Programme Operations Director job at World Vision International

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Responsibilities or duties

The World Vision Uganda Programme Operations Director is responsible for all operational departments within the national program, including Regional Operations, Sectoral Programs, Technical Programs, Transformational Development, Faith & Development, and Sponsorship Operations. The Programme Operations Director is responsible for an annual budget of approximately US$ 40 million, from at least 18 different donor sources, both government and non-government/private. The position directly supervises 8 staff and approximately 400 staff indirectly.

More fundamentally, this role is entrusted with Program Management and Execution on time, on budget, and on target to ensure programmes and projects are implemented within the budget, scope, and on time to the donors and participants expectations. The Programme Operations Director is responsible for strategic leadership and results-based management of World Vision Uganda’s field operations, including line-management of all sponsorship-funded programs, grants, and PNS projects, technical programs, Sponsorship Operations, and Faith & Development initiatives.

Key Job Responsibilities:

(a) Strategic Management

• Stay abreast of, analyse, and advise the National Director on trends in programming, operational, country, and donor environments to facilitate strategic decision-making and planning.
• Provide leadership in the development, application, and monitoring of strategies and plans, in alignment with WVU’s 5-year strategic plan and global “Our Promise” strategy framework.
• Ensure all Operations departments, programs, and projects reflect WV’s Integrated Focus and support World Vision Ministry Objectives.
• Ensure rolling multi-year growth plans for Area Programs (APs) and other programs are maintained, taking the lead in negotiations with World Vision (WV) Support Offices.
• Pursue strategically aligned and proactive resource acquisition in order to ensure program commitments can be fulfilled.

(b) Programme Implementation, Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Build team unity through good collaboration. In particular, build strong and trusting bridges between the Operations, Program Development, and Impact
• Clear matrix relationships exist at the National Office Operations Division and each Regional Office to promote strong collaboration, especially in the implementation of integrated programmes
• Develop and manage systems that ensure all programs are incorporating quality designs and achieve outputs that make a significant difference in the communities where WVU works.
• Ensure integration between projects and programs is made a priority at all levels within the Operations Division, and that the integration synergy is realized.
• Ensure all projects and programs integrate child well-being outcomes (CWBOs) and make a measurable contribution to child well-being.
• Ensure Project Managers are meeting the highest quality standards of grant management & compliance.
• Support/manage innovations and new initiatives in order to improve program quality and impact (enabling organizational learning and reflection).

(c) Financial Management/Grant Management

• Ensure financial management aligns with donor commitment and compliance expectations.
• Ensure all projects remain within budget, and also do not underspend more than 5%.
• Oversee Operations Division compliance with the Field Financial Manual (FFM), including ensuring proper accounting systems and practices.
• Ensure the provision of appropriate responses to all audit report findings. Ensure that audit finding implementation plans are developed and effectively rolled out.
• Ensure fraud-related investigation reports are taken very seriously, with appropriate resulting actions based on a “zero tolerance” philosophy.
• Oversight of the grant management unit, ensuring that effective financial management and accountability are applied to all grant-funded projects.

(d) Team Leadership & Building a High Performance Team

• Build cooperation, team spirit, and a supportive, learning environment within the Operations Division
• Ensure effective capacity building of Divisional staff (in line with 70/20/10 principles) in key programming areas (including LEAP and Technical Program requirements). In addition, actively work on leadership development through the process of capacity building and coaching.
• Actively participate in the development of key positions (JDs/Performance Agreements) and ensure top-class recruitment is undertaken. Seek to build an Operations Divisional team comprised of top-class actors performing at the highest level.
• Facilitate an appropriate environment for the spiritual formation of staff, including the embracing of WV’s Vision, Mission & Core Values.
• Participate in and lead where appropriate devotional meetings, weekly chapel, annual Day of Prayer, and other events.

(e) External Stakeholders Relationship & Management

• Support the National Director in representing World Vision to donors, line ministries, and partner organizations.
• Ensure that the communications and representation of WVU with WV Support Offices, international donor organizations, and major donors from and by Operations staff is of the highest quality and transparency.
• In coordination with the National Director and programme staff, participate in national-level coalitions on specific advocacy issues.
• Network with external agencies (donor agencies, govt. departments, SOs, IOs, other NGOs, etc.) in order to effectively represent WVU.
• Through oversight of the grant management unit, proactively engage in donor relations. This will include addressing issues as they occur in order to retain donor confidence in WV.
• Encourage the full and appropriate external expression of WV’s Christian identity

(f) Internal Coordination/Contribution to Overall WVU Management

• Actively participate in the World Vision Uganda Senior Leadership Team, board committees/main board meetings, and the Strategy Support Team (SST).
• Ensure strong collaboration between the Operations and Program Quality Divisions, as well as support functions such as Finance, Admin/Procurement, P&C, ICT, Communications, and others.
• Ensure effective liaison with Vision Fund Uganda (VFU) and actively manage the integration of VFU microfinance services with WVU’s overall operations.
• Any other role may be assigned by the supervisor due to changing context or business operations

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Experience needed

• At least 15 years of program management experience in an international development organization.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior NGO leadership role in a developing country.
• Master’s Degree in international development or a relevant field such as social science, public health, or business administration.
• Certification in Project Management Courses will be an added advantage, and extensive knowledge of NGO operations and donor projects management.
• Previous experience working in East Africa regions or similar contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in program or project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and report writing.
• Has successfully initiated & implemented significant organizational change.
• Experience in organizational representation with government, donors, & International Organizations in order to strengthen relationships and

• Stay abreast of, analyse, and advise the National Director on trends in programming, operational, country, and donor environments to facilitate strategic decision-making and planning.
• Provide leadership in the development, application, and monitoring of strategies and plans, in alignment with WVU’s 5-year strategic plan and global “Our Promise” strategy framework.
• Ensure all Operations departments, programs, and projects reflect WV’s Integrated Focus and support World Vision Ministry Objectives.
• Ensure rolling multi-year growth plans for Area Programs (APs) and other programs are maintained, taking the lead in negotiations with World Vision (WV) Support Offices.
• Pursue strategically aligned and proactive resource acquisition in order to ensure program commitments can be fulfilled.
• Build team unity through good collaboration. In particular, build strong and trusting bridges between the Operations, Program Development, and Impact
• Clear matrix relationships exist at the National Office Operations Division and each Regional Office to promote strong collaboration, especially in the implementation of integrated programmes
• Develop and manage systems that ensure all programs are incorporating quality designs and achieve outputs that make a significant difference in the communities where WVU works.
• Ensure integration between projects and programs is made a priority at all levels within the Operations Division, and that the integration synergy is realized.
• Ensure all projects and programs integrate child well-being outcomes (CWBOs) and make a measurable contribution to child well-being.
• Ensure Project Managers are meeting the highest quality standards of grant management & compliance.
• Support/manage innovations and new initiatives in order to improve program quality and impact (enabling organizational learning and reflection).
• Ensure financial management aligns with donor commitment and compliance expectations.
• Ensure all projects remain within budget, and also do not underspend more than 5%.
• Oversee Operations Division compliance with the Field Financial Manual (FFM), including ensuring proper accounting systems and practices.
• Ensure the provision of appropriate responses to all audit report findings. Ensure that audit finding implementation plans are developed and effectively rolled out.
• Ensure fraud-related investigation reports are taken very seriously, with appropriate resulting actions based on a “zero tolerance” philosophy.
• Oversight of the grant management unit, ensuring that effective financial management and accountability are applied to all grant-funded projects.
• Build cooperation, team spirit, and a supportive, learning environment within the Operations Division
• Ensure effective capacity building of Divisional staff (in line with 70/20/10 principles) in key programming areas (including LEAP and Technical Program requirements). In addition, actively work on leadership development through the process of capacity building and coaching.
• Actively participate in the development of key positions (JDs/Performance Agreements) and ensure top-class recruitment is undertaken. Seek to build an Operations Divisional team comprised of top-class actors performing at the highest level.
• Facilitate an appropriate environment for the spiritual formation of staff, including the embracing of WV’s Vision, Mission & Core Values.
• Participate in and lead where appropriate devotional meetings, weekly chapel, annual Day of Prayer, and other events.
• Support the National Director in representing World Vision to donors, line ministries, and partner organizations.
• Ensure that the communications and representation of WVU with WV Support Offices, international donor organizations, and major donors from and by Operations staff is of the highest quality and transparency.
• In coordination with the National Director and programme staff, participate in national-level coalitions on specific advocacy issues.
• Network with external agencies (donor agencies, govt. departments, SOs, IOs, other NGOs, etc.) in order to effectively represent WVU.
• Through oversight of the grant management unit, proactively engage in donor relations. This will include addressing issues as they occur in order to retain donor confidence in WV.
• Encourage the full and appropriate external expression of WV’s Christian identity
• Actively participate in the World Vision Uganda Senior Leadership Team, board committees/main board meetings, and the Strategy Support Team (SST).
• Ensure strong collaboration between the Operations and Program Quality Divisions, as well as support functions such as Finance, Admin/Procurement, P&C, ICT, Communications, and others.
• Ensure effective liaison with Vision Fund Uganda (VFU) and actively manage the integration of VFU microfinance services with WVU’s overall operations.
• Any other role may be assigned by the supervisor due to changing context or business operations

• At least 15 years of program management experience in an international development organization.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior NGO leadership role in a developing country.
• Master’s Degree in international development or a relevant field such as social science, public health, or business administration.
• Certification in Project Management Courses will be an added advantage, and extensive knowledge of NGO operations and donor projects management.
• Previous experience working in East Africa regions or similar contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in program or project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and report writing.
• Has successfully initiated & implemented significant organizational change.
• Experience in organizational representation with government, donors, & International Organizations in order to strengthen relationships and