systems.
• Prepare financial plans, monitor expenditure and provide reports to management, the board, government and donors.
• Lead teams in solving complex operational problems.

8. Partnerships and safeguarding

• Develop and maintain partnerships that support programme objectives.
• Establish appropriate country-level partnership management procedures.
• Identify and manage operational risks and crises.
• Champion child safeguarding and protection across programmes, staff activities and partnerships.
• Ensure staff, volunteers and partners understand and comply with safeguarding requirements.
• Coordinate stakeholder meetings, workshops, conferences, site visits and other strategic engagements.

Requirements

Applicants should meet the educational, professional and management requirements set out in the vacancy.

Education

• A bachelor's degree in social sciences, development studies or management.
• A master's degree in a relevant social science discipline from a recognised institution.

Professional experience

• At least 7 years in a top management position in development work, education, health or poverty alleviation programmes.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing staff capacity.
• A proven record of successful fundraising, particularly regular giving and corporate fundraising.
• Experience managing complex financial systems and budgets exceeding US$500,000.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, operational management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience negotiating and working with government officials and donors at different levels.
• Experience as an executive director or country director in a similar organisation is an advantage.

Essential knowledge and competencies

• Strong knowledge of development approaches, methodologies and programme management.
• Knowledge of children's rights is preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive government-level discussions and diplomatic engagements.
• Understanding of the political, social, economic and historical environment in which development programmes operate in Uganda.
• Strong leadership, people management and decision-making skills.
• Experience in budgeting, financial management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Skills in funding proposal development and donor contract management.
• Ability to manage risks, crises, conflicts and complex operational challenges.
• Proficiency in English and familiarity with the Ugandan context.

Candidates should also be prepared to uphold the organisation's child safeguarding policies and its commitment to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.

Benefits

The supplied vacancy description does not specify a salary, health insurance, accommodation, relocation assistance or other employee benefits.

Applicants should ask the organisation for details about:

• Salary and allowances.
• Health insurance and pension arrangements.
• Relocation support, if applicable.
• Work-permit requirements for applicants who are not already authorised to work in Uganda.
• Any additional employment benefits and leave entitlements.

The confirmed employment conditions in the supplied document are permanent, full-time employment for 40 hours per week, based in Kampala.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications by email.

Step 1: Prepare your motivation letter.

Explain why you are suitable for the Country Representative role. Highlight your leadership experience, development-sector achievements, fundraising record, financial management experience and commitment to children's rights and inclusion.

Step 2: Prepare a detailed CV.

Include your qualifications, senior management experience, programme responsibilities, fundraising achievements, budget oversight, donor relationships and relevant development-sector results.

Where possible, demonstrate the scale of the budgets you have managed, the teams you have led and the outcomes of programmes under your supervision.

Step 3: Provide three referees.

Include the contact details of three referees who can speak to your professional experience and track record.

Step 4: Email your application.

Send the motivation letter, detailed CV and three referees' contact information to:

Email: apply@chanceforchildhood.org

Email subject: CfC Ug Country Rep

Deadline: 4 November 2026, at 5:00 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT).

Submit your application before the stated deadline. The organisation indicates that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted because of the anticipated high volume of applications.

Official organisation website: https://www.chanceforchildhood.org/

Important: This is a senior country-leadership position, not an entry-level NGO job. Applicants should ensure they meet the stated education, management, fundraising and financial oversight requirements before applying.