1. Background

Danish People’s Aid (DPA) is a humanitarian and development organisation with more than 120 years of experience in community-based action. Rooted in solidarity and localisation, DPA supports communities to access essential services, strengthen resilience and preparedness, and enable dignified, community-led response.

Uganda is one of DPA’s priority countries under the International Strategy 2026–2028. DPA has worked in Uganda for nearly two decades through long-term partnerships with civil society organisations, including CIDI and UWASNET. The current engagement includes:

• The Regional WASH Governance and Accountability Programme across East and Southern Africa in Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Zambia.
• Community resilience and first-aid network strengthening in refugee-hosting areas building community skills, cohesion, and agency.
• Humanitarian assistance.

As DPA expands its portfolio, the Project and Engagement Officer will support programme oversight, partner engagement, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning), and resource mobilization, both across Uganda-based initiatives as well as initiatives in the Eastern and Southern regions.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Project and Engagement Officer contributes to the effective implementation of DPA’s programmes and projects in Uganda and in the East and Southern African region. The role combines project oversight, community engagement, evidence generation, and partner coordination, with a strong emphasis on supporting fundraising, donor outreach, and development of new project concepts.

The Officer plays a key role in ensuring that DPA’s strategic priorities—Community Access, Community Resilience & Preparedness, and Community Response—are effectively delivered across WASH governance, youth-led resilience, and humanitarian programming.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

3.1 Project Oversight and Programme Support

• Support day-to-day oversight of DPA-supported projects in Uganda, including the regional WASH programme in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda, as well as stand-alone projects such as the Kids4Kids Uganda.
• Track implementation progress, ensuring alignment with workplans, results frameworks, and DPA strategy in coordination with the DPA MEAL Officer (based in Kenya).
• Support project planning, field assessments, and review of partner implementation plans.
• Contribute to quality assurance of activities related to WASH governance, first aid networks, youth engagement, and community capacity strengthening.
• Assist with preparation of progress reports, documentation, and communication materials with the DPA MEAL Officer.
• Strengthen localisation by supporting partners’ organisational development, systems, and learning.

3.2 Partnership and Fundraising

• Maintain regular interaction with existing and prospective partners, relevant networks and donors.
• Identify and track funding opportunities relevant to DPA’s strategy, including building on existing WASH governance, youth empowerment, and humanitarian responses.
• Support development of proposals, concept notes, budgets, and donor communication materials.
• Prepare contextual updates, evidence packages, and visibility materials for donors and stakeholders.
• Contribute to DPA HQ’s resource mobilisation and positioning efforts across East and Southern Africa.

3.3 Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

• Lead facilitator on DPA’s Innovation and Learning Hub implemented under the regional WASH Programme jointly with Program partners.
• Support partners in data collection, documentation of impact, and application of MEAL tools under the guidance of the DPA MEAL Officer.
• Contribute to DPA’s “proof-of-concept” approach by documenting results, case studies, and learning emerging from existing programs and projects in the region.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms including feedback loops with communities and youth groups.
• Consolidate lessons learned to support programme adaptation and scale-up.

3.4 Coordination, Representation & Communication

• Represent DPA in relevant sector working groups (WASH, Child Protection, Youth, Resilience, humanitarian clusters) as needed.
• Prepare communication materials (photos, stories, briefs) for DPA HQ visibility and donor reporting.
• Maintain regular liaison with the DPA International Department.

3.5 Administration and Compliance

• Ensure partner reports and documentation comply with donor, DPA, and audit requirements in liaison with the DPA Finance Department.
• Support procurement reviews and administrative follow-up when required.
• Maintain organised project files, monitoring tools, and risk assessments.

4. Reporting

The Officer reports directly to the DPA Head of International Department (HQ.

5. Duty Station

Kampala, Uganda, with expected regular travel to project locations within Uganda as well as in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

6. Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, WASH-related areas, Community Development, or related fields.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with humanitarian or development projects.
• Experience working with local civil society organisations and multi-stakeholder networks.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development, donor relations, or fundraising is a strong advantage.
• Experience in MEAL, data collection, evidence documentation, or social accountability processes.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Luganda or other local languages is an asset.

7. Values and Safeguarding

• Commitment to DPA’s values of community solidarity, inclusion, and localisation.
• Strong adherence to safeguarding, child protection, and PSEA standards.
• Promotion of non-discrimination, gender equality, and participation of vulnerable groups.

• Support day-to-day oversight of DPA-supported projects in Uganda, including the regional WASH programme in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda, as well as stand-alone projects such as the Kids4Kids Uganda.
• Track implementation progress, ensuring alignment with workplans, results frameworks, and DPA strategy in coordination with the DPA MEAL Officer (based in Kenya).
• Support project planning, field assessments, and review of partner implementation plans.
• Contribute to quality assurance of activities related to WASH governance, first aid networks, youth engagement, and community capacity strengthening.
• Assist with preparation of progress reports, documentation, and communication materials with the DPA MEAL Officer.
• Strengthen localisation by supporting partners’ organisational development, systems, and learning.
• Maintain regular interaction with existing and prospective partners, relevant networks and donors.
• Identify and track funding opportunities relevant to DPA’s strategy, including building on existing WASH governance, youth empowerment, and humanitarian responses.
• Support development of proposals, concept notes, budgets, and donor communication materials.
• Prepare contextual updates, evidence packages, and visibility materials for donors and stakeholders.
• Contribute to DPA HQ’s resource mobilisation and positioning efforts across East and Southern Africa.
• Lead facilitator on DPA’s Innovation and Learning Hub implemented under the regional WASH Programme jointly with Program partners.
• Support partners in data collection, documentation of impact, and application of MEAL tools under the guidance of the DPA MEAL Officer.
• Contribute to DPA’s “proof-of-concept” approach by documenting results, case studies, and learning emerging from existing programs and projects in the region.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms including feedback loops with communities and youth groups.
• Consolidate lessons learned to support programme adaptation and scale-up.
• Represent DPA in relevant sector working groups (WASH, Child Protection, Youth, Resilience, humanitarian clusters) as needed.
• Prepare communication materials (photos, stories, briefs) for DPA HQ visibility and donor reporting.
• Maintain regular liaison with the DPA International Department.
• Ensure partner reports and documentation comply with donor, DPA, and audit requirements in liaison with the DPA Finance Department.
• Support procurement reviews and administrative follow-up when required.
• Maintain organised project files, monitoring tools, and risk assessments.

• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Luganda or other local languages is an asset.

• Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, WASH-related areas, Community Development, or related fields.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with humanitarian or development projects.
• Experience working with local civil society organisations and multi-stakeholder networks.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development, donor relations, or fundraising is a strong advantage.
• Experience in MEAL, data collection, evidence documentation, or social accountability processes.
• Commitment to DPA’s values of community solidarity, inclusion, and localisation.
• Strong adherence to safeguarding, child protection, and PSEA standards.
• Promotion of non-discrimination, gender equality, and participation of vulnerable groups.