Job Ad & Profile Description
Position : Resident Program Manager
RESIDENT PROGRAM MANAGER
Department : WSUP Advisory
Place of work : Kampala, Uganda
Duration : Full time, fixed term to 31 March 2026, subject to extension by mutual agreement
Salary : Competitive
Benefits : 25 days annual leave excluding national holidays, all applicable statutory contributions such as NSSF and service tax
Grade : 11
Reports to : MD WSUP Advisory
Right to Work
The applicant must have the right to live and work in Uganda.
About WSUP Advisory
WSUP Advisory CIC was established in 2015 as a wholly owned subsidiary of WSUP. Our mission is to expand the reach and impact of WSUP’s knowledge and approaches by providing a wide range of consultancy services geared towards meeting the water and sanitation needs of low-income urban communities.
WSUP Advisory helps service providers especially utilities, municipalities and private enterprises build their organisational capacity and implement viable business models to serve everyone. We work with local and national governments and regulators to create an enabling policy- and regulatory environment for services to the poorest customers.
Fundamental to our approach is a recognition that improving service provision requires organisational and systemic transformation :
- We approach each task by accepting that strong and viable service providers are the best means of benefiting everyone, including low-income customers;
- We build relationships of trust that enable us to work alongside these organisations when they undertake change and growth;
- We apply expertise in strategy, leadership, change management, business development, finance, policy and regulation alongside our core expertise in water and sanitation to address some of the complex issues that we are engaged to tackle.
Our services include :
Supporting operational improvement and organisational change for service providers,
Developing strategies and master plans and supporting their implementation
Business analysis, business planning and management development
Program and project delivery and management
Creation of the enabling policy and regulatory environment for services to the poorest customers.
We have successfully implemented projects for multi-lateral and bilateral organisations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, DFID, USAID,
KfW and the EIB; private foundations including the Conrad N Hilton Foundation; and NGOs such as IFRC, WaterAid, Oxfam, GOAL and SNV.
WSUP’s innovative approach to creating impact is guided by our values, which are the common fundamental beliefs and principles that guide us. All our staff are expected to embody these values in their day to day work and interactions.
WSUP Advisory in Uganda
WSUP Advisory has worked in Uganda since 2018. Starting with an initial grant to develop proposals for supporting the newly formed Mid-Western Umbrella for Water and Sanitation, we are now on our fifth grant project; all with funding from the Conrad N Hilton Foundation. Our work to support Umbrella Authorities has continued to grow and currently we are supporting both the Mid-Western and the Central Umbrellas for Water and Sanitation. We are also supporting the Ministry of Water and Environment in developing models, regulations and mechanisms for equitable supply to the poorest and most vulnerable households in small towns across Uganda and in sharing best practice amongst the Umbrella Authorities.
About the role
This is an exciting new role as WSUP looks to establish a longer-term presence in Uganda based on our success and impact to date.The Resident Program Manager (RPM) will contribute to the successful delivery of WSUP Advisory’s ongoing programs in Uganda;Manage all in-country aspects of the WSUP Advisory business including staff, consultants,Partners and suppliers; represent WSUP with key stakeholders and identify and contribute to business development activities to secure future projects in Uganda.The RPM will contribute to building WSUP’s profile and reputation through the delivery of successful projects and programs that align with WSUP’s vision and are based on WSUP’s approach to improving water and sanitation services.Main responsibilities & tasks
Strategic development of WSUP in Uganda
Act as the senior-most resident representative of WSUP Advisory and WSUP in UgandaBuild and maintain relationships with government, utilities, funders, national and international development agencies and partners.Contribute, through industry knowledge and market understanding, to the development of a strategy and business plan for a the establish of a WSUP program in Uganda.Manage funder and client relationships and host client visits and activities within UgandaProgram Management
Ensure that program activities and WSUP staff and consultants work in an effective, culturally sensitive and coordinated manner within and across grants.Working closely with the Program Director (PD) and the program controller (PC), contribute to updating program planning, progress monitoring and performance assessment.Maintain close coordination with partners (the Ministry and Umbrellas) to ensure that that their priorities, workload and capacity is reflected in program planning and design of support activities.Develop close and trusted working-relationships with Ministry and Umbrella staff, with other stakeholders in the program and with the wider development community supporting Umbrella AuthoritiesManage the activities of in-country sub-consultantWork with the PD and PC to identify, assess and develop management plans for program risks especially as they relate to in-country risks.3. Professional and technical inputs to programs and projects
Collaborate with and influence the Ministry, Umbrellas, other institutions and development partners to achieve the program outcomes, objectives and goal in accordance with the Theory of ChangeDefine, develop and manage workstreams and sub-projects within the program including the activities and outputs of team members and consultantsProvide expert professional inputs to programs and projects.Undertake training and capacity building activities.Business Development
Working closely with WSUP Advisory and WSUP colleagues, evaluate and pursue opportunities for future work for WSUP Advisory and WSUP.IIdentify new business opportunities, analyse the competitive environment, contribute to developing winning strategies, engage national partners and contribute to tenders, client presentations and client liaison and negotiations for new projects.General Management
Manage in-country operations including banking, office operations, vehicles and logistics and support staff as appropriate.Ensure that all consultants, partners and in-country staff are briefed on, and comply with WSUP’s policies and procedures in all program activities.Working with WSUP’s Head of People and Support and local advisors, assure that WSUP operations in Uganda meet all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.Manage business relationships with Employer of Record and with in-country legal and tax advisers.Line manage any WSUP staff employed in Uganda.Required profile for job ad : Resident Program Manager
Qualifications & Experience
A recognised and respected leader in the WASH sector in Uganda (A, I)Experience and track record in :managing programs and projects to achieve goals within time and budget (A)working as a consultant or advisor with well developed areas of technical expertise relevant to water and / or sanitation services (A)business development, including bids, tenders and grant applicationsExperience of working with water and / or sanitation utilities (A / I)Demonstrable track record of effectively building and sustaining key external and internal relationships at community and governmental level to realise tangible outcomes. (A)General management of consultancy or professional services businessUniversity degree in engineering, environmental science or related disciplineKnowledge
Good understanding of general- and operational-management for utilities or similar businesses (A / I)Understanding of consultancy business (I)Strong and well developed professional and technical skills demonstrated through practice and implementation of projects (A / I)Skills and abilities
Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills (I)Ability to influence at a senior management level and take a strategic outlook (I).Ability to empower, mentor and coach and to build organisational capacity (I / A)Collaborative, principled and a good team player (I / A)Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills (I / A)Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (I)Good communication skills : able to communicate complex concepts in a clear and concise way to non-technical managers both in writing and verbally and to provide professional advice confidently and tactfully. (I)Proficient user of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. (A)Other
Passionate about WSUP’s mission, values and ethos (I).Committed to adhering to and role modelling WSUP’s policies including Safeguarding, Health, Safety and Security and Business Ethics. (I / A)Desirable
Qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills
Business qualification, e.g. MBA or accountancy skillsExperience of organizational change managementExperience of engaging with and influencing senior policy makers, executives and politiciansKnowledge
Knowledge of WSUP’s approach to improving urban water and sanitation services (I)Knowledge of the consultancy business including project management, business development and team managementSkills and abilities
Ability to lead teams and organisationsStrategy development and business planningFacilitation skillsJob criteria for job ad : Resident Program Manager Job category : Management Industries : Social, public and human services Region : Kampala City : Kampala Educational level : Bachelor Key Skills : strategyassessmentstakeholder managementtime managementbusiness planleadershipchange managementstrategic developmentplanningmanagementgeneral management Number of Position(s) : 1 Be cautious! Do not send money to a potential employer. Do not pay any money for a potential contract of employment or for pre-employment training.
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