Science officer volunteer roles

Wekume

We provide Ugandan students anonymous reproductive health services, entrepreneurship support, and exchange opportunities via mobile.

Programs Officer

Reports to: Programs Director 

Position Summary

Wekume is seeking a highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented Program Officer to serve as the primary technical support to the Programs Director. While the Programs Director provides the strategic vision, leadership, and core ideas for the organization, the Program Officer is responsible for the technical formalization of these concepts.
The ideal candidate will excel at "putting ideas on paper"—transforming high-level strategies into structured program documents, logical frameworks, grant proposals, and analytical reports. You will be the bridge between visionary strategy and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Design & Documentation (The "Technical Architect")

• Concept Formalization: Translate the Programs Director’s strategies and verbal ideas into formal project concept notes and full-scale program documents.
• Framework Development: Design Logical Frameworks (LogFrames), Theories of Change, and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) for all upcoming initiatives.
• Proposal Writing: Assist in drafting and refining technical proposals for donors, ensuring all organizational "missing gaps" in documentation are filled professionally.
• Standardization: Create templates and standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for program implementation.

2. Analytical Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

• Indicator Design: Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with the Director’s goals to measure program success accurately.
• Data Analysis: Analyze field data and project outcomes to provide the Director with actionable insights and "the story behind the numbers."
• Technical Reporting: Produce sophisticated monthly, quarterly, and annual impact reports that meet international donor standards.

3. Operational Planning & Budgeting

• Operationalizing Strategy: Convert broad annual plans into detailed monthly/weekly execution plans for field teams.
• Technical Budgeting: Collaborate with the Director to align program activities with cost-effective budgets, ensuring financial projections match project logic.
• Compliance Oversight: Ensure all drafted programs adhere to local statutory requirements and specific donor compliance mandates.

4. Strategic Support & Coordination

• Briefing the Director: Regularly brief the Programs Director on project health, identifying potential bottlenecks before they occur.
• Team Technical Lead: Act as a resource for Project Officers and volunteers, providing them with the "paperwork" and structures they need to succeed in the field.
• Stakeholder Synthesis: Prepare presentation decks and briefing papers for the Director to use in high-level stakeholder and donor meetings.

Required Qualifications & Specialty Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Writing Excellence: Exceptional ability to write professional program documents, including the ability to visualize data and concepts.
• Analytical Rigor: Proficiency in M&E frameworks and the ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel (for budgeting/data), and project management tools (e.g., MS Project).
• Experience: At least 2–3 years of experience in a role that required significant "behind-the-scenes" program design or grant writing.

Core Competencies for this Specific Role

• Synthesizing Logic: The ability to listen to a vision and immediately see the steps required to make it a reality on paper.
• Attention to Detail: A "perfectionist" approach to documentation and reporting.
• Adaptability: Ability to report to a visionary leader and provide the technical "anchor" to ensure ideas are sustainable and measurable.

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

6+ months