Young development professionals with experience in youth programmes, community engagement and employment initiatives can apply for the Programme Coordinator – Youth Engagement position at Restless Development Uganda.
The Restless Development is seeking an experienced professional to coordinate its youth employment and market systems portfolio in Kampala.
The role offers a gross annual salary of UGX 73,299,474, a two-year fixed-term contract, and a preferred start date of October 2026. The successful candidate will work closely with the Programme Manager for Youth Employment and Market Systems and will be expected to undertake fairly regular domestic and international travel.
The application deadline is 10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM E.A.T.
Restless Development Uganda describes itself as an agency for youth-led change that supports young people to create positive change in their communities.
The organisation works across Karamoja, West Nile, Eastern and Central Uganda, supporting young people to influence decisions affecting their lives while strengthening systems and institutions that enable them to reach their potential.
Restless Development also coordinates the Uganda Youth Collective, a national platform bringing together more than 600 youth-led organisations to amplify youth voices and influence policy.
Its youth employment work focuses on improving young people’s economic resilience and livelihoods by expanding access to dignified work, entrepreneurship opportunities and inclusive financial services.
About the Programme Coordinator Role
The Programme Coordinator – Youth Engagement will play a central role in implementing Restless Development Uganda’s youth employment and market systems portfolio.
The successful candidate will ensure that young people are meaningfully involved throughout programme design, implementation and learning.
The role involves coordinating youth engagement approaches that strengthen young people’s agency, participation and ownership of employment and enterprise pathways.
The Programme Coordinator will also support interventions designed to help young women, refugees and young people with disabilities access relevant skills, opportunities and support systems.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have responsibilities across youth engagement, partnerships, financial management, monitoring, reporting and people management.
Youth Engagement and Programme Implementation
The Programme Coordinator will coordinate youth engagement approaches across youth employment and market systems programmes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Integrating meaningful youth engagement principles into programme interventions.
- Coordinating youth-focused training, dialogues, mentorship and learning activities.
- Supporting youth feedback mechanisms.
- Developing approaches that strengthen young people’s agency and leadership.
- Ensuring youth perspectives and lived experiences inform programme adaptation.
- Coordinating activities in line with approved workplans, budgets and programme objectives.
The position therefore requires someone capable of translating youth participation principles into practical programme implementation.
Capacity Strengthening and Partnerships
The successful candidate will work closely with Youth-Led Organisations (YLOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and consortium partners.
They will lead capacity-strengthening initiatives covering areas such as meaningful youth engagement, youth leadership, programme delivery, safeguarding and inclusive programming.
The role will also support youth pathway approaches that help young people move from skills development into employment and entrepreneurship.
Building positive relationships with youth structures and facilitating peer learning and knowledge sharing will form another important part of the position.
Financial Management and Programme Resources
The Programme Coordinator will contribute to the preparation and management of annual programme budgets and workplans.
The role requires adherence to Restless Development Uganda’s financial policies and procedures, as well as ensuring appropriate use of programme funds.
Responsibilities include supporting financial reporting, preparing accurate narrative reports, ensuring timely requisition and accountability for activity funds, and promoting value for money across financial transactions.
Monitoring, Reporting and Learning
Monitoring programme implementation and tracking progress against targets and indicators will be another major component of the position.
The Programme Coordinator will lead the preparation of quality technical reports, success stories and lessons learned to support programme learning and donor reporting.
The successful candidate will also ensure that youth feedback and emerging lessons are incorporated into adaptive programming.
In addition, the role includes line management of the Programme Officer – Youth Engagement, including coaching, performance management and technical guidance.
Who Can Apply?
Restless Development is seeking an experienced professional with a relevant bachelor’s degree and substantial experience in youth-focused development programming.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Community Development, Youth Development, Education, Project Management or a related field.
Candidates must also have at least three years of experience coordinating or implementing youth-focused development programmes in Uganda.
Additional essential requirements include:
- Experience working with YLOs, CBOs and community stakeholders.
- Experience in meaningful youth engagement, capacity strengthening or skills development.
- Strong programme coordination skills.
- Experience with planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
- Experience with budget tracking.
- Experience supervising or mentoring staff.
- Strong facilitation and communication skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management abilities.
- Understanding of safeguarding, gender equality, diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and programme reporting tools.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Restless Development identifies several additional qualifications and experiences that would strengthen an application.
Experience working on youth employment programmes, particularly initiatives involving livelihoods, entrepreneurship, skills development or economic inclusion, is desirable.
Experience working with consortiums and multi-stakeholder partnerships is also an advantage.
Applicants with knowledge of Uganda’s youth development and employment landscape may be particularly well suited to the role.
A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field is also listed as desirable.
Salary, Contract and Location
The position is based in Kampala, Uganda, within the Programmes department.
Key details include:
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Programme Coordinator – Youth Engagement |
| Organisation | Restless Development Uganda |
| Location | Kampala, Uganda |
| Contract | Fixed-term |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Salary | UGX 73,299,474 gross per annum |
| Preferred start | October 2026 |
| Travel | Regular domestic and international travel |
| Deadline | 10 September 2026, 5:00 PM E.A.T. |
The organisation notes that the position is contingent upon the availability of funding.
Safeguarding and Inclusion
Safeguarding is an important organisational priority for Restless Development. The organisation states that protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults takes precedence over programme or strategic objectives.
The successful candidate will therefore be expected to uphold safeguarding requirements alongside the organisation’s commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Restless Development is an equal-opportunities employer and welcomes applications from different sectors of the community.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter.
The cover letter should provide tangible examples demonstrating how the applicant’s skills, knowledge and experience relate to the key priorities and responsibilities outlined in the job description.
The cover letter should be no more than 750 words.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM E.A.T. on 10 September 2026.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the requirements and ensure their application clearly demonstrates their relevant experience in youth engagement, programme coordination, partnerships, employment programming and team supervision.
Final Thoughts
The Restless Development Programme Coordinator – Youth Engagement opportunity provides an experienced development professional with the chance to contribute to programmes focused on youth employment, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion in Uganda.
With a gross annual salary of UGX 73,299,474, a two-year contract and opportunities to work with youth-led organisations and development partners, the role could be particularly relevant to professionals with a strong background in youth development and programme management.
Candidates who meet the required qualifications and have at least three years of relevant experience in Uganda should prepare their CV and evidence-based cover letter ahead of the 10 September 2026 deadline.
