Programme Officer - Climate Adaptive Programming

Program Officer – Climate Adaptive Programming

Country/Region: Uganda

Location: Gulu

Organization: Save the Children International 

Join us to lead sustainable change for children:

• Be part of a GLOBAL and DIVERSE technical community
• Get EXPOSURE in many different contexts
• Test and scale up INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
• Influence policies that affect MILLIONS OF CHILDREN

OVERVIEW 

Are you passionate about being an advocate for children? Do you want to use your expertise to bring about lasting change for children and be a part of an inspiring, dynamic global movement?

THE ROLE:

The program officer – climate adaptive programming will provide technical oversight of the implementation of the NORAD framework’s Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation component ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming. He / She will ensure high-quality implementation and continuously work towards ensuring that activities of Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation lead to desired impact.  The position holder will facilitate implementation of multi-sectoral, integrated resilience and climate change adaptation programme in either Karamoja or Northern Uganda working closely with District Local Government (DLG) while using the community capacity and systems strengthening approach.  He/ She will provide technical guidance and ensure integration of resilience building, productive safety nets, disaster-risk reduction, and preparedness in education, child protection and child rights programming.  The program officer will ensure good relations and coordination with the community, District Local Governments (DLGs) and other stakeholders. He/ she will be responsible for creating synergies with other programme interventions, including those implemented by DLGs and other development partners. 

The job holder may be called upon as and when necessary to support the emergency team in cases of humanitarian crisis.

Sounds interesting? Read more below

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the team, and in line with Save the Children strategy, policies and procedures:

Planning:

• Develop climate change monthly and quarterly work plans that are aligned to the DIP and budget 
• Lead planning efforts at community and district levels so as to ensure effective and efficient resource tracking and use in line with approved project plans and budgets and within the complete project cycle. 
• Participate in planning efforts and ensure effective integration of climate change and adaptive programming activities. 
• Work closely with other project teams on Education and child protection to ensure the climate adaptation and mitigation activities are well aligned, coordinated and implemented in a holistic manner. 
• Participating in guiding on the education, training and public awareness programmes on climate change.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Support development of a programmatic approach to integrate climate risk management in the NORAD framework documents.
• Take active role in unpacking and rolling out new climate change initiatives/innovations with staff, community and partners. 

Implementation:

• Providing technical guidance and support in the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
• In line with approved monthly, quarterly and annual work plans, ensure 100% implementation of climate change and mitigation activities within the designated area of operation and in accordance with the project proposal, SCI policies and operational guidelines. 
• Assisting in the establishment and maintenance of the relationship with national, regional and international organizations, institutions and agencies.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Develop and foster local partnerships with other organizations to meet program goals
• Ensure active participation of beneficiaries/stakeholders throughout all stages of project cycle - assessment, design, implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation and transition. 
• Support the implementation of the accountability and learning framework for the organization
• Participate in the filling of the monthly activity target tracker and quarterly Indicator Performance Tracking Table Tracker
• Identify areas for capacity building and follow-up on implementation of action plans
• Document best practices and most significant stories under education 
• Implement project sustainability and exit strategy throughout the period of the project.
• Monitor and follow up the Project Partner’s activities and ensure their timely delivery of the Planned activities
• Support proper documentation of the project activities –case studies, best practices and unique experiences for sharing and learning to Line Manager. 
• Regularly monitor project activities, including quality benchmarks as per the MEAL plan. 
• Submit monthly reports (progress against planned activities, expense against estimated budget) of project activities to the line manager as per agreed schedule.
• Ensure appropriate filing and availability of documentation required for internal and external communications, accountability, audits, evaluation purposes and reporting
• Monthly take pictures of project implementation and share with the PM.
• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches and advises on linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Lead the development of program learning; identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in the area of Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation.
• Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices
• Build capacity and provide direct backup technical support supervision to partners and other community resource persons engaged in the project, in collaboration with the district technical staff. 
• Participate and contribute to project reviews as required
• Contribute to intervention design, including building linkages within the different thematic components.
• Review and provide input to reports, briefs and other documents. 
• Organize and participate in organized program meeting to build synergy and collaboration. 

Roll-out of the Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Support the implementation of the accountability and learning framework for the organization
• Participate in the filling of the monthly activity target tracker and quarterly Indicator Performance Tracking Table Tracker
• Identify areas for capacity building and follow-up on implementation of action plans
• Document best practices and most significant stories under education 
• Implement project sustainability and exit strategy throughout the period of the project.
• Monitor and follow up the Project Partner’s activities and ensure their timely delivery of the Planned activities
• Support proper documentation of the project activities –case studies, best practices and unique experiences for sharing and learning to Line Manager. 
• Regularly monitor project activities, including quality benchmarks as per the MEAL plan. 
• Submit monthly reports (progress against planned activities, expense against estimated budget) of project activities to the line manager as per agreed schedule.
• Ensure appropriate filing and availability of documentation required for internal and external communications, accountability, audits, evaluation purposes and reporting
• Monthly take pictures of project implementation and share with the PM.
• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches and advises on linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Lead the development of program learning; identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in the area of Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation.
• Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices

Technical Support and back-stopping

• Build capacity and provide direct backup technical support supervision to partners and other community resource persons engaged in the project, in collaboration with the district technical staff. 
• Participate and contribute to project reviews as required
• Contribute to intervention design, including building linkages within the different thematic components.
• Review and provide input to reports, briefs and other documents. 
• Organize and participate in organized program meeting to build synergy and collaboration. 

Budget Monitoring responsibility:

• Monitor daily expenditure so as to ensure project budgets are spent within acceptable limits and timelines as per set and approved monthly, quarterly and annual budget forecasts. 
• Track budgets to avoid over and under expenditure and most importantly follow donor requirements. 
• Take due diligence in ensuring correct coding and verification of expenditure as per financial reports. Officer will review financial reports with support from Education Manager and Area Manager to ensure accuracy of reporting. 

Coordination and Collaborations 

• Provide coordination of all climate change and mitigation interventions at district and sub County levels in the areas of intervention. 
• Work closely with the District Department, other NGOs and Agencies to identify areas of collaboration as as well leverage district resources and achieve the desired impact. 
• Network with other Save the Children International Projects in their areas of operation to improve synergy and holistic approach climate adaptive programming

Reporting and documentation 

• Generate timely, consistent and accurate monthly and quarterly Progress reports.
• Actively participate in generation of semi-annual reports donor reports demonstrating clear contributing towards overall goals and intended outcomes.
• Participate in and share progress during weekly regional meetings 
• Document key success stories and areas of innovation for sharing on quarterly basis 

Partnership

• Continuously identifying and map potential implementing partners in their operational area and recommend potential partners for assessment where and when required.
• Support and monitor day to day partner implementation, identify capacity gaps and recommend for capacity building where possible.
• Documenting best practices and unique experiences for sharing and learning and field visits.
• Follow up with partner reports and accountabilities.
• Identify partner’s capacity gaps in different areas and share the information with the Line Manager.   
• Jointly implement strategic/ key activities with partners
• Monitor and follow up the project partners on the activities implemented to ensure that they are in line with the project design and planned project activities reflected in the SAA. 
• Innovatively support children to participate, own and benefit from the project interventions
• Mobilize and facilitate active participation of parents and their communities to participate in planning, monitoring and implementation of community development initiatives and supporting child education
• Build the capacity of children, their parents and the community to collectively engage local leaders on identified issues especially child protection

Empowerment and Project Impact

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

To be a strong supporter and advocate for children in this role you will need to have;

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in climate sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, natural resource economics, or related field.
• At least 4 years of relevant work experience related to the area of climate change, environment, disaster management and/or project/programme management.
• Experience working with government, donors or the UN previously is an asset
• Experience in policy analysis, development work in the area of climate change and related issues is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies of climate change is an asset.
• Experience in development planning and project management and implementation is a major asset.
• Good Motorcycle riding capability and possession of a valid riding permit is an asset. 
• Strong Knowledge and understanding of Climate adaptation and mitigation programming specifically in the context of Karamoja. Knowledge of climate adaption and mitigation in Education sector will be an added advantage. 
• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience supporting child centered climate adaptation and mitigation interventions is a plus. 
• Demonstrated understanding on resilience and livelihoods development activities. Ability to integrate different components of resources management in line with community development and livelihood resiliency development
• Ability to understand the links between sustainable development, community development, social and gender issues. Some experience with project development and results-based management methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, writing, advocacy, presentation, and communications skills. Some experience in programme design, monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
• Strong analytical skills and strategic planning abilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas, occasionally under strenuous conditions.
• Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Application Information:

 Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document not exceeding 5mbs to https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. 

Application closes on September 15, 2026, at midnight Uganda time. 

 Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent, persons with disabilities and female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

 Disclaimer: Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents. 

OUR DIVERSITY BELIEF 

Save the Children International is committed to create a truly inclusive, effective and representative organisational culture, encouraging equity and diversity among its employees and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We want our people to be truly representative of all sections of society. Having a diverse profile of employees, different age groups, backgrounds, cultures, disabilities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation etc., including a range of different experiences and capabilities helps us understand, represent and serve our beneficiaries better. We are guided by our values in everything we do, and recognise that being a diverse and inclusive employer helps us fulfil our responsibility to make a difference for children around the world.