Head of Programmes

• Job TitleHead of Programmes
• OrganisationWaterAid Uganda
• Reports ToCountry Director
• LevelSenior Management Team
• LocationKampala
• Experience10+ years, 7 in senior management
• Deadline6 November 2026, 12:00 GMT

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit founded in 1981 and focused solely on clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, working with communities in 22 countries.

WaterAid Uganda has worked in the country since 1982 and aims for everyone in Uganda to have clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene by 2040, working with government, civil society and communities.

The Head of Programmes leads WaterAid Uganda’s growing WASH portfolio, focused on public health centres and climate resilience, and makes sure every programme meets WaterAid’s quality standards and donor rules.

Programme Leadership

• Lead the programme team to deliver WASH programmes across Uganda.
• Lead the Climate Advisor, Public Health Advisor, Programme Managers and partners on technical quality.
• Develop the country WASH strategy for public health and climate change resilience.

Design, Budgets and Quality

• Lead design of quality projects, proposals and donor reports.
• Develop operational plans and budgets and monitor spending with the Head of Finance.
• Ensure programmes follow WaterAid delivery approaches, quality standards and donor guidelines.

Partnerships and Influence

• Build a partnership strategy with ministries, agencies, CSOs and communities.
• Represent WaterAid in national and international WASH, public health and climate forums.
• Use programme evidence to influence policy, practice and systems change.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in a WASH-related field such as public health, environmental science, water resources engineering or international development.
• Minimum 10 years’ professional experience, at least 7 in senior management at a reputable NGO.
• Minimum 7 years managing and implementing WASH programmes, ideally in public health or climate resilience.
• Strong knowledge of WASH principles with a focus on climate adaptation and mitigation.
• Proven programme management, partnership building and policy influencing experience.

Technical Skills

• WASH programming: Public health and climate.
• Strategic planning: Country strategy.
• Budget management: Value for money.
• Proposal design: Donor-ready.

Soft Skills

• Leadership: High-performing teams.
• Influence: Government and donors.
• Integrity: Safeguarding first.
• Resilience: Deadlines and pressure.

Fixed-term contract, renewable based on performance and funding, with competitive salary and benefits. The exact salary is not stated.

• Senior Management Team seat.
• Lead national WASH work.
• Respected global NGO.
• Kampala-based.
• Senior pick among NGO jobs in Uganda.

Apply through WaterAid’s careers page (Workable): click Apply, answer the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and a cover letter in English, both essential. Applications close at 12:00 GMT (3:00 PM Kampala time) on Friday, 6 November 2026.

You must show you are eligible to work in Uganda, and WaterAid runs background checks before hiring. WaterAid advises against using AI tools in your application. See more NGO jobs in Uganda.

• Show WASH programmes you led.
• Quantify budgets and teams.
• Highlight climate resilience work.
• Write your own cover letter.
• Apply before 6 November.