Consultancy Description

Position Title:   Program Officer for Uganda

Reports to:       Regional Head of Programs - Africa

Position Classification: Consultant

The main objective of the Program Officer consultancy is to strengthen and manage Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) grantmaking in Uganda. The Program Officer for Uganda will be responsible for monitoring country strategies to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uganda, providing oversight and support to applicants and grantees, and reporting on results. As DRF and DRAF are learning organizations, the Program Officer will also contribute to the evaluation and refinement of internal processes, regularly integrating feedback to ensure alignment with best practice for funding disability rights and inclusive development in the Global South. 

The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) is a grantmaking collaborative between donors and the global disability rights community that empowers persons with disabilities to advocate for equal rights and full participation in society. We resource organizations led by persons with disabilities, primarily in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean, that are leading efforts to secure rights and inclusion for all. The Disability Rights Advocacy Fund is DRF’s sister organization, supporting advocacy for legislative change. The Funds – which are based on a participatory grantmaking model – make grants (USD $5,000-50,000 annually) to Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in the developing world to advance the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Disability Summit (GDS) Commitments.

·       Monitor, evaluate, and adapt the Uganda Country Strategy, tracking socio-political barriers and opportunities, the progression of disability rights and inclusive development, and the growth and diversity of the disability movement

·       Serve as the liaison to DRF/DRAF grantees and prospective grantees in Uganda, including national-level OPDs as well as grassroots and marginalized sectors of the disability movement 

·       Review grant proposals and conduct financial and critical analysis of proposals and applicant organizations, including fit of proposals to DRF/DRAF objectives and strategies 

·       Prepare concise written analyses of grant proposals and develop grant recommendations for DRF/DRAF Grantmaking Committees comprised of advisors and donors

·       Work closely with DRF/DRAF staff on administration of grants, identification of organizational and strategic support needed by grantees, development of technical assistance plans, and mitigation of risks

·       Provide grantees with organizational and strategic support and recommend helpful resources and/or experts as appropriate

·       Plan and implement bi-annual grantee convenings and regular site visits in Uganda

·       Analyze grantee reporting and evaluate progress as part of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

·       Support DRF/DRAF communications by documenting grantee achievements and disability rights advancements in Uganda

·       Develop professional relationships within the field of disability rights and other relevant fields to keep abreast of trends and inform DRF/DRAF grantmaking 

·       Build relations with development partners and key government stakeholders

·       Collaborate with the Regional Head of Programs for Africa, as well as the Program Director and other members of the Management Team, to develop and refine organizational and grantmaking strategies, including for monitoring and evaluation, Gender Guidelines Implementation, and safeguarding

·       Assist with other tasks, as needed

·       Bachelors degree or equivalent in human rights, development, or related fields

·       At least 5 years of relevant experience working in or with relevant civil society organizations, especially OPDs    

·       Experience supporting civil society to build capacities, especially to do advocacy utilizing international (and regional) human rights instruments 

·       Experience addressing achievement of rights and inclusive development, with preference for experience using the CRPD and SDGs

·       Experience in grantmaking for rights advocacy desired

·       Deep knowledge of and commitment to social justice issues facing persons with disabilities in the Global South

·       Demonstrated experience planning projects, managing time efficiently, and working well under deadlines

·       Proven capacity to combine the roles of objective evaluator and empathetic observer

·       Demonstrated capacity to complete work products independently (with the support of a Personal Assistant or other reasonable accommodations as requested)

·       Supportive, results-oriented team player and problem solver

·       Demonstrated ability to work well in a diverse professional environment, with colleagues from around the world of various backgrounds, including disability status, gender and SOGIESC identity, ethnicity, etc.

·       Willingness to travel to rural/remote areas in-country, as well as regionally and internationally 

·       Strong administrative and organizational skills

·       Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook); willingness to learn additional applications (and accessible technology) as necessary

·       Fluency in written and spoken English

·       Demonstrated ability to appropriately handle confidential information

·       Preference for Ugandan national

This is a full-time position; the salary will be commensurate with experience. 

Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references (including at least one previous supervisor) to: jobs@disabilityrightsfund.org

Deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with an expected hire in mid-2021.