Program Lead , Next Creata

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Next Creata – Program Lead
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, Next Creata / Project Steering Committee
Supervises: Program Coordinator & Communications Manager, Curriculum & Training Manager, Program Accountant, Downstream Partner Manager, Job Placement Coordinator, Master Trainers
Duty Station: Next Media Park, Kampala (with regular field missions to partner regions)
Contract Type: Full-time, renewable annually based on performance

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1. Background

The Next Creata Program is Next-Creata’s flagship intervention under the Uganda Creatives Program, implemented in partnership with Bayimba Foundation, ITC, and Mastercard Foundation. The program seeks to enhance skills, employability, and financial inclusion for 40,000 young women across Uganda’s creative economy through media production training, digital upskilling, market linkage, and entrepreneurial pathways.

The Program Lead provides overall leadership, strategy, and coordination for all program components — from curriculum and partner management to downstream implementation, reporting, and sustainability.

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2. Purpose of the Role

To provide visionary leadership and operational oversight for the Next Creata Program, ensuring effective coordination of all programmatic, technical, and financial aspects in line with donor requirements, consortium standards, and Next Creata’s organizational strategy.

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3. Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Leadership & Program Direction

• Lead the overall design, implementation, and monitoring of the Next Creata Program, ensuring alignment with the Uganda Creatives Program framework and Next Creata’s strategic priorities.
• Serve as the key liaison between Next-Creata, Bayimba Foundation, ITC, the Fund Manager, and the Program Steering Committee.
• Develop annual work plans, budgets, and performance frameworks for approval by the consortium.
• Oversee integration of gender equality, safeguarding, and inclusion across all interventions.

B. Program Implementation & Coordination

• Supervise and coordinate internal program teams (Curriculum, Training, Communications, Finance, Operations, and Downstream Partner Management).
• Ensure timely and high-quality delivery of training programs, mentorships, market linkages, and internship placements.
• Facilitate alignment between Next Creata’s national operations and the downstream partners’ localized implementation.
• Ensure coherence between curriculum content, creative production outputs, and employment outcomes.

C. Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with consortium partners, government agencies, creative industry stakeholders, and private sector partners.
• Represent Next Creata in consortium coordination meetings, steering committees, and partner events.
• Negotiate and manage MOUs, subcontracts, and partner frameworks under the program.
• Drive partnerships for sustainability (creative hubs, brands, studios, and academic institutions).

D. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Oversee implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, ensuring data accuracy and timely reporting.
• Lead quarterly reviews, partner assessments, and adaptive learning sessions.
• Ensure high-quality quarterly and annual program reports are submitted to Bayimba/ITC.

E. Financial & Operational Oversight

• Work closely with the Program Accountant to ensure prudent use of program funds and compliance with donor and audit requirements.
• Approve partner disbursements, operational budgets, and activity advances within approved thresholds.
• Monitor financial burn rates and program value-for-money indicators.

F. Representation & Advocacy

• Serve as the face of the Next Creata Program in stakeholder engagements, media events, and consortium-level discussions.
• Champion the visibility of the program and communicate its impact through evidence-based storytelling.
• Advocate for inclusion of creative economy skilling and women’s participation in national policy dialogues.

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4. Required Qualifications and Experience

Criteria	Requirement
Education	Master’s degree in Project Management, Media Studies, Creative Industries, Development Studies, or related field.
Experience	Minimum 8 years of progressive leadership experience in program management within development, media, or creative sectors. Experience managing donor-funded (preferably Mastercard Foundation/UN) programs is an asset.
Technical Competence	Strong grasp of creative industry value chains, training systems, gender inclusion, and financial inclusion strategies.
Leadership Skills	Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and consortium-based projects.
Financial & Compliance Skills	Experience in program budgeting, reporting, and fund management under strict donor compliance frameworks.
Communication Skills	Excellent negotiation, writing, and presentation abilities in English (Luganda or other local languages an asset).
ICT Skills	Proficiency in project management tools (Trello, Asana, Excel, PowerBI) and digital collaboration platforms.

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5. Competencies

• Strategic thinker with results-oriented leadership.
• Strong interpersonal and partnership-building skills.
• Deep understanding of Uganda’s creative economy and youth ecosystem.
• Ability to balance innovation with operational discipline.
• Integrity, transparency, and commitment to inclusive leadership.

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6. Performance Indicators

Area	Key Indicator
Program Delivery	100% achievement of quarterly deliverables and cohort targets
Financial Stewardship	Budget burn rate within 90–110% of forecast
Partner Coordination	95% partner reporting compliance
Impact	≥ 80% participant transition to dignified work pathways
Visibility	≥ 3 national showcases and 10+ media features annually
Compliance	Zero audit queries; full safeguarding compliance