Programmes Manager job at Mbuya Graduate Transition Centre

1. Organizational Context

Mbuya Graduate Transition Centre (MGTC) is a specialized Business Development Services (BDS) institution based in Mbuya, Kampala. MGTC provides competency-based transition support that enables graduates from secondary, TVET, tertiary and university pathways to move into employment, entrepreneurship or enterprise growth.

The Centre’s programme combines an intensive 8-week full-time immersive track and a 20–24 week hybrid track, supported by a common learning architecture, Peer Accountability Groups, career pathways and sector-based Innovation Labs. The model is designed to connect graduates more effectively with employers, markets, finance, mentors, practitioners and the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The Programmes Department is MGTC’s operational core, where the Centre’s design is actually delivered to graduates. The Programmes Manager exists because no single cohort can run reliably, at quality, and in compliance with Uganda’s National BDS Standards without one accountable operational owner coordinating facilitators, coordinators and the quality function around a shared delivery standard. The role addresses the risk that a detailed design as this collapses into inconsistent delivery once multiple Innovation Labs, facilitators and cohorts are running in parallel, and it contributes directly to MGTC’s strategic objective of consistent, measurable graduate transition outcomes.

2. Job Purpose 

The Programmes Manager is responsible for the effective delivery of the MGTC’s graduate transition programme from participant intake through graduation and post-programme follow-up.

The role ensures that cohorts are delivered on schedule, to the required quality standards and within approved resources, while maintaining a strong participant experience and ensuring that the programme produces measurable outcomes.

The Programmes Manager leads the programme delivery team, coordinates facilitators and Innovation Labs, oversees curriculum implementation and works closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Quality (MELQ) Lead to ensure that programme performance, learning and evidence inform continuous improvement.

3. Key Duties and Responsibilities

3.1 Programme Planning and Delivery

• Lead planning and implementation of MGTC’s full-time and hybrid programme cycles from intake to graduation.
• Ensure programme activities, milestones, curriculum and learning resources are delivered consistently and on schedule.
• Coordinate delivery across Innovation Labs, Career Pathways and Peer Accountability Group including Applied Projects, Industry Showcase/Demo Day and other key programme milestones are effectively delivered.

3.2  Participant Experience and Outcomes

• Oversee the participant journey from application and orientation through programme completion.
• Ensure effective participant support, coaching, pathway placement and wellbeing referral mechanisms while monitoring engagement, attendance, completion and satisfaction.
• Define and maintain participant entry and graduation criteria, ensuring they are applied consistently and stay aligned with National BDS Standards. 
• Oversee alumni engagement and post-programme coaching and follow-up systems.

3.3 Curriculum, Facilitation and Quality

• Ensure facilitators deliver the approved competency-based curriculum consistently and to the required standard.
• Coordinate facilitator planning, briefing, performance monitoring and development including identifying capacity gaps and providing coaching.
• Work with MELQ Lead to use participant feedback, assessments and quality-assurance findings to strengthen programme delivery.
• Ensure curriculum content and delivery approaches remain relevant to graduate and labour-market needs.
• Maintain documented delivery playbooks and standard operating procedures for facilitators and Innovation Labs, so quality holds as cohorts and labs run in parallel rather than depending solely on direct oversight. 

3.4 Programme Performance, MEL and Compliance  

• Monitor programme performance against approved plans, targets and budgets.
• Work closely with the MELQ Lead to ensure timely collection and use of programme data and evidence.
• Ensure programme documentation and reporting are accurate and timely.
• Ensure programme delivery complies with MGTC policies and Uganda’s National BDS Standards.

3.5 People Leadership and Cross-Functional Coordination  

• Lead and support the Programme Delivery Coordinator, MELQ Lead and facilitator network.
• Promote effective collaboration between programme, partnerships, finance, operations and technology functions.
• Identify capacity gaps and support staff and facilitators through coaching and professional development.
• Address programme delivery challenges promptly and escalate matters that fall beyond the decision-making authority to the Centre Director.

3.6 Stakeholder and Industry Engagement  

• Work with the Partnerships & Communications Manager to ensure employers, industry practitioners, mentors and other partners are effectively engaged in programme delivery.
• Coordinate employer and industry participation in the milestones owned under Programme Planning and Delivery (Applied Projects, Innovation Labs, Demo Day) and in graduate transition pathways.
• Maintain effective relationships with university and TVET referral partners.

3.7 Programme Budget and Resource Management

• Contribute to programme budgeting, forecasting and resource planning with the Finance & Operations Manager.
• Ensure programme expenditure is aligned with approved budgets and activities.
• Identify resource constraints early and work with relevant teams to address them.

4. Required Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in education, business administration, development studies, project/programme management, social sciences or a related field.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Professional qualification in programme/project management.

5. Professional Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, including significant responsibility for programme or project management.
• Demonstrated experience managing programmes from planning through implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating consultants, facilitators or implementing partners.
• Experience managing programme budgets and resources.
• Experience in education, employability, skills development, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, BDS or a related field.
• Experience working with private-sector, employer, education or development-sector partners is desirable.

6. Core Competencies

• Programme and project management
• Programme planning and delivery
• Team leadership and coordination
• Curriculum and learning management
• Monitoring, evaluation and results management
• Budget and resource management
• Stakeholder and partnership management
• Quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Strong written and verbal communication

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