The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:       Sector
Specialist: AgriTech – Department for International Trade

Organization: British
High Commission (BHC)

Duty Station: Kampala,
Uganda

Salary: UGX
13,792,022/=  monthly

Office Notice No.: 09/20 KPL

About US:

The British High
Commission is the diplomatic liaison office that aims to develop and maintain
close bilateral relations with Uganda, in accordance with British government
policies. The British High Commission is responsible for the political
relationship between the UK and Uganda, and we provide advice and guidance on
political and governance issues. BHC provides assistance and documentary
services to British nationals in Uganda. The UK Trade and Investment Section
provides assistance to both British and Ugandan businesses.

Job Summary:  The Sector Specialist: AgriTech – Department
for International Trade will join a dynamic network of committed trade officers
working to support Africa’s exciting economic growth and position at the heart
of the future world economy. This is an exciting time to join DIT Africa, as we
continue to expand our resources to deliver on the ambition of our current
Government to be Africa’s trade and investment partner of choice.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

·       
Agriculture,
including production and processing but with a particular emphasis on
agricultural technology and investment, is one of six sector priorities in
2020/21 for the Department for International Trade in Africa. The Sector will
be led by a Sector Director in South Africa working with a virtual team across
the continent. You will support that team in each location with expert advice
based on African agricultural needs, practices and regulations.

·       
You will
understand African needs intimately and be able to translate those to officials
less familiar with the sector. You will forge close relationships with African
producers, distributors and regulators such that you can interpret their needs
and develop solutions with and for them. You will seek first and foremost to
progress their plans and assist in their capability, but you will have a good
knowledge of international best practice to contribute.

·       
You will
bring a commercial perspective to agricultural progress and efficiency trying
to find the areas where commercial, investment or regulatory intervention could
improve the viability of African agricultural production for the marketplace.
This will be in complement to other actors for the British Government, with whom
you will forge close working relationships, whose primary interests might be in
e.g. food security and/or livelihoods. You will work to understand the
contribution of DFID and other programmes so that DIT can support these while
also adding value in its commercial and trade policy sphere.

·       
Your aim
will be to help African producers understand where a commercial application
could deliver on or raise their ambition. You will also consider where UK or
regional trade agreements could support growth for the sector. And you will
consider the question of access for African produce to valuable markets like
the UK and EU but where stringent standards need to be met on importation.

·       
Together
with expertise in agriculture, arable and pastoral, you will understand agricultural
finance and business and will help advise for different schemes on models of
finance including from UK Government partners including UKEF and DFID.

·       
You will
not be so concerned as colleagues with aligning African plans to UK solutions,
but it would help to understand UK capabilities, public and private, especially
in the area of research and innovation. For this you would make connections to
the UK’s innovation centres and support work that could have mutual benefit in
bringing ground breaking techniques to Africa.

·       
Your
role will be advisory, but you would be expected to show a clear contribution
to relationship development with African producers, to trade policy gains
helping African prosperity, and to the upskilling of our agritech network as
they better understand how to target solutions for African needs.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       
The
applicant for the British High Commission (BHC) Sector Specialist: AgriTech –
Department for International Trade job must hold an Undergraduate degree and
other relevant professional qualification or experience.

·       
At least
six years’ experience working in an agri-tech or related fields and a keen
interest in its applicability to Africa

·       
Experience
of working in or with government departments, NGOs, and similar institutions

·       
Proven
track record of cross-team collaboration

·       
A
positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way
through challenges.

·       
Knowledge
of African markets and/or African trade and production networks.

·       
Knowledge
of, and a keen interest in sustainable development

·       
Broad
knowledge and understanding of UK Export Finance and Development Finance,
although training will be provided is desired

·       
Competencies:
Making Effective Decisions,
Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial
Outcomes

How to Apply:

All suitably
qualified and interested candidates who wish to join the British High
Commission in the aforementioned capacity should apply by clicking on the link
below.

Click
Here

Deadline: 6^th August 2020

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