Closing date30 Sep 2023
StrongMinds (www.strongminds.org) is a dynamic and fast growing 501(c)(3) social enterprise with its center of operations in Kampala, Uganda, that focuses on one of the most underserved populations and one of the most pervasive mental illnesses in the world. We treat depression among women of all ages in Africa, where access to mental health treatment is extremely limited, and has recently launched our services in the U.S.

Since its start in 2014, StrongMinds has treated over 210,000 women with depression in Uganda and Zambia. We are the only organization scaling a solution to depression with a potential to serve millions of people in the next ten years.

StrongMinds has earned an impressive reputation in the global mental health space. In addition to media coverage in the New York Times, Forbes, BBC World Service, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review, we are described by UK organization Founders Pledge as the most cost- effective mental health organization working in the developing world.

The StrongMinds Uganda (SMU) Country Director will lead all operations in country, supporting a team of staff working across ten districts to grow, innovate, and collaborate. A critical objective for the Country Director (CD) will be to support successful replication of StrongMinds’ programs via large NGO and government partners, while maintaining technical excellence and team capacity. Supported by the Chief Programmes &Strategy Officer as well as the Global Leadership Team, the Country Director will also steward and report to a local Board of Directors. The CD will be responsible for securing new funding opportunities and large-scale strategic partnerships in concert with development team, strengthening SMU’s brand and reputation in Uganda, and striving for cost efficiencies and financial/operational excellence. He or she will also play a pivotal role in shaping the strategies and systems for the next stages of StrongMinds’ growth and scale in Uganda and elsewhere in the region.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Scale (25%)

Drive the organization’s ambitious replication strategy – to serve diverse populations and geographies with a growing portfolio of mental health projects via the NGO and Ugandan government/public sectors; lead SMU to achieve near-term increases in numbers of clients treated, largely through partners.
Set SMU’s short and long-term strategic direction, in alignment with global organizational strategy.
Establish SMU as a center of excellence in community-based, lay-delivered care for depression and maintain a bottom-line focus on the quality of care and well-being of our clients.
Set annual/multi-annual goals and targets, with a focus on achieving results and maximizing cost-efficiencies.
Support a culture of innovation, piloting new approaches and prioritizing learning and improvement at all stages.
Play a leadership role organizationally and contribute value and substance to StrongMinds’ global leadership team.
Management (25%)

Lead and grow the SMU team, ensuring a supportive, results-driven, and high performing organizational culture is in place across multiple teams and offices.
Supervise, mentor, and shape the SMU Senior Management to be aligned to SMU strategy, vision, and core values and to delivery on organizational milestones and plans.
Serve as a point of contact and resource for other StrongMinds offices and stakeholders.
Develop and implement state of the art operational plans and systems to support transparency, learning, and cost efficiency.
Operational Excellence (25%)

In collaboration with colleagues, set annual budgets and steward resources to achieve value and transparency in accordance with donor, organizational, and global guidelines.
Liaise with SMU’s legal partners to guide and inform organizational decisions and policies in compliance with local law.
Ensure adherence to technical/clinical, programmatic, monitoring and evaluation, administrative and HR, and financial standards across the organization.
Establish and revisit regularly organizational risk registers and mitigation plans.
Further develop organizational policies, curricula, and systems, to include technology platforms and tools, to strengthen the organization’s operations and increase efficiencies.
Ensure that effective performance management, mentoring, and career development is available to all SMU team members.
Problem solve and develop detailed solutions for a fast-growing ‘start-up’ organization as needed.
External Relations & Board Stewardship (25%)

In collaboration with the StrongMinds Partnership development team, proactively seek partnerships and fundraising opportunities in the country and region.
Grow and strengthen StrongMinds’ network across its relevant stakeholders and partners in government and civil society.
Cultivate SMU’s brand and reputation in Uganda.
Support the development and execution of advocacy strategies in collaboration with colleagues.
Represent SMU with key agencies and working groups.
Together with the Board Chair, steward and grow the SMU Board of Directors, maintaining a diverse governance body that is highly skilled, engaged, and supportive.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required

An experienced country director with at least 5 - 10 years’ experience in that role or in senior program leadership in East Africa.
A hands-on and ambitious leader who can mentor, coach, and motivate all staff, including the SMU Senior Management team.
A results-driven leader who values measuring and analyzing impact with scientific rigor. A high comfort with data is critically important.
A great communicator who can express the vision of StrongMinds and persuade colleagues at local and international levels.
A networker who knows how to seize opportunities, establish, and maintain lasting relationships with relevant organizations, government branches, and other stakeholders.
A generalist with an eye for detail who sees and fills gaps throughout the organization and enjoys contributing where extra hands are needed.
A builder with a record of meeting program goals and deadlines who knows how to develop new initiatives and identify expansion opportunities.
A self-starter who understands business operations and can create systems to increase efficiency and support the organization's growth.
A compassionate and intercultural leader, able to fit into a fast-paced culture and serve as a thought partner.
Nimble, creative, and solution-oriented, adapting and contributing to the rapidly changing day-to-day demands of the organization.
A person of integrity, ensuring an impeccable reputation for the organization and transparent and sound financial oversight.
Dedicated to the mission of StrongMinds and to serving people living in the margins.
Experienced in mental health or global health.
The Country Director will be expected to model StrongMinds’ core values:

We are people focused.

Our clients are the top priority, and we ensure they receive the best possible care and support. Our employees matter and we enable our team to thrive. We respect all our stakeholders and treat them as equals.