Director Programmes

British Council Uganda Visit website

Full-time Expires In -1 month Kampala Duty Station - Kampala Master's Degree 1 year experience Education Management

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Job Details

The British Council Uganda is seeking a Director Programmes to lead the design, pursuit, delivery and evaluation of projects and programmes within the Non-Formal Education (NFE) portfolio in Uganda. This is a high-priority geography role contributing to the overall success of the global NFE portfolio and the Cultural Engagement strategy.

Location: Uganda - Kampala
Contract Type: Indefinite (Internal / External)
Department: Cultural Engagement
Pay Band: 8
Work Hours: 8 (Full-time)
Job ID: 49882
Posted: 20/08/26
Right to Work: You must have the legal right to work in Uganda
Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required
Salary: Not Disclosed

Role Purpose: This role supports the pursuit, design, delivery and evaluation of projects and programmes within the British Council's Non-Formal Education (NFE) portfolio through high-quality technical input and advice, developing and sustaining a portfolio of internally and externally funded projects and programmes, and researching and analysing sector trends and opportunities. It leads a mixed portfolio of British Council and externally funded NFE projects in Uganda, ensuring strategic alignment, high-quality delivery, and achievement of financial and non-financial targets. The role leads on the design and delivery of the NFE strategy for Uganda, contributing to the success of the global NFE portfolio and leading a mixed-income portfolio of projects and programmes that contribute to NFE and Education strategic priorities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Support delivery of the strategic ambition and framework for the non-formal education portfolio, spanning grant-funded Global Programme and global contracts business, ensuring alignment with wider British Council strategies and funder/partner demand
Lead the design and implementation of the NFE strategy for Uganda, ensuring alignment with the global NFE strategy and British Council and Cultural Engagement strategies and plans, including the CE business plan
Provide operational management and leadership across the in-country NFE team, driving successful development, delivery, impact (including MEL) and financial sustainability of a mixed portfolio of Non-Formal Education partnerships, programmes and contracts
Provide technical direction of the NFE portfolio in Uganda, ensure resource planning responds to portfolio needs, and ensure high-quality, consistent monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) across the portfolio, fostering coherent systems, shared practice and a strong culture of evidence-based delivery and learning
Support internal capacity building, ensuring teams can access appropriate, cost-effective learning and development opportunities to grow sector knowledge and skills
Lead business development for NFE in Uganda, maintaining a mixed, sustainable pipeline of high-quality, well-resourced opportunities
Lead and account-manage strategic client and partner relationships, identifying and securing new income-generating opportunities that contribute to agreed financial and impact targets
Own and build the country pipeline, leading, writing or quality assuring new proposals; deliver financial and non-financial targets for Youth Connect in Uganda
Foster an outcome-focused, accountable culture aligned with British Council values and EDI, and lead negotiation and structuring of local partnerships to protect British Council interests
Contribute to the visibility, reputation and brand of the British Council and the UK with clients, partners and governments, developing opportunities for new business
Use sector expertise to provide insight and content for corporate responses to public consultations, representing the British Council's perspective and demonstrating thought leadership in relevant external forums
Demonstrate expertise on behalf of the British Council and the UK in the sector, positioning the organisation with clients, partners, researchers and other technical experts
Ensure effective financial management and compliance, managing and delivering to target on budgets, profitability, timelines and corporate quality standards
Within agreed corporate procedures and schedules of delegated authority, manage and report on variances to plan, controlling principal local levers affecting cost and service, such as people, processes, resources and suppliers
Drive and embed a culture of corporate compliance, ensuring policies and procedures — including HR, Finance, Legal, EDI, anti-racism, safeguarding, data privacy and cyber security — are implemented and maintained across non-formal education work globally
Actively contribute to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of personal bias, taking action to mitigate it, and supporting colleagues' wellbeing and mental health

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

Education - Essential: Master's Degree or equivalent experience
Education - Desirable: Project Management qualification (recognised PPM qualification)
Deep technical knowledge of non-formal education and the ability to develop proposals in response to client/partner need
Strong programme and project management skills, including compliance
Experience in programme/project design, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) in an international development or education context
Proven business development and pipeline management experience, including proposal writing and client/partner relationship management
Financial and commercial management experience, including budget management, profitability and reporting
Stakeholder management, market positioning and thought leadership in the education/NFE sector
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), anti-racism and safeguarding; understanding and application of British Council's approach to EDI
Written and verbal proficiency in English is required
Must have the legal right to work in Uganda
Minimum experience of 12 months in a relevant role

About British Council Uganda

The British Council in Uganda is part of the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We uniquely combine the UK's deep expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language, our global presence in over 100 countries, and our unparalleled access to young people, creatives and educators.

For 90 years we have created opportunities for millions of people and developed deep and long-lasting relationships. In Uganda, we connect every year with thousands of students, educators, policymakers, academics, creatives and entrepreneurs. The focus of our work is on providing opportunities for young people through: supporting young people to achieve the education, qualifications and skills needed to reach their potential in future careers; and creating and developing new networks and platforms to give young people a voice in society. Our work spans three core areas: Arts (supporting creative industries through skills development, e.g. East Africa Arts and Selector Radio), Education (fostering dialogue between UK and Ugandan education institutions, e.g. Connecting Classrooms), and Society (facilitating dialogue and contributing to a more open, inclusive and prosperous world, e.g. Premier Skills and New Narratives). This Director Programmes role directly advances our education and society mission in Uganda, leading the Non-Formal Education strategy that benefits Ugandan youth.

The British Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and is a Disability Confident Employer, and to safeguarding children, young people and adults. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups is dependent on thorough safeguarding checks.

Job Summary

Job Category: Management, Education
Job Type: Full-time
Deadline of this Job: Thursday, September 3 2026 (11:59 PM IST / 09:29 PM EAT)
Duty Station: Uganda | Kampala
Posted: 2026-08-20 (2 days ago as of listing summary date)
No of Jobs: 1
Application Method: Apply online via British Council Careers Portal