Project Area Manager for Jinja – Busoga Trust

The Busoga Trust (BT) is a UK based water, sanitation and hygiene NGO operating primarily, but not exclusively, in Uganda. Started in 1982 it has constructed over 2,300 water sources in East Africa, serving over 1,000,000 people. The Trust derives its name from the Busoga region, where it started work and where it’s main base of operations continues to be.

The role of the Project Area Manager is to maintain and then build upon those 34 years of work and success.

Job Description
Position: Jinja Project Area Manager (and Liaison Officer) Reports to: Uganda Country Manager and to the Executive Director. Responsible for: Ensuring project work is carried out efficiently and to budget Based: Jinja, Uganda Salary: £1,000/month (including accommodation). You will also be covered by health insurance in Uganda. Hours: 40 hours per week Monday to Friday. Sometimes these may be longer and require some work at weekends.

Main Purpose of the Job • To implement a program of water source construction, sanitation infrastructure implementation and hygiene/health related education in target areas to a high and consistent standard. • To ensure that the program is done in accordance with an agreed work plan and budget. • Act as the UK Trustees’ Liaison Officer in Uganda, serving as their eyes and ears on the ground and providing any such information as they may require.

Key Relationships • Operational chain of command; Uganda Country Manager and Executive Director. • Donor liaison officer responsibilities, which require regular statistical feedback, website content development, budget planning and any other reporting as may be required. • To develop a good team spirit and supportive relationships with all staff, exercising skillful and motivating management. • Guests of the BT Guest House, including schools, universities and private travellers. • Liaise with Local Government officials, suppliers, development partners and stakeholders.

Scope of the Job • Ensure field activities are implemented on time through efficient planning and logistical management. • Provide regular reports to donors and Trustees on all operational aspects of the project. • Post and update website content for every beneficiary community/project. • Develop quarterly and annual work plans and budgets to meet targets successfully. • Build and maintain a strong working relationship with Local Government officials, keeping them abreast of project progress and seeking their feedback. • Represent BT at local, district and national levels in a professional manner. • Develop the capacity of staff both within your specific office and others. • Assist the Country Manager in the overall development of the organisation. • Ensure project staff are motivated and morale is kept high. • Supervise the management of the Guest House, its guests and the UK students. • To carry out other reasonable tasks as required.

BT offers a flexible leave allowance (though the Ugandan HR policy should be taken as a guide), one set of return flights & visa/work permit costs.

Person Specification
The ideal candidate will have management experience preferably in a developing country, excellent communication skills, strong planning and organisational skills, patience and a sense of humour. There is flexibility for the role to suit a less experienced person who is hungry to make a real difference and enjoy a formative time.

Knowledge/Qualifications • Educated to degree level (or equivalent). • Project management skills and the capacity to manage time and workload effectively to meet targets. • Able to absorb information quickly, understand it and then make decisions based upon it within a short timeframe. • Good working knowledge of IT; word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email and comfortable with illustrative media i.e. photo & video production. • Basic understanding of budgeting, financing and accounts. • Driving license (4wd off road experience preferable).

Experience • Experience of working at some level of management within a developing world context (preferably within a WatSan context but not essential). • Experience of communicating with parties in all levels of organisation in a manner most appropriate to the party concerned. • Experience of dealing with external stakeholders, including Government Officials.

Skills and Attributes • Strong leadership ability; possessing confidence, humility and integrity. • Highly motivated individual, a “self-starter” able to manage their own time, coordinate staff and other parties and balance an extensive range of tasks. • Excellent communication skills. • Strong planning and problem solving skills. • High frustration threshold and ability to cope with stress.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply to ukhq@busogatrust.co.uk Start date 16th May or thereafter.