Programme Officer – We Can Work

Job Details

Light for the World, with funding from Mastercard Foundation, is implementing the 8-year regional signature disability programme "We Can Work" that uses a systems and mindset change approach to enable at least 1,000,000 young women and men with disabilities to access dignified and fulfilling work across Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria, working with umbrella Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and Entrepreneurship Hubs. The Programme Officer supports the Programme Manager in overall coordination, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and learning of the programme in Uganda and coordinates the We Can Work Academy as a core delivery platform. Place of work: Kampala, Uganda. Duration: Full-time (40 hrs/week), fixed-term. Starting date: October 1, 2026.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Programme Planning, Coordination and Implementation Support (20%): Support Programme Manager in planning, coordination and implementation; develop and support implementation of DIPs, annual work plans, concept notes, purchase requests and activity-based budgets; coordinate community engagement, co-creation and inclusive employment ecosystem strengthening; follow up on action points, timelines and deliverables; identify implementation challenges, risks and corrective actions.
• We Can Work Academy Technical Coordination and Support (30%): Lead technical coordination and day-to-day implementation of the Academy with Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs), Core Life Skills (CLS) providers and Disability Inclusion Facilitators; coordinate cohort planning per targeting strategy; ensure timely logistical arrangements with focus on accessibility, reasonable accommodation and assistive technology; link with expert organisations for assessment and specialised modules; coordinate Disability Inclusion Facilitators as co-trainers; coordinate trainers, mentors and service providers for CLS, entrepreneurship and employability pathways; coordinate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and participant-led initiatives; support transition into employment/entrepreneurship pathways and alumni engagement; provide technical support and follow-up to ESOs and CLS providers.
• Entrepreneurship Activity Coordination: Technical Skilling and AgriTrack (20%): Coordinate technical skilling and AgriTrack activities includingIdentification and management of training partners and market-driven opportunities; provide technical oversight and quality assurance for skills training, mentorship, coaching and business development support; facilitate linkages to markets, financial institutions, suppliers and BDS providers; review business plans and validate milestones; lead inclusive access-to-finance initiatives including VSLAs, SACCO and microfinance linkages; coordinate climate-smart agriculture and livestock enterprises; support establishment and graduation of inclusive VSLA groups; ensure safeguarding, disability inclusion and gender equality; monitor performance and document lessons learned.
• Partnership Management, Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement (10%): Support management of relationships with OPDs, ESOs, CLS providers, district local governments, private sector and strategic stakeholders; jointly implement strategic activities; monitor partner implementation through field visits; ensure alignment with programme design and partnership agreements; prepare monitoring reports; promote collaboration with other Light for the World programmes; represent organisation in meetings and working groups as delegated.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, Adaptation (MERLA) and Reporting (10%): Ensure regular monitoring and quality assurance including Core Life Skills; monitor Academy attendance, participation, retention and progression; maintain beneficiary databases with MERLA team; support data collection including assessments and pre/post-tests; document achievements, case studies and success stories; prepare timely monthly, quarterly and donor reports; ensure filing for accountability, audits and evaluations; take quality action photographs and collect visibility materials.
• Budget Management, Compliance and Risk Management (5%): Support development of budgets and work plans; monitor budgets particularly for Academy and CLS activities; liaise with Finance Officer on budget versus expenditure; ensure compliance with donor requirements, organisational policies and partner agreements; identify operational and financial risks and support mitigation.
• Knowledge Management and Learning (5%): Document innovative approaches and good practices; support internal learning and reflection sessions; contribute to continuous improvement based on evidence and emerging needs.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work and Social Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in programme implementation and grant management within a similar INGO or recognised NGO, preferably involving donor-funded projects.
• Experience in youth employment, livelihoods, entrepreneurship, Core Life Skills delivery, or inclusive economic empowerment programmes.
• Strong understanding of disability inclusion, barriers faced by persons with disabilities, and practical approaches to addressing those barriers.
• Experience working with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), government institutions, private sector actors, or community-based organisations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership management, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with government structures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to coach, support, and transfer knowledge in an accessible and inclusive manner.
• Strong planning, coordination, budget monitoring, and problem-solving skills.
• Innovative and critical thinker with willingness to learn and adapt.
• Proficiency in MS Office software packages.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of integrity, accountability, professionalism, and honesty.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to field locations.