Project Coordinator

DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as Project Coordinator. 

The overall purpose of the role:  

The Project Coordinator will oversee, coordinate and lead the implementation of a project funded by The Coca Cola Foundation. The project's goal is to enhance circularity in the plastic value chain, integrate marginalized waste collectors into formal systems, and create safer, decent jobs with a focus on: Recycling plastic and strengthening the circular economy, Empowering waste collectors by promoting dignified, safe work and Creating decent incomes through fair pricing and strengthening the plastic value chain for system-level economic advancement working with waste pickers, 50% of refugees and 50% host. The Project Coordinator will be the Ugandan lead and will be charged with ensuring that all project activities are comprehensively planned, implemented, monitored and adapted. He/she will lead field-level coordination with Ecoplastile, the local private sector partner, and ensure representation with field-level stakeholders across Kampala and the Southwestern regions. The position holder will report to the Head of Programme (Direct Supervisor) and will work closely with both Uganda and Kenya Economic Recovery teams, the DRC teams in Kampala and Southwest to design and implement environmental and livelihoods projects that improve the resilience of communities affected by displacement. 

Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

Management and Coordination 

• Coordinate with the Kenya team and ensure overall responsibility for the technical management of the project field-level activities in Uganda including overseeing implementation according to contractual objectives, ensuring the projects meets or exceeds agreed targets, annual planning and budgeting processes for the projects with full accountability to DRC. 

• Ensuring positive and collaborative working relationships with the implementing partner in line with DRC's Code of Conduct. 

• Facilitate collaboration across sectors and with key stakeholders, including government agencies, local partners, community leaders, INGOs and private companies including other recycling companies, to ensure that the project model is rolled out and well understood. 

• Participate in joint progress review sessions with Ecoplastile, other partners and the Kenyan team as well internal learning and review sessions to assess any adjustments needed to the project implementation plans and budget allocations.  

• Represent DRC publicly at the settlement and national-level, including in livelihood and resilience technical working groups with other agencies and stakeholders, and for providing the direct link in communications between DRC's field office and the Kampala office for all matters pertaining to the project. 

Implementation and Technical Support 

• Organize the implementation process of all set targets planned for the project with the Ecoplatile and the Kenyan Project team 

• Provide direct supervision to the project team based in Uganda. 

• Ensure that the project operation locations have updated monthly, and quarterly implementation plans.  

• Provide oversight of the project in compliance with economic recovery and protection principles and best practices, and DRC and donor regulations, while upholding rigorous project cycle management standards. 

• Provide technical assistance to Ecoplastile and other partners during training sessions, recycling, and small-scale entrepreneurship sessions with agents and waste pickers.  

• Ensure the timely and quality delivery of all organizational and project reports and staff contributions to organizational monitoring and evaluation requirements to ensure project quality, relevance and accountability 

• Proactively identify and raise with line manager any delivery risks related to implementation, and work with partners and relevant teams to implement action plans to resolve identified issues 

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the projects through active and ongoing participation in and contribution to strategic planning meetings and development of strategic documents and programme development to sustain programming opportunities.  

Program Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation  

• Together with the MEAL officer, maintain a system to monitor the implementation of project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan  

• Maintain a strong communication with implementing private sector actors to track progress, consolidate and review partner periodic reports of the project and communicate with all concerned  

• Ensure that reports are prepared and submitted to donors, in line with donor and organisational requirements 

• Capture and disseminate lessons learnt to contribute to national and regional knowledge sharing and advocacy efforts 

Budget Management 

• As Project Coordinator, monitor spends against budget for the project(s) assigned to you to mitigate risks associated with over or underspending. 

• Liase with functional heads across support services – Finance, Supply Chain and Human Resources to ensure all the information is available in readiness for Program Monthly Meetings. 

• Responsible and accountable for quality of project deliverables including meeting donor rules and guidelines while escalating identified risks to Senior Management Team 

About you 

To be successful in this role, you must have at least 5 years' experience leading the design and implementation of social and economic inclusion and livelihood programming Moreover, we also expect the following. 

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Development studies, Social sciences, International development, or related field. 

• A minimum of three years’ experience working in refugee contexts  

• Demonstrated experience integrating market and livelihoods assessments findings into program implementation strategies  

• Experience developing and integrating economic inclusion/livelihood strategies for people living in extreme poverty, preferably in a refugee context  

• Experience incorporating gender aspects into program design and implementation a significant plus  

• An understanding of circular economy/circularity, climate adaptive and climate mitigation measures in livelihood programming  

• A strong understanding of local administrative and government structures – familiarity with Uganda’s social, political, and economic context  

• Knowledge and experience in establishing or supporting Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLAs) and/or similar savings groups  

• Proven experience building staff and stakeholder’s capacity, through training including adapting/developing materials and facilitation guides  

• Ability to effectively manage competing deadlines. 

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and coordination skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams and with diverse stakeholders  

• Able and willing to be based in Kampala, Uganda with occasional travel. Travel to remote and isolated rural communities will be required within this role. 

• Excellent verbal and written English. 

• High degree of collaboration with program and partner staff and all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective communication and priority setting. 

• Experience with programming related to circular economy, climate, livelihood and resilience building programs  

• Demonstrated ability to innovate and take a flexible, problem-solving approach in complex humanitarian environments. 

• Strong project management skills and experience with donor reporting and proposal writing. 

• Familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms and key international standards. 

Desirable 

A Master’s degree in Economics, Development studies, Social sciences, International development, or related field. 

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:   

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.   

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.   

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.   

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.   

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. 

We offer 

• Contract length: 10 months

• Band: NM G1

• Designation of Duty Station: Kampala 

• Start date: October 2026 

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.  

Application process 

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. 

Closing date for applications: 19th September 2026 

NB: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible 

DRC does not solicit money for any part of its recruitment process. All recruitment is merit-based and follows HR best practices that are globally acceptable. Henceforth, should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it 

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo. 

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