Program Manager, Health Professional Education Specialist -PEP Uganda Program

Program Background

Amref Health Africa is implementing a regional three-year program (2026–2029) titled Enhancing Institutional Capacity for Education on Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMDs) in East Africa, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation under the Foundation’s flagship initiative called the Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP). The program seeks to strengthen institutional capacity for the delivery of quality education on cardiometabolic diseases across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Specifically, it focuses on enhancing the ability of universities and mid-level health training institutions to provide high-quality, inclusive training on the prevention and management of CMDs, which are an increasingly significant public health challenge in the region. Through a hub-and-spoke model, the program will establish and strengthen Centres of Excellence to spearhead curriculum reform, faculty development, adoption of digital and innovative teaching approaches, and advancement of education and implementation research.

JOB PURPOSE

The Health Professions Education Specialist will be the Program Manager and will provide strategic country leadership and overall coordination for the implementation of the Enhancing Institutional Capacity for Education on Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMDs) program under the Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP) in Uganda, while ensuring Uganda’s effective contribution to East Africa’s PEP outcomes. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, equitable, and sustainable health professional education interventions aligned with national priorities, donor requirements, and the PEP Theory of Change. The Health Professions Education will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of all country‑level program activities, ensuring timely, results‑driven implementation in line with Amref Health Africa standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning and coordination

• Oversee program start‑up activities, including kick‑off meetings, institutional capacity assessments, signing of MoUs, and establishment of governance and coordination structures
• Lead the development and implementation of annual and quarterly work plans, budgets, and procurement plans in alignment with program objectives and timelines.
• Coordinate overall program implementation in Uganda, ensuring integration of all technical components including curriculum reform, faculty development, online blended learning, and research.
• Establish and maintain effective program coordination mechanisms, including regular planning, review, and learning meetings with partners and stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of country-level activities with regional PEP priorities, frameworks, and reporting requirements.
• Facilitate coordination with the regional Program Management Unit and contribute to cross-country learning and harmonization of approaches.
• Ensure timely delivery of program outputs and milestones, applying adaptive management approaches where necessary.

Stakeholders Management

• Lead strategic engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders including Ministries of Health and Education, regulatory bodies (e.g NCHE, UHPAB), academic institutions, and implementing partners.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Amref and national-level stakeholders, ensuring alignment with government priorities and policies.
• Convene and support national governance and coordination platforms, including the Program Advisory Group, communities of practice and technical expert groups.
• Foster strong partnerships with universities, training institutions and professional bodies to enhance ownership and sustainability of program interventions.
• Strengthen policy dialogue and institutional buy‑in to support curriculum reforms, adoption of innovative teaching methodologies and sustainability of program outcomes.
• Facilitate effective collaboration among universities, medical bureaus, training institutions, and implementation partners within the hub‑and‑spoke model
• Promote multi-sectoral collaboration and facilitate stakeholder participation in planning, implementation, and review processes.
• Represent the program in national, regional and international forums to enhance visibility, influence policy and promote knowledge sharing.

Capacity Development

• Oversee curriculum review, development and rollout processes to ensure integration of emerging CMD priorities, competency‑based education, gender equity, non‑discrimination and emerging health priorities.
• Coordinate establishment and operationalisation of Centres of Excellence (Hubs) and support spoke institutions to adopt and deliver revised curricula and training programs, faculty development initiatives as well as implement education and implementation research
• Oversee institutional capacity strengthening in skills‑based training, including planning and equipping simulation and skills laboratories.
• Lead implementation of faculty development initiatives, including training of CMD mentors, pedagogical training, mentorship programs, and peer learning exchanges.
• Support faculty development through training, mentorship, and establishment of communities of practice to enhance teaching quality and innovation.
• Promote online and blended learning approaches, including online, offline and mobile‑enabled solutions, to improve access and quality of CMD education.
• Facilitate implementation of education and implementation research initiatives to inform policy and practice.
• Ensure integration of gender, equity, and inclusion considerations across all program interventions and institutional reforms.
• Support policy engagement and advocacy efforts to institutionalize CMD education within national health workforce development frameworks

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research and Learning

• Oversee implementation of the program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework in line with the Novo Nordisk Foundation requirements and Amref Health Africa MEL standards.
• Lead documentation of best practices, lessons learned and success stories to contribute to regional and global knowledge.
• Promote and oversee education and implementation research to inform continuous improvement of training approaches, including the design, coordination, and dissemination of studies on innovative teaching methods, curriculum effectiveness and learning outcomes.
• Facilitate the generation and use of evidence from research to strengthen training quality, guide curriculum refinement and support data-driven decision-making across participating institutions.
• Promote learning and knowledge sharing across institutions, partners and countries within the PEP network.

Financial Management

• Oversee program budget planning, utilization, and monitoring to ensure efficient and accountable use of resources.
• Ensure compliance with donor financial requirements, Amref policies, and applicable regulations.
• Monitor expenditures and forecasts, ensuring alignment with approved budgets and work plans.
• Support development of business cases and co‑financing strategies to enhance sustainability of investments such as simulation labs and online learning platforms.
• Strengthen financial management systems and controls to mitigate risks related to mismanagement and fraud.

Human Resource Management

• Provide leadership and supervision to program staff, fostering a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team environment
• Build staff capacity through coaching, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities and accountability frameworks for all team members and partners.
• Conduct appraisals, mid and end of year reviews for program staff

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Public Health or related field from a recognized University.
• Post graduate diploma in Program planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. Health Services Management is an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in health professions education systems, curriculum reforms, review and innovative teaching methods
• Experience in conducting research and publications
• Experience in online and blended learning approaches
• At least five (5) years’ minimum experience managing large, donor‑funded, multi‑institutional programmes.
• Demonstrated leadership, coordination, and results‑based management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage partnership

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Program Planning and Management skills.
• Strong skills in process facilitation and stakeholder management across diverse groups, including government and development partners.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with cross-cultural teams.
• Fluency in English, including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Report writing and presentation skills.
• High competence levels in using Microsoft word, Excel and Power Point
• Integrity, commitment to quality and thoroughness.
• Good coordination, problem solving and networking skills.
• Team player.

Languages

• English

Please submit your your CV or resume highlighting relevant skills and experience along with a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position. The closing date for applications will be Thursday May 21, 2026 at 23:59 (EAT)

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.