Head of Programmes

WaterAid; Iowa; On-site; USD 88,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

WaterAid Uganda is seeking a strategic Head of Programmes to lead nationwide WASH initiatives, aligning with national health objectives and donor expectations. You will supervise MEAL and technical staff, shape program design, ensure quality delivery, and foster effective collaboration with government, partners and communities.

You will report to the Country Director, sit on the SMT, and drive advocacy, learning, and innovation to strengthen climate resilience and public health outcomes across

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a discipline related to WASH or international development.
• 10+ years professional experience, with 7+ in senior management in NGOs.
• 7+ years in managing WASH programs, in health or climate contexts preferred.
• Strong knowledge of WASH principles, climate adaptation, and resilience.
• Proven program management, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent leadership and team-building abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Experience building partnerships with government, donors and CSOs.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to the Programme team to implement WASH programmes.
• Ensure high-quality technical support and capacity strengthening of staff and partners.
• Lead development of quality projects, proposals and donor reports.
• Oversee development of partnerships to sustain and scale impact.
• Represent WaterAid in forums to influence policy and practice.
• Develop country strategy for WASH and climate resilience aligned to WaterAid aims.
• Ensure programmes meet donor guidelines and value-for-money standards.
• Guide budgeting and cost management for programme portfolios.
• Drive evidence-based learning and advocacy at national levels.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

People management

Partnerships

Communication

Program management

Analytical skills

Advocacy

Education

Master’s degree in Public Health/Environment/Dev

Job description

Head of Programmes

Contract type: Fixed, Renewable based on performance and funding

Location: Kampala, Uganda

Salary and Benefits: Competitive salaries with excellent benefits

About WaterAid

We are a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the Team

WaterAid wants to use your skills inUganda to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and goodhygiene for everyone everywhere?

We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, we will encourage and empower you to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference.

Join WaterAid as Head of Programmes to change the normal for millions of people, helping them unlock their potential, break free from poverty, and change their lives for good.

About the Role

As our Head of Programmes, you will report to the Country Director. You will be a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and will supervise the Projects technical staff and MEAL staff.

You will have a close working relationship with members of the Senior Management Team, as well as relevant technical and operational teams across the organisation, such as Heads of other units, Project Coordinators, and Officers and any other staff and consultants that may be hired in WAU

The department also works closely with external stakeholders such as WAU Partners, East Africa Regional team, UK office, Donors, Government Officials – Local and National, Line Ministries, Civil Society Organisations, and other I/NNGO’s

In this role, you will:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the Programme team to effectively implement WASH programmes across the country. You will develop and maintain an efficient, cohesive team, whilst ensuring effective coordination and relationships within WaterAid Uganda, other NGO’s, government, donors and beneficiaries.
• Ensure the provision of high-quality technical support and capacity strengthening through effective leadership of the Climate Advisor, Public Health Advisor, Programme Managers and partners, ensuring programmes are informed by current evidence, WaterAid standards and sector best practice.
• Lead the design of quality projects, proposals and reports that are responsive to grant funders requirements and speak to Country Programme’s strategic priorities, experience and lessons learned.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a partnership strategy to ensure that impactful and effective partnerships are identified, built and managed. You will work closely with government agencies, international partners, CSO’s and local communities to ensure the success and sustainability of WaterAid’s programmes
• Represent WaterAid in national CSO/NGO’s, donor, and government (and international) forums related to WASH in Public Health and Climate Change so as to influence thinking of other stakeholders on effective delivery and build WaterAid’s reputation as a sector leader.
• Develop a comprehensive country-level strategy for implementing WASH programmes in alignment with the strategic AIMS of public health and climate change resilience. The focus will be on leading the growing WASH portfolio, which is focused on building quality and capacity of public health centers, whilst advancing the technical quality of climate resilience portfolio of projects.
• Accountable for ensuring all programmes are integrated with WaterAid programme delivery approaches and adhere to programme quality standards. This includes best practices, donor guidelines, fostering needs-driven innovation to improve effectiveness and impact with the purpose of enhancing evidence-based standards and international best practices.
• Develop operational plans and budgets for the implementation of programmes. Manage and monitor expenditure against budgets for strategic and annual plans in adherence to financial guidelines, ensuring value for money, and acting as appropriate within delegated authorities.
• Lead the provision of technical and strategic direction and support in climate change and public health programme activities. This includes strengthening the public health sector’s participation in the Climate Change Agenda by placing human health issues at the center of climate discussions at the national, regional and global fora.
• Ensure programme evidence, innovation and learning are used strategically to influence policy, practice and systems change at national and sub-national levels; and advocacy and policy work complements and advances programming.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, CSO/NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure collaboration, coordination, and resource mobilization for WASH in public health and climate resilient projects.
• Work with Head of Finance and the assigned program budget holders for different WAT projects to ensure close management of relevant budgets and expenditures in compliance with donor guidelines and management account feedback.
• Champion WaterAid policies and maintain personal compliance with the Global Code of Conduct and associated policies.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitments to equity, inclusion and safeguarding

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Master's degree preferably in a discipline directly or closely related to WASH, such as Public Health, Environmental Science, Water Resources Engineering, or International Development.
• Minimum ten (10) years professional experience and at least seven (7) of which should be in a senior management position in a reputed international or national non -governmental organization (NGO) leading multisector development programmes that deliver transformational change.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in managing and implementing WASH programs, preferably in the context of either or both public health and climate change resilience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of WASH principles, strategies, and best practices, with a focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Proven experience in program management, including strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on innovation and creative solutions
• Competence in application of WaterAid common approaches to work including partnerships, convening, inclusion, systems strengthening, creating behavioral change, and mainstreaming gender and inclusion of youth.
• Proven ability to build collaborative partnerships and alliances for influencing government policy and programme delivery.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Excellent skill of leading and managing a high performing team, to drive excellence and change within a multi discipline team
• High personal integrity and ethical behaviour; flexible attitude, sense of transparency, proactive and has respect for gender, diversity and organizational cultural
• Commitment to modelling WaterAid’s values, on Accountability, Integrity, Respect Collaboration, Courage, and Innovation
• Result -oriented, agile and adaptable to a changing environment
• Should be able to draw confidence and support from others.
• Self-motivated with good interpersonal skills and capacity to work in a multicultural setting.
• Able to work with and across the organisation and other teams effectively.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure

Closing Date

Applications will close 12:00 GMT Time on Friday 6th November 2026.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening

To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Uganda. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the Ugandan laws.

Our Benefits

As an organisation WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. So, in addition to our inspiring global mission and engaging work environment, we have a generous benefit package to help you take care of your health, happiness and wellbeing.

Our Global Commitment

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding

We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. As a safeguarding measure, WaterAid conducts background checks on all potential employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.