Posted: 27-Jan-26
Location: Uganda
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Sector:
Preferred Education:
Additional Information:
Internal Number: 2
Uganda Christian University Partners seeks a Program Coordinator and Field Instructor for the Uganda Studies Program. Approximately 40% of this position relates to Program Coordinator responsibilities. Approximately 60% of this position relates to Field Instructor responsibilities. In the Program Coordinator role, this position provides student care and programmatic support working with other staff members under the USP Director to achieve the overall aims and objectives of the Uganda Studies Program. In the Field Instructor role, this position provides professional supervision, mentorship, and academic support for social work, global health and other students completing their field placements in Uganda. The Field Instructor ensures that each student’s practicum experience meets the educational objectives of their home institution while being thoughtfully integrated into the Ugandan context. This reports to the USP Director and works in close collaboration with the Director of Field Education.
Main Job Responsibilities
Program Coordinator Responsibilities
General Student Support
- Provides spiritual encouragement and discipleship, actively seeking to address spiritual needs and questions.
- Assist students in cross-cultural interactions as they build authentic and healthy relationships with Ugandans, including peers, colleagues, supervisors, and host families. This includes processing their experiences throughout the semester using both group and one-on-one settings.
Health & Safety: Work under the USP Director to ensure the overall health and safety of USP students, including being on call for situations that may arise outside of typical work hours and assisting with student disciplinary issues.
- Assist in overseeing and implementing the USP Crisis Management Plan.
- Maintain active First Aid and CPR Certification.
Travel: Work closely with other USP staff (and at times take a lead role) to facilitate orientation & debrief (4 days/3 nights per semester), student travel to northern Uganda (7 days/6 nights per semester), and rural home stays (9 days/8 nights per semester).
Other duties as assigned.
Field Instructor Responsibilities
Provide field work supervision for students, supporting professional and academic growth through their field education experience. Support students in integrating discipline-specific theory, ethics and practice in the Ugandan context.
Agency Liaison and Collaboration: Ensure mutually beneficial relationships between UCU/USP and partner agencies.
- Work closely with partner agency supervisors to ensure successful student placements and to ensure all necessary documentation is completed.
- Collaborate with other USP staff in the training and equipping of supervisors
- Visit field sites periodically to ensure placements are meeting both student learning needs and agency expectations.
Assessment and Evaluation: Provide assessment and evaluation in alignment with USP and home institution guidelines, including proper documentation, site visits and student feedback.
Teaching and Integration of Learning: Provide instruction for seminar courses (social work and/or cross-cultural seminar and USP/UCU student groups) as determined by USP Director. Encourage critical engagement in understanding social welfare systems, community development structures, and cultural humility in cross-cultural contexts.
Other duties as assigned.
Compensation:
- Salary, health insurance, housing, travel, and additional benefits.
Application Process
The planned start date for this position is 01 July 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 17, 2026. Applicants should email their cover letter and resume in PDF format to:
Contact: office@ugandastudiesprogram.org
Persons applying for the position should:
- Hold a degree in Social Work (BSW or MSW; MSW preferred).
- Have at least two years of post-degree professional social work experience, ideally including supervision of interns or staff.
- Be able to articulate a personal commitment to the Christian mission and purpose of the Uganda Studies Program.
- Ability to manage a fluctuating workload and adapt to schedule changes, including evenings, weekends, or irregular hours associated with program operations.
- Have experience in a cross-cultural environment. Work well on a team of Ugandans and Americans exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity in all interactions.
- Be willing to learn and use computer and cloud-based applications for work responsibilities.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Previous experience working with or mentoring students.
- Familiarity with Ugandan NGOs, community-based organizations, or government agencies in the social service sector.
- Experience facilitating reflective learning or field education seminars.
SPECIAL NOTE: Candidates with advanced qualifications (e.g. PhD and/or MSW with 5+ years) professional experience are encouraged to reach out. Based on experience and program needs, this role may be structured as an expanded position that includes faculty responsibilities alongside field instruction.
Physical Requirements Include:
- Willingness to live on campus at Uganda Christian University.
- Willingness to abide by and submit to all UCU and USP Staff Policies.
- Ability to lead student travel in difficult conditions in low- and middle-income countries including limited food options, poor sanitation conditions, etc.
- Traveling without assistance; walking and hiking long distances; sitting; standing; typing; long periods of computer work; carrying suitcases and other items up to 50 pounds; bending; reaching; lifting; stooping; kneeling; twisting; sitting, standing; climbing.
- Ability to manage own health issues in a country with minimal access to good healthcare.