Job Title:   Project Officer 

Organisation: African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Organisation:

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious and non-profit making organization with the main aim of protecting and seeking durable solutions for Refugees and IDPs in Africa in partnership with UNHCR the UN refugee agency.

Job Summary:   Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Officer (PO) will support the Program Manager in executing AIRD’s strategic program objectives, program management, monitoring and evaluation, proposal development, fundraising, communication and reporting. This position requires collaboration with AIRD country offices, HQ departments, and donor agencies to enhance program quality, ensure compliance, and promote organizational learning. The Program Officer will play a critical role in contributing to program management, data management, proposal development, and facilitating knowledge sharing across the organization.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Assist the Program Manager in coordinating and overseeing the implementation of AIRD’s projects across country offices, ensuring that country programs align with organizational objectives, timelines, and budgetary resources.
• Track program milestones and deliverables, regularly reviewing progress with country teams to identify potential delays or challenges and propose adjustments to keep programs on track.
• Identify and assess risks related to program implementation, working with the Program Manager to develop mitigation strategies and address any emerging issues that may impact program success.
• Collect, consolidate, and analyze program data to support the preparation of accurate and insightful reports on project outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned for submission to donors, AIRD HQ, and other stakeholders.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Monitor, validate, and enhance the quality of program data across country offices, ensuring it meets organizational standards for accuracy and supports evidence-based decision-making.
• Assist in the design and operationalization of a comprehensive MEAL framework in collaboration with the Program Manager.
• Collect and document program achievements, learnings, and lessons learned to share across AIRD and with partners.
• Ensure all projects are documented and filed – must be complete, accurate and current.
• Compile and update monthly statistical information, tracking donor-funded activity and impact metrics, ensuring alignment with AIRD’s strategic goals and donor expectations.
• Conduct regular reviews to identify best practices and integrate them into ongoing programs.
• Assist the PM in monitoring routines and regular follow ups.

Proposal Development

• Collaborate with the Program Manager and funding teams to review and edit technical components of proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and AIRD standards.
• Support the Program Manager and funding teams by reviewing and refining proposal drafts, ensuring they meet donor compliance standards, align with AIRD’s strategic objectives, and reflect best practices in program design
• Assist in drafting and preparing sub-award proposals and amendments, ensuring that all components meet donor compliance standards and incorporate program goals, organizational strengths, and lessons learned from prior projects.
• Assist in maintaining an up-to-date proposal library and toolkit, including templates, donor guidelines, and past successful proposals to streamline future proposal development.

Country Program Reports

• Collect, review, and consolidate country program reports to ensure consistency, quality, and timeliness.
• Support country teams in enhancing report quality and completeness, incorporating data from all active projects and funding sources.
• Flag issues requiring follow-up from HQ, providing insights on country-level program implementation and performance.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

• Support ERP data management by ensuring accurate data capture and timely reporting for all modules.
• Assist the Programs team in extracting and reviewing monthly reports, consulting with country teams to resolve any discrepancies.
• Communicate any significant ERP to line manager

Fundraising and Communication

• In collaboration with the Strategic Partnership and Business Development Department;
• Assist in compiling impact-focused content, success stories, and case studies that highlight AIRD’s achievements and support fundraising efforts.
• Contribute to proposal development for donors and other stakeholders.
• Develop content for donor outreach, including updates, program highlights, and annual reports.
• Work with the Communications & Marketing team to craft engaging content for donor outreach, including program updates, highlights, and visual storytelling that underscore AIRD’s impact and mission-driven work in humanitarian and development settings.

Other Duties

• Oversee administrative duties within the programs team including database management and grants administration.
• Participate in special projects and tasks in consultation with the Program Manager.
• Support the development of case studies and success stories for fundraising and communication purposes.
• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing team to develop content for internal and external communication.
• Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress.
• Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques.
• Report and escalate to management as needed.
• Support the development and reporting of program risk management strategies.
• Perform risk management to minimize project risks.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. A master’s degree in a related field with 2 years of experience is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years in program management, monitoring and evaluation or a similar role within an INGO, ideally with experience in humanitarian assistance or development cooperation.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ERP software.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Languages: Proficiency in English (French proficiency is a strong plus).