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Job Title:    Senior Project Officer (SPO)

Organisation: Solidaridad

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Project Manager

About US:

The Solidaridad Network is an international civil society organisation founded in 1969. Its main objective is facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and profitable supply chains. It operates through nine regional expertise centers in over 50 countries. We envision a world in which all we produce, and all we consume, can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other and the next generations. Our mission is to bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all stakeholders.

Job Summary:  The Senior Project Officer is responsible for the day to day design and implementation of the action and project deliverable. S/he is responsible for the coordination of interventions with Partners, SMEs, beneficiaries and related processes to ensure that Solidaridad’s anticipated program in Cereals, Root & Fruit Crops value chains is delivered on time and produces the desired results within scope and allocated resource envelope. The senior project officer will be in charge of all agribusiness activities and will ensure farmers’ capacity is developed with support from project Associates and lead farmers. He/She will take lead in training Project Associates and Lead farmers in business skills, Village saving and loan associations, farmers’ produce bulking, facilitating farmers’ linkages to SMEs / produce offtakers, Agro input dealers, farmers’ produce and financial institutions and other financial options.

The Senior Project Officer reports to the Project Manager. S/he will also be expected to work closely with the Senior M&E officer, Project officers, Project Associates , the national and regional programming team, especially the Impact investment officer, as well as the regional innovation team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Project Planning;

• Support the preparation of project work plans, budget and time schedules that support implementation of the project activities.
• Support the identification and planning of technical activities and requirements to implement the project as per the organizational standards.

Project Implementation Follow-up;

• Coordinate and implement day to day project activities with partners and beneficiaries in the field ensuring that technical quality and standards are considered and respected during project implementation.
• Ensure project activities are on time, target and budget, using effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to reach desired impacts.
• Assist the project team to trouble-shoot any project challenges during project implementation and identify feasible solutions.
• Provide regular and timely updates on progress and challenges to the Senior Project Officer and other team members.

Beneficiary Engagement and Accountability;

• Adhere to Solidaridad’s Code of Conduct and treat all beneficiaries with respect and without any distinction or discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, political opinion or disability.
• Support the selection of beneficiaries benefiting from the project activities using the tools provided.
• Communicate Solidaridad’s Complaints and Response Mechanism target communities and participate in solving complaints related to the project in coordination with the Project Manager
• Keep records of all the project activity documents, in particular beneficiary list, completion certificates, attendance sheets, farmers’ bulking data, saving data etc.
• Maintain a beneficiary master database containing all beneficiary registration and baseline information, as well as the project activities from which the beneficiaries benefitted ensure the data is protected from misuse in line with Solidaridad’s data protection policy.

Internal and External Coordination;

• Participate in project coordination meetings with the project team.
• Participate in the development of project communication materials for internal coordination.
• Ensure that project lead farmers understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities.
• Follow-up the work plans and day-to-day activities of the project lead farmers.
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics among field team members.
• Undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation.
• Cultivate good relations with key actors – local, regional and international, including government authorities and non-government organization actors, through regular attendance at technical meetings and bilateral meetings.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon – rather than replicate – the work of others.

Partner Management;

• Provide support to partners in project implementation and ensure timely and qualitative implementation of projects by partners in line with Solidaridad and donor requirements.
• Participate in review meetings with partners, with particular attention given to the relationship aspects of partnership collaboration, and ensure that any issues or disputes are resolved in a timely and professional manner.

Logistics and Security;

• Contribute to the development of project plans (e.g. procurement, logistics etc.), when assigned.
• Send accurate and precise order forms in a timely manner to the quality function team.
• Ensure proper management and use of the project assets and stocks.
• Plan field team movements based on available fleet and applicable policies.
• Ensure that each member of the project field team is aware of security issues, policies, Health and Safety, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and they follow them accordingly.

Finance and Quality Control;

• Forecast monthly cash requirements for the month’s project activities and submit to the Project Manager
• Ensure efficient use of allocated resources while providing the required accountability in a timely manner.
• Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision to the lead farmers, as well as regularly monitor the implementation of recommended practices by farmers.
• Document lessons learned and best practices and share them with the Project Manager and the Regional Communications Officer, so they can be reflected in project planning, communication materials and decision making.

Grant Management;

• Ensure adherence to donor procedures.
• Support the Project Manager in the preparation of progress and final reports, ensuring quality and accuracy of technical information for activities.
• Participate in communication activities through the regular collection of pictures and stories related to project activities.
• Participate in business development processes through the provision of expert programmatic advice related to contextual knowledge.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a relevant academic level education- Undergraduate degree– in relevant fields (e.g. Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Development Economics, Agricultural Rural development. Postgraduate studies in Agricultural Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, Project Management, Strategic Management is an added advantage.
• At least three years of experience working with projects funded by international agencies or development partners.
• Demonstrable experience in project design, planning and implementation.
• Experience with proposal writing and technical report writing.
• Experience in designing and facilitating workshops and seminars would be desirable.
• Experience in mobilizing, organizing and training producers in Cereals, Root Crops and Fruits crops.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to implement projects in collaboration with local partners to effectively meet project needs.
• Ability to work effectively with governmental and non-governmental organizations and local communities in carrying out project objectives.
• Excellent reporting skills and ability to relate sensitively to diverse groups.
• Self-driven and able to deliver results with minimum supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in English and the local Language).
• Excellent critical, creative thinking and analytical skills.
• Experience in program administration, operating procedures, oversight and monitoring.
• Ability to work with database applications.
• Knowledge of project funding procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to work in diverse situations.
• Experience in agricultural value chains preferably cereals, fruit crops and Root crops
• Experience in implementing certification projects is an added advantage
• Demonstrate experience in a similar position

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates that meet the above qualifications should send their one-page cover letter (including salary expectations and availability) and CVs via Email to: hr.eca@solidaridadnetwork.org  with the subject line as “Senior Project Officer (SPO)_ Uganda”

Deadline: 12^th November 2021

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