Agribusiness training specialist ( National volunteer) – VSO

VSO is the world’s leading international development charity that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. At VSO we pride ourselves on doing development differently. We fight poverty not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers and partners to create long-lasting change in some of the world’s poorest regions. We bring key stakeholders together to co-ordinate collective action, from local organisations to national governments. Our programmes in Africa and Asia focus on health, education and livelihoods, with an increasing emphasis on resilience, peace building, social accountability, gender and social inclusion. We’re not about delivering quick fixes, but instead we focus on long-lasting, sustainable change that will improve the lives of generations to come.

Working at project location – In this role, you will provide on-site support in the project location and/or VSO office, (full-time unless otherwise specified) for a set period of time.

Assess the needs and build the technical capacity of the Vocational Training Institute (VTI), Private Sector and public sector to deliver quality, agricultural market relevant and industry demanded standard of skills training, market and services to youth. Support the VTI staff in conducting agriculture market assessments, curriculum development based on identified agricultural related markets in crop, animal husbandry and apiary.

Responsibilities:
Working with Implementing partners (IPs), under VSO Uganda Livelihoods Volunteering for Development (V4D) Program, alongside VSO Livelihoods team, undertake the following:
Capacity building
• Strengthening skills of VTI staff in conducting agricultural market assessments
• Supporting with curriculum development / revision, based on identified agricultural related market trades (crop, animal husbandry and apiary)
• Strengthening the capacity of instructors to deliver hands-on, practical youth-oriented training
• Strengthening linkages with various market actors, including creating apprenticeship opportunities with prospective employers, and/or business opportunities with the private sector for youth etc.
• Support with linkages with appropriate research agencies and leaders in agricultural related technology
• Streamline agroecology in delivery of agribusiness trainings for green jobs

Internal Reporting:
• Submit activity and monthly plans and reports to VTI partner as well as VSO Program Specialist.
• Document and share success and case stories, best practices and lessons learnt.
• Input into quarterly and annual donor reports as needed
• Participate in project planning and review meetings
• Jointly with other resilient livelihoods team identify and share areas of good practice

Essential selection criteria:
• Experience in agribusiness development and programme design, implementation and MEL with a clear focus on markets for youth (M4Y)
• Sound experience in organisational capacity building and assessment, advising and coaching
• Strong experience working in multi stakeholder partnerships, developing and expanding partnerships, effective relationship management
• Experience of delivering Training of Trainers
• Experience in gender, economic and social inclusion

Knowledge/qualifications:
• Academic background in a relevant field, e.g. agribusiness, youth work, development, programme management

Experience:
• 5+ year experience in agribusiness, agroecology, innovations and inclusive skills development, youth engagement and employability programming in livelihoods/youth employment including significant experience in private sector engagements.

Skills/Abilities:
• Working together – successfully works with culturally diverse teams and develops others’ team-working skills.
• Communication & influencing – inspires others by: advocating plans and ideas within and outside VSO; maintaining a wide, influential network; coaching.
• Striving for excellence – leads initiatives to improve agribusiness approaches and practices; is a role model for continuous learning and improvement in M4Y approaches.
• Managing Resources – Organizes own work to meet objectives; clarifies accountability or roles; seeks ways to create value for money in implementation of activities.
• Developing People – is a role model for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Delivering Results – effectively working with others including VSO partners to ensure timely, high quality results.

Desired selection criteria:
• Experience with agribusiness business development and market for youth approaches
• Understanding of the some of the key constraints around youth employment in agriculture
• Partner capacity development.
• Youth engagement, gender economic resilience and social inclusion
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and assessment of youth engagement programmes.

Competencies and Behaviour
At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together. Whether you want to join us as an employee, or as a volunteer working in your own country, overseas or online, our selection process includes an assessment based on these core competencies:
• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to facilitate positive change and build sustainable working relationships
• Ability to seek and share knowledge

Equal Opportunities
VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

Allowance

As a VSO volunteer, you will be sharing your skills with local communities on a full time basis. VSO will cover your travel, vaccinations, accommodation, and medical insurance costs, along with a local living allowance which will be paid in local currency. This allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country, but will not be enough to send money home. You will also receive some financial support to contribute to your on-going expenses at home.

Accommodation

VSO works with some of the poorest communities in the world which means accommodation varies and will be basic.

Some background about VSO

Much has changed since VSO started 60 years ago. We’ve gone from being a UK charity to a truly global development organisation. In 2016/2017 alone, we worked with over 7,000 volunteers from all over the world and from all backgrounds to deliver services that had an impact on the lives of almost 2.6 million people in the 24 countries where we work. Our programmes focus on the areas of health, education and livelihoods, with an increasing emphasis on resilience building, social accountability, gender and social inclusion. We believe progress is only possible when we work together and that strong partnerships are crucial to delivering positive change. That’s why we work with over 500 partner organisations, from local and national governments, to businesses, NGOs, funders, charities and community groups. Currently, over 30% of our people are recruited from within the country in which they work, and we continue to grow the share of community and national volunteers involved in our programmes. We also send increasing numbers of volunteers from one developing country to another. However, our vision has remained the same; to build a world without poverty.

Once you’re ready to apply, click on ‘make an application’ below to complete the online form.