Job Title: Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project Officer
Organisation: ZOA Uganda
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About Organisation:
ZOA is an international NGO that inspired by Christian identity and biblical message of reconciliation and restoration of a broken world with its headquarters in the Netherlands. ZOA operate in fifteen countries on and on three continents. At ZOA we provide relief to people affected by conflict or natural disasters, contribute to a new perspective of hope in which people work together for a promising future in dignity and mutual trust. Together with the affected communities we work on the recovery of their livelihoods.
Job Summary: The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project Officer is responsible for the effective implementation of quality, high-impact, cost-effective, and sustainable community-child-centred ECD programs. The role focuses on planning, implementing, and monitoring ECD interventions at the community level, while integrating and supporting child sponsorship processes. The ECD Project Officer promotes holistic child development—including physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and (where applicable) spiritual well-being—while strengthening community systems to sustainably support vulnerable children and their families.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
ECD Needs Assessment, Community Mobilization & Sensitization
- Conduct ECD needs identification to prioritize key ECD intervention areas as informed by community needs, government priorities and organizational strategic priorities
- Mobilize and sensitize communities to strengthen their participation and ownership of ECD project results
- Organize community into structures to oversee ECD project implementation
- Hold regular community meetings to inform on progress of ECD project design and priorities
- Result: Child-centred ECD needs identified based on context
Implementation of High-Impact ECD Interventions
- Develop and coordinate multi-annual, annual, and quarterly plans for ECD programme implementation and community engagement, ensuring balanced ECD activities and achievement of targets.
- Plan and implement age-appropriate ECD interventions aligned with project objectives and national frameworks.
- Support the establishment and strengthening of ECD centres and oversee implementation in line with approved plans, budgets, and targets.
- Train and mentor caregivers, parents, and community volunteers on early stimulation, nutrition, child protection, and positive parenting.
- Promote inclusive and equitable participation, with a focus on children with disabilities.
- Strengthen community engagement, ownership, and collaboration through regular meetings with stakeholders, community structures, and thematic experts.
- Ensure effective supervision of community structures to maximize impact for ECD beneficiaries.
- Promote accountable use of ECD resources by maintaining strong financial, risk management, and compliance practices.
- Support field-level ECD budget tracking, cost control, procurement processes, logistics, and proper management of ECD project resources and assets.
- Result: Quality, high impact, cost-effective and sustainable ECD interventions implemented
Community-Based Sponsorship Management
- Coordinate child registration, profiling, and enrollment into the sponsorship program.
- Ensure accurate, secure, and timely management of child data, including updates, transitions, and exits.
- Facilitate sponsor–child communication, including letters, updates, and special correspondence.
- Monitor and track child well-being and development in line with Help a Child sponsorship standards.
- Work closely with families and community structures to ensure holistic support for sponsored children.
- Ensure quality, authenticity, and timeliness of all sponsorship communications and documentation.
- Promote child dignity, participation, and protection in all sponsorship-related processes.
- Result: Efficient, accurate, and child-centred sponsorship processes that strengthen engagement and meaningful connections with sponsors.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Mobilize and collaborate with community groups, churches, CBOs, and local leaders to support ECD program implementation.
- Strengthen community participation, ownership, and accountability for child-focused interventions.
- Build capacity of local community structures (parent groups, caregiver groups, child protection committees) through training and mentoring.
- Maintain and strengthen working relationships with government, private sector, learning institutions, and other ECD stakeholders.
- Participate in ECD partnership and networking forums to share learning and enhance collaboration.
- Promote sustainable, community-led ECD initiatives through inclusive and participatory approaches.
- Result: Strong ECD partnerships, empowered community structures, and increased resource opportunities that enhance sustainable, community-driven impact for children.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Reporting
- Track child development milestones and ECD indicators while supporting the development and updating of the Theory of Change, PMEL framework, and programme plans.
- Conduct regular monitoring, supervision, and assessments of ECD centres and community activities, and facilitate reflection sessions to strengthen adaptive programming.
- Collect, analyze, and document ECD data, best practices, and lessons learned to improve programme interventions.
- Participate in evaluations (baseline, midline, endline), surveys, and programme reviews.
- Maintain accurate ECD records and documentation, including registers, attendance lists, and reports.
- Prepare timely, high-quality reports, field updates, monitoring summaries, donor reports, and success stories.
- Support ECD visibility, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing to inform practice and influence policy.
- Result: Strong, data-driven ECD program management with accurate reporting, continuous learning, and adaptive improvements that enhance child development outcomes.
Child Protection & Safeguarding
- Promote and enforce child safeguarding, child protection, and PSEA policies and procedures across all ECD activities.
- Identify, report, and respond to child protection concerns in line with organizational guidelines.
- Integrate child protection awareness into ECD, child-focused interventions, and sponsorship activities.
- Ensure all volunteers, and community stakeholders adhere to child safeguarding standards and ethical practices.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by your line manager.
- Result: Safe, protective, and accountable program environment where children’s rights are upheld and safeguarding risks are effectively prevented and addressed.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Identity
- The candidate is expected to fully support the vision, mission and Christian values 0f ZOA (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development, Education, Social Work, Community Development, or related field.
- 4 years’ experience in community development and child-focused programming.
- Experience working directly with children and vulnerable communities.
- Good computer skills, written and verbal communication skills in English.
Competences
- Demonstrates high integrity, commitment to child-safeguarding, and upholds Christian faith-based values, and is committed to community empowerment and no-handout approaches
- Strong facilitation and community mobilization skills
- Child rights and safeguarding knowledge
- Monitoring, data collection, and report writing skills
Attitude/behaviour:
- High level of personal integrity;
- Flexibility and adaptability;
- Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity;
- Able to work under pressures and meet deadlines;
- Able to work in a sometimes fluid and innovative environment;
- Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and Interested applicants should apply online at the link below.
Deadline: 5th June 2026
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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Level of Education: bachelor degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 48