Head English & School Education

Job Overview

The Head of English and School Education at British Council Uganda leads a strategic portfolio focused on improving learning outcomes across the country. This role supports the organisation’s mission to build connections and trust between the UK and Uganda through education and cultural exchange. The position is based in Uganda and works closely with government, schools and development partners to address key challenges in the education sector.

Uganda’s education system has achieved high enrolment rates but continues to face significant challenges in learning outcomes, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy. The role holder will work to strengthen teacher training, improve English language proficiency among educators and learners, and support equitable access to quality education for vulnerable children, including those in refugee-hosting districts.

This is a full-time leadership position that requires strategic thinking, technical expertise in education and proven experience in managing complex programmes. The successful candidate will contribute to the British Council’s global efforts to support peace and prosperity through educational initiatives that benefit both Uganda and the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a high-impact, profitable programme of activity aligned with British Council Uganda’s strategic objectives and responsive to local market conditions.
• Lead the English and School Education portfolio including School Systems, Empowerment and English Connects programmes, ensuring quality delivery and compliance with organisational standards.
• Provide technical sector expertise in English language teaching and school education, supporting programme design and implementation across diverse contexts in Uganda.
• Oversee business development activities, identify new funding opportunities and manage relationships with key stakeholders including government ministries and donor agencies.
• Monitor and evaluate programme performance, ensuring accountability, learning and adaptation to improve effectiveness and sustainability of education initiatives.
• Share knowledge and best practices with global English and School Education teams and contribute to regional and international communities of practice.
• Support the Country Director in ensuring that programmes deliver measurable benefits for both Uganda and the UK, strengthening bilateral educational ties.
• Manage contracts and programme budgets across mixed funding streams, maintaining financial sustainability while maximising educational impact.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• A master’s degree in Education, English Language Teaching, International Development or a closely related field from a recognised university.
• Minimum of eight years’ progressive experience in education programme management, with at least three years in a leadership or senior technical role.
• Proven experience designing and managing large-scale English language or school education programmes in low-resource or developing country contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government education officials, teachers and civil society organisations to achieve programme objectives.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, with experience translating organisational strategy into actionable programme plans.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels and representing the British Council professionally.

Desirable

• Experience working specifically within Uganda’s education system or in other East African countries with similar challenges and contexts.
• Knowledge of refugee education programming and experience supporting learning continuity for displaced populations in camp or settlement settings.
• Familiarity with British Council’s global English and School Education strategies, tools and approaches to programme development and delivery.
• Experience managing multi-donor funded programmes and navigating complex compliance requirements from various international funding agencies.
• Proficiency in using data for decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess learning outcomes and programme effectiveness.
• Additional language skills relevant to Uganda’s context, such as Luganda or Swahili, to enhance communication with local stakeholders.

What the Role Offers

• A competitive salary package commensurate with senior leadership responsibilities and the cost of living in Uganda’s urban centres.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the employee and their immediate dependents, including access to private medical facilities in Kampala.
• Generous leave entitlements including annual leave, public holidays and compassionate leave in accordance with British Council’s global policies.
• Professional development opportunities including access to global British Council training programmes, conferences and technical networks in education.
• Support for relocation where applicable, including assistance with housing search and settling-in services for international candidates moving to Uganda.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae, copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Please apply now by clicking the link below.

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