Child Protection Specialist

About the role

The Child Protection Specialist in Uganda's Country Office leads strategy development and the technical design and implementation of high-quality child protection programmes in both emergency and development contexts. The role supports national advocacy and influencing, builds strategic partnerships and strengthens the capacity of local organisations, with a focus on external representation on priority issues defined by the Uganda Country Strategic Plan.

Key responsibilities

• Lead technical leadership for child protection, build capacity of national staff and partners through training, mentorship and coaching, and oversee programme quality and implementation
• Support the design of MEAL frameworks, quality monitoring and learning dissemination, including safeguarding integration
• Support new business development: technical inputs on funding strategies, proposal design and donor engagement
• Represent Save the Children in national and local government dialogues, policy discussions and technical coordination networks
• Manage direct reports, including performance management, coaching and professional development

Required profile

• Master's degree in social work, development studies or a related subject
• At least 5 years' experience leading humanitarian and development child protection programmes, including refugee response
• Familiarity with the child protection and child rights sector in Uganda and with national, regional and global standards
• Track record of business development and fundraising with institutional, philanthropic and corporate donors
• Experience in training, capacity building and mentoring
• Fluent English with a high level of writing skills

Required skills

• Programme design, monitoring and evaluation, and strategy development
• Context, capacity and policy analysis, and regional/international advocacy and influence
• Networking, representation and partnership development
• Data and evidence use to inform programming
• Experience in at least one cross-cutting area such as gender equality, child rights, disability, migration and displacement, climate change, or humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery

Candidates apply with a cover letter and CV as a single document, including current remuneration and salary expectations. Applications close on 9 November 2026; the selection process includes background checks.