Project Officer, ECD (National Position)

**Position: Project Officer, ECD - National Position**

**Reports to:** Project Coordinator - CCCD Program

**Job location:** Madi Okollo

**Starting date:** July 2026

**Vacancy closing date:** 5th June 2026

**Duration position:** 6 months renewable contract

**Working hours:** Fulltime (40 hours per week)

**About ZOA**

***We are here for people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster.***

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia.

We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues. In Uganda, ZOA has offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Gulu), and Karamoja (Amudat). ZOA Uganda works both in relief and recovery on the themes of food security & livelihoods, education, and conflict management with a special focus on land Rights.

**About the CCCD Program by Help A Child**

The Child-Centered Community Development Programs (CCCD) is implementing by Help a Child (HaC) in Upper Madi Okollo. The program focuses on Early Childhood Development (ECD), parenting, and Child protection. The program is looking for a Project Officer to be based in Madi Okollo Office.

**Your challenge**

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.

**Your main tasks and responsibilities**

**1. 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*

**2. 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*

**3. 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