Job Title:  Regional Project Manager

Organisation: Finn Church Aid (FCA)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Humanitarian Response Manager

Duration of the Assignment: 22 months

About the Company:

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish international aid organization. We operate in 12 countries, where the needs are most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background, or political convictions. FCA work is based on promotion of human dignity and fundamental human rights and freedom, and FCA’s operations are guided by equality, nondiscrimination, and responsibility.

Job Summary:   The Regional Project Manager will provide leadership and strategic oversight to the project in Uganda and close collaboration with the FCA Ethiopia Country Office, it’s Project Coordinator and the local partner, in Ethiopia, to ensure project coherence and integrity. This includes overseeing the implementation of an education-focused project at Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, primary schools, Accelerated  Education Programme (AEP) centres, including Accelerated School Readiness (ASR) programs in Ethiopia only (within IDP settings) and refugee settings in Uganda). The activities include teacher training, continuous peer support and psychosocial support to teachers, and collaborating with education authorities to recruit, onboard, and retain teachers. Key deliverables include managing project planning, budgeting, and monitoring to achieve timely, high-quality project outcomes in alignment with FCA policies and donor guidelines. This role requires collaboration with Settlement and District Local Government stakeholders in Uganda, and Regional Education Bureaus and other stakeholders in Ethiopia, to drive impactful, inclusive programming, while also engaging communities to promote teacher management and wellbeing. The role will represent the project in stakeholder meetings, advocate for educational improvements, and ensure compliance with child safeguarding and humanitarian standards. S/He will collaborate with the Grants team, and functional department heads for better programme delivery within the donor requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead participatory project planning with FCA Uganda team, Ethiopia Team, and the local partner and ensure effective, on-track implementation following FCA policies, donor guidelines, project results framework, budget, and work plan.
• Oversee project communications, ensuring timely, relevant, and accurate reports and updates to donor, Government, and other relevant stakeholders in accordance with FCA and donor branding guidelines.
• Oversee and manage the project budget, monitor expenditure, and maintain accurate projections to support efficient resources use, in coordination with finance teams, and ensure timely financial reporting aligned with FCA and donor standards.
• Support project teams in creating and implementing key management tools, including procurement plans.
• Develop and maintain a realistic work plan and schedule from high-level to short-term, defining detailed activity timelines and milestones to guide efficient implementation within the approved budget.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local education authorities and other education stakeholders to support project goals.
• Actively represent the project in sectoral meetings and fora, including with government, donors, and other key partners at various levels – settlement, district, regional or national levels where necessary.to advocate for and share project impact.
• Lead relevant partners, communities, and stakeholder in engagement efforts to promote education in refugee and IDP settings, facilitating community participation, retention, and advocacy for education.
• Work with the MEAL and project team to develop and review tools for monitoring project outputs.
• Conduct regular field monitoring and tracking of project progress to identify challenges, coordinating with local stakeholders and FCA staff and leadership to address barriers and stay on course.
• Actively initiate project design ideas and proposal development for relevant additional, modified, or complementary resource mobilisation processes.
• Participates in  project management meetings, including monthly budget performance meetings, and reflection forums.
• Manage all project reporting including progress and final reports, ensuring compliance with donor and organizational requirements, and submit deliverables on schedule. and contribute to the preparation.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree in education, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field (master’s degree preferred)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management within the education or humanitarian sector in crisis contexts
• Experience in implementing and monitoring formal and non-formal education projects in refugee or IDP settings, with an understanding of the challenges and best practices.
• Knowledge of teacher recruitment, onboarding, retention, and continuous professional development, especially in crisis-affected or refugee contexts.
• Proven track record of successfully liaising with donors, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, including experience with donor reporting and compliance.
• Specific experience managing EU funded projects is an added value.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of project, including using project management tools and preparing reports for various audiences.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills for working with government bodies, local education authorities and other NGOs.
• Basic understanding of humanitarian approaches and standards, such as INEE minimum standards.
• Model child safeguarding standards and ensures others involved in the project do as well.