AGRIBUSINESS PROJECT OFFICER

Edukans is an international NGO with headquarters in the Netherlands and country offices in Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. In Uganda, we are committed to unleashing the power of education that enables children and the youth globally to shape their future with confidence through quality basic education, and development of technical skills & competencies that ultimately translate to increased chances for employability. Edukans International Uganda will be implementing its Empowering Agricultural Skills for Youth and women for green growth (EASY) project funded by the Enabel Green and Decent Jobs for Youth (WeWork EU) in the Kampala metropolitan.

AGRIBUSINESS PROJECT OFFICER

TEAM/PROGRAMME: LIT Programme

LOCATION: Kampala (70% of time in the field)

Department: Programs

ROLE PURPOSE:

Reporting directly to the Manager, the jobholder will be responsible for successfully implementing our Empowering Agricultural Skills for Youth and women for green growth (EASY) project that will be equipping youth and women with market-relevant vocational skills, financial literacy skills, practical experience through Work based learning (WBL), and business development support in the Poultry and Coffee value chains under the Enabel action entitled Green and Decent Jobs for Youth (WeWork EU) project and will be working closely with the selected stakeholders to contribute to sustainable economic growth and decent job creation in Uganda.

SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to the Programme Manager

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1. Project Implementation:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of agricultural skills development for youth and women for decent job creation project, ensuring activities are implemented according to the project plan and budget.
• Monitor project progress, identify and address challenges, and propose solutions to ensure timely and effective implementation.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including farmers, local authorities, and project partners, to build strong relationships and facilitate project activities.
• Coordinate with technical experts, ensuring appropriate technical support is provided to youth and farmers for best practices in coffee and poultry production.

2. Training and Capacity Building:

•  Develop and deliver training programs to farmers and youth coffee value chain, poultry, disease management, feed production, and marketing.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange among farmers through workshops, demonstrations, and peer-to-peer learning activities.
• Engage in the co-creation of women and youth agribusiness incubator training with implementing partners.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs to ensure knowledge transfer and skill development.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Collect and analyze data on project performance indicators, including production yields, income generation, and farmer satisfaction.
• Prepare regular progress reports and present findings to project stakeholders.
• Identify areas for improvement and propose adjustments to the project implementation plan.

4. Market Linkage and Value Chain Development:

• Develop strategies for linking farmers to markets for poultry and coffee products.
• Work closely with the market system consultants to ensure project participants are set up for success in value chain development on coffee and poultry.
• Explore and facilitate opportunities for value addition and improved market access.
• Promote and advocate for fair pricing and equitable market access for farmers.
• Set up meetings with financial institutions to explore access to finance opportunities for project participants

5. Financial Management:

• Manage the project budget, ensuring responsible and transparent expenditure.
• Track project expenses, prepare financial reports, and submit them to relevant stakeholders.

6. Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare accurate and timely reports on project activities and achievements.
• Maintain complete project documentation, including meeting minutes, training materials, and monitoring data.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIORS (our Values in Practice)

Risk & Safety Management: Ensure workplace health & safety, Identify and mitigate operational risks

Stakeholder Analysis & Management: Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping to capture interests and influence; Manage relationships with government authorities, cooperatives and private-sector partners

Gender, Protection & Inclusion: Embed a gender-sensitive approach across all activities; Implement child

safeguarding and protection measures for vulnerable groups.

Sustainability & Environment: Integrate climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable water

management; Monitor environmental footprint.

Logistics & Procurement: Plan and manage procurement of inputs; Coordinate logistics for training

materials and demonstration sites.

Travel & Field Work: Frequent travel to project sites in and around Kampala; occasional multi-day field

missions.

Donor Reporting: Familiarity with donor reporting templates and timely submission.

Occasional duties

Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Judgement and Decision-Making

• Ability to work and fit within a team environment

Demonstrate behaviors that embrace gender responsiveness and partnership.

Flexibility to travel and work in an academic setting.

Academic Background, Experience and Person Specifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of coffee value chains and poultry value chains systems, including best practices, and market dynamics.
• Years of experience in horticulture/Poultry value chain production, extension services, business development, project management, market linkages and value chain development.
• Previous exposure and experience in environmentally friendly, agriculture, and income-generating activities and experience with other local and international NGOs
• excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills. You have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, experience working in matrix relations.
• Familiarity with project cycle management tools and methodologies. Proficiency in data analysis and reporting. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

Contacts:

Internal contacts: The jobholder is expected to work with senior management team, technical support, other teams across Edukans

External contacts: The jobholder will be expected work closley with the other partners within the Green and Decent Jobs for Youth (WeWork EU) in the Kampala metropolitan, the private sector, training providers local governments etc

How to apply:

A cover letter (1 page) including qualifications as well as salary expectations. Concise and accurate CV (maximum 3 pages) and copies of Academic certificates sent by email to uganda@edukans.org with a subject line indicating the EASY – Job title”. Qualified Females are encouraged to apply.

Closing Date: Applications will close at 04:59 on Thursday 19th June Uganda time.