Programmes Coordinator
Lively Minds - a very small but growing NGO - is looking for a passionate, creative and hard-working person to fill the following position. Lively Minds aims to improve the lives of children in deprived rural communities through creative & low-cost early childhood development programmes that are run by communities themselves. We run two projects which share a common philosophy and similar methodologies. We train and support illiterate mothers from deprived communities to run educational Play Centres for pre-school children. We also train mothers to run Reading Schemes for lower primary children. Both projects focus on empowering communities so that they can provide participatory, discovery-led and creative learning opportunities using their own resources.Employment type: Full time
Country: Uganda
Location: Jinja
Job category: NGO/Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
Min. years of experience: 5 years
Required languages: English
Required IT skills: MS Office (in general)
Minimum degree: Bachelors degree
Closing date: March 16, 2013 - 7pm
The Programmes Coordinator is responsible for the smooth running of all activities and programmes
Key activities:
- To develop, implement and track annual, monthly and weekly workplans so that annual targets are met.
- To plan all programmes/activities rigorously before all field visits - identifying SMART objectives, ensuring staff members understand roles and responsibilities, incorporating recommendations from previous activities - so that programmes can be delivered to the highest standard
- To implement programmes in the field to the highest quality, in accordance with plans, training and the vision, mission and values of Lively Minds (where necessary coaching other staff members)
- To subject all programmes and activities to continuous review- identifying strengths and weaknesses and where necessary to proactively make practical recommendations to improve programmes.
- To monitor and evaluate all programmes in accordance with agreed measures so that Lively Minds can assess and measure the impact of its work, identify any risks at an early stage, and take remedial action
- To assist the Country Manager build and maintain relationships with beneficiaries, donors, NGOs and stakeholders.
- To keep the Country Manager, International Director, funders and stakeholders consistently up to date with activities by providing all necessary reports and ensuring that good records of activities and impact are kept and maintained. To proactively communicate problems or risks
- To assist the Country Manager in running the office – ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively, that systems and processes are followed and that there is absolute accountability
Minimum Education level required:
Teaching qualification is essential. Minimum of 5 years experience in a teaching position. Experience of working in deprived rural communities and/or early childhood develop
Skills/competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal skills- can work effectively with vulnerable women and children in communities as well as colleagues
- Planning and co-ordination skills – can plan and organize time and resources effectively, working to strict deadlines
- Excellent communication skills - can keep to clear, consistent messaging and is able to coach others to do the same
- Critical reasoning and problem-solving - can analyse risks and find creative solutions to issues as they arise
- Team management - good influencing skills over immediate colleagues (Lively Minds Team) and stakeholders
- Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English and Luganda/Lusoga
- Proficiency in Microsoft word and Excel.
- Driving licence (must be able to ride a motorbike)
How to apply:
Interested applicants who meet the above criteria should send their CV, together with a cover note answering the following questions to jobs@livelyminds.org. Questions for cover letter: 1. Why is early childhood development important? 2. What are the barriers to early childhood development in rural communities? 3. Give an example of a time when you have found a way to solve a problem using only small amounts of money. 4. Why do you want to work for Lively Minds Uganda?
