Programme Officer

Restless Development is a global non-profit agency. We support the collective power of young leaders to create a better world. We are independently registered and governed in nine countries (India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe) bound together by our vision for youth power. We run youth-led programmes to tackle the issues that young people care about the most –  We also coordinate the
Youth Collective a growing network of over 4000 local youth civil society groups and organisations in 185 countries. We are committed to creating an agency that walks the talk on power shifting, using the power shifting checklist, both internally and externally.

Our approach to safeguarding

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organisational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our
Safeguarding Policy.

About the project

The Promoting Youth Inclusion in Governance and Decision-Making Processes (YIGA) project is a three-year initiative (2025–2027) implemented under the broader PACER program. YIGA seeks to strengthen youth-responsive governance and improve public service delivery by enhancing youth participation in local decision-making and accountability processes across six districts in the Karamoja sub-region.

YIGA is built on the evidence that inclusive governance, particularly youth engagement can lead to improved public policies, stronger service delivery systems, and enhanced civic responsibility. The project addresses these issues through two mutually reinforcing outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Strengthened youth civic competence building the knowledge, skills, and awareness of young people to effectively engage in governance and accountability processes.
• Outcome 2: Enhanced capacity and responsiveness of local governments and community structures to address youth priorities and ensure inclusive, timely, and accountable service delivery.

About the Role:

The Programme Officer will be responsible for coordinating and implementing activities of the project, focusing on building the civic competence of youth in Karamoja. This includes strengthening their capacity to effectively engage in governance, policy advocacy, and decision-making processes.

The role involves training and supporting peer mentors, climate resilience champions, journalists, and youth leaders; co-creating civic content and policy briefs; and facilitating youth-led platforms such as leadership camps, civic education sessions, community dialogues, social audits, and national forums. The Programme Officer will ensure timely delivery of high-impact activities, foster meaningful youth participation, and support the creation of enabling environments for young people to influence policy and development agendas at district, regional, and national levels.

Job title: Programme Officer

Location: Moroto/ Kotido, Uganda

Salary: UGX47,084,760 Gross per Annum
Preferred start date: ASAP

Duration: 1 year

Reports to: Programme Coordinator

Direct Reports : Young Leaders

Expected travel: Regular domestic and travel to field offices

Key responsibilities

Programme Implementation, Reporting, and Learning

•  Support effective planning, coordination, and delivery of project activities in line with work plans, budgets, and donor requirements.
• Ensure quality implementation of youth engagement, capacity building, and civic education initiatives while capturing youth voices in reports.
• Track project progress, document learning and change stories, and produce timely reports aligned with M&E frameworks

Operations, Logistics, and Financial Management

•  Lead logistical and procurement processes for trainings, dialogues, and community activities while ensuring proper documentation and compliance.
• Manage financial planning, disbursements, and reporting for project activities, maintaining adherence to Restless Development’s financial policies.
• Provide welfare, safety, and mentorship support to youth advocates and peer educators, ensuring safeguarding and operational efficiency

Partnerships, Collaboration, and Communications

•  Strengthen collaboration with local governments, youth groups, and partners to enhance youth participation in governance and accountability.
• Coordinate youth-led events and social audits, amplifying youth voices in regional and national platforms.
• Support social media engagement and digital communications to showcase project impact, promote youth advocacy, and share learning.

Others (5%)

• Other duties as required, including occasional work on weekends

About you

We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate the personal qualities consistent with
our values.

Our value: HEART – We are who we serve. We are brave.

Behaviour:  Manages their time effectively to deliver quality against individual goals. Ensures value for money when utilising resources and efficiently processing finances.

Our value: HEAD – Delivers Quality. We are 100% professional.

Behaviour: Upholds the Restless Values at all times, demonstrating professionalism in their day-to-day work.

Our value: VOICE – We generate leaders. We are proud to carry the banner for youth-led development.

Behaviour: Actively seeks to develop their own leadership skills. Is seen as a leader to beneficiaries and other young people.

Our value: HANDS – We are in it together. We listen and learn.

Behaviour:  Actively listens and learns from those around them. Uses effective two-way communication to build rapport and relationships in the community.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Graduate-level Degree in relevant field of study (Environment, Climate, Advocacy, Social work, social sciences, development studies) or equivalent work experience.
• Past work experience in youth leadership and meaningful youth engagement.
• Past work experience in Governance and Accountability work, youth leadership and meaningful youth engagement is a MUST.
• A Ngakarimajong speaking candidate.
• Experience in making logistical arrangement for organizing events and meetings
• Experience in asset management and procurement.
• Excellent budget management skills and experience of finance management
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent computer skills, including Excel and Word
• Ability to solve problems and make sound operational decisions
• VALID RIDING PERMIT

Desirable

• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Experience in lobby and advocacy engagement.
• Experience in partnership management and working with a diverse range of partners.
• Experience working in a youthful, multicultural environment, including welfare provision.

Restless Development is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Restless Development will ensure that no applicant or staff member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, age, HIV status, disability, or any other factor that cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.

What we do for you

Remuneration

We are proud to commit to a transparent Global salary scale, ensuring a fair and comparable system of pay across all global locations. In addition to salary, we offer pension contributions and other benefits in accordance with the local Hub.

Values and Culture

At Restless Development, we’re proud that the strength and integrity of our Values has been recognised by staff, young people, donors and others who we work with.  Beyond this, we have a culture of recognising and celebrating both our Values and our global achievements with monthly Values Champions and an annual Values Day.

Work-life Balance

It goes without saying that we work hard at Restless Development. We also recognise the importance of helping staff to maintain a positive work-life balance.

Professional Development

Restless Development is proud to be an employer who recognises potential and invests in the development of its staff.  We are committed to the professional development of our staff through:

• Empowering opportunities to work on significant projects which stretch and inspire staff – allowing them to develop on-the-job.
• Regular performance management.
• Training and development opportunities, including supporting our staff to identify mentors both within and outside of the agency.
• Quarterly Staff Workshops for all staff to give and receive agency updates, receive training, and socialise.

Travel and Medical Insurance

When travelling abroad with work, all staff will be covered by Restless Development’s travel and medical insurance.