Job announcement

The Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) is a programme of the Government of Uganda supported by the European Union (EU) and supervised by the Office of the Prime Minister. Together with a consortium of partners, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has received a grant to implement an action named “Building resilience to enhance food and nutrition security, incomes and health in Northern Uganda”. This will be implemented in the seven districts of Amolatar, Apac, Lira, Otuke and Kwania in Lango sub-region, and Kapelebyong and Amuria in Teso Subregion.

Under the Market Access and Value addition Unit of the IITA-led action, both Rikolto International and Kilimo Trust as consortium partners are responsible for activities to achieve ‘Increased Market Accessibility’, including facilitating the strengthening of farmer organizations/ cooperatives, facilitating access to BDS such as finance for working capital to aggregate farmer production, access to insurance as well digital solutions that aid smooth operations, payments and linkages to buyers and suppliers.

Rikolto Uganda now seeks a qualified person to fill the vacant position to support the implementation of the DINU action in Northern Uganda.

AGRIBUSINESS ADVISOR

  1. Market Access and Digital Solutions
  2. FBO Strengthening

Job purpose

To enhance the inclusion of smallholder farmers in durable and fair-trading relationships with private companies in national, regional and export markets.

Reports to: Agribusiness Coordinator
Geographical Location: Lira, Uganda

Responsibilities

  • plan, implement, monitor and adjust innovations in inclusive business models
  • plan, coordinate, implement and monitor actions leading to set objectives
  • develop, strengthen and support business development linkages between FBOs and private companies
  • strengthen the entrepreneurial attitude, skills, digital solutions and capacities of FBOs
  • provide strategic and technical guidance to FBOs ensuring their inclusion in value chains
  • design, test, and validate change/innovations in the linked business models
  • monitor and document the change/innovations processes in the business models, the changes in behavior of the FBOs and companies involved, and the results of these towards improved small-holder livelihoods, and draw lessons
  • support the periodic documentation and translation the outcomes
  • coordinate/implement the actions of/with the various partners in the achievement of the set objectives of the DINU action
  • build up a close relationship with private companies interested in sustainable sourcing from smallholder farmers
  • network with other organizations that have a stake in the DINU action
  • analyze and document the changing national context in relation to the business environment, the value chain, the market.
  • provide information, analysis, lessons learned to allow program management to readjust interventions for the DINU action
  • collaborate and work closely with DINU action M&E specialist and ABO’s to collect and synthesize all program data and report accordingly
  • develop and review plans, budgets and monitors expenditure of the DINU action in area of jurisdiction

Expected Outputs

  • Innovative interventions that contribute to the desired planned DINU action
  • Strong business linkages between FBOs and private companies
  • Strong entrepreneurial attitude, skills and capacities of FBOs
  • High quality analysis of trends and opportunities in relation to the business environment
  • Strong network and coordination with partners and key stakeholders
  • Significant and sustainable benefits for farmers working in the DINU action
  • Effective learning processes which lead to improvements in DINU action
  • Meticulous documentation and translation of the outcomes of the DINU action.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Business or Cooperative development
  • At least 2 to 3 years in grains or high value crops value chain development, working with a variety of stakeholders.

Knowledge and skills

  • Strategic thinker who is able to see problems from different angles
  • Results orientated
  • Communicates clearly in a variety of settings and styles and has good networking skills
  • In-depth understanding of value chains development approaches including gender empowerment approaches.
  • Good understanding of food safety standards, certifications and quality management systems
  • In-depth understanding and development of sustainable non-financial (BDS development) and financial services including market information systems
  • Vast experience working with FBOs and facilitation of collective action
  • Proven track record of developing FBO or SME business models and business plans
  • Good understanding of sustainability /environment
  • Understands national and regional market dynamics of high value crops and grains
  • Good computer operation Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Good proficiency in English (speaking and writing)

Application Procedures

Qualified individuals send detailed job descriptions and submit their email applications/cover letter and Curriculum Vitae to the Regional Director, Rikolto in East Africa, with the subject “Officer DINU-Ug” through eastafrica@rikolto.org by 5pm Friday, 21st May 2021.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Full job description in pdf