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Job Title:   Value Chain and Business Development Officer    

Organisation: Food for the Hungry (FH/U)

Duty Station: Lamwo, Uganda

About US:

Food for the Hungry (FH/U) is a Christian international relief and development organization that has been working in Uganda since 1989. FH is currently operating programs in Asia, Latin America and Africa with support offices in the UK, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, United States of America and Japan. FH’s primary goal is to end all forms of poverty World-wide. In Uganda, FH is operational in the Districts of Adjumani, Kitgum, Lamwo, Kole, Kween, Mbale, Namutumba and Amudat Districts implementing programs in four main sectors of Education; Food Security and Livelihoods; Health/Nutrition and Disaster Risk Reduction; with the Head office located in Kampala.

Job Summary: As the Value Chain and Enterprise Development Officer within the Lamwo Area Program, He/ She will play a pivotal role in driving agricultural value chain initiatives to enhance rural livelihoods. Collaborating closely with project teams and local farmers, He/ She will lead in the design, implementation, and management of projects focused on improving the economic well-being of communities. His/ Her responsibilities will encompass providing technical guidance, conducting comprehensive value chain analyses, delivering capacity-building trainings, and cultivating partnerships with stakeholders to ensure project success. Working under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, His/ Her expertise and experience will be essential in developing and coordinating effective agriculture-related value chain schemes, including capacity-building initiatives for local farmers. This role presents an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the livelihoods of rural communities within the Lamwo Area Program, aligning with Food for the Hungry’s commitment to sustainable development and social inclusion.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management and Implementation:

• Develop, implement, and manage projects to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve rural livelihoods in the Lamwo Area Program.
• Serve as the focal person for designing, implementing, and monitoring all value chain processes and marketing activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
• Coordinate with partners, including private enterprises, community-based organizations, and NGOs, to leverage resources and ensure complementarity in project efforts.
• Monitor project progress and prepare detailed annual work plans and progress reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in project implementation.
• Supervise and monitor the implementation of value chain activities, ensuring adherence to quality standards and timely delivery of outputs.

Technical Guidance and Capacity Building:

• Provide technical guidance and capacity-building training to farmers and producer groups, empowering them with the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable agriculture practices.
• Conduct value chain analysis to identify gaps and recommendations for improvement, informing evidence-based decision-making.
• Support the formation of cooperatives and producer groups for agro-based inputs, fostering collaboration and collective action among stakeholders.
• Gather data for effective monitoring and evaluation of value chain activities, facilitating continuous learning and adaptation.
• Develop and deliver capacity development activities in the areas of agribusiness, enterprise selection, value chain, and marketing development, tailoring interventions to the needs of target beneficiaries.

Market Analysis and Reporting:

• Conduct market assessments and prepare clear reports as required, informing market-driven interventions and strategies.
• Collaborate with the technical team to map value chains, identifying key actors and opportunities for value addition and market access.

Partnership and Relationship Management:

• Cultivate partnerships with stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Collaborate with the technical team to map value chains, identifying key actors and opportunities for value addition and market access.

Innovative Intervention and Proposal Development:

• Participate in the development of project proposals and concept notes, leveraging your expertise to contribute to the design of innovative interventions.

Flexibility and Additional Duties:

• Perform other related duties as requested, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to achieving project goals.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant should have relevant qualifications




Skills and competencies:

• Strong understanding of stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and private enterprises.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate and network with diverse stakeholders, fostering positive relationships and collaborations.
• Demonstrated competency in developing and implementing effective strategies, and business plans, and managing budgets to drive agricultural value chain initiatives.
• Proven ability to nurture and build effective partnerships with various stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to achieve project goals and objectives.
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and multidisciplinary environment, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and adaptability in interactions with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in computer literacy, with additional expertise in statistical or similar software, enhancing data management and analysis capabilities. Knowledge of ICT applications in value chains is advantageous.
• Ability to organize farmers into business organizations and facilitate linkages to markets, enabling access to value-added opportunities and sustainable income generation.
• Broader knowledge and expertise in Business Development Services (BDS), including market analysis, product development, and financial management, to support the growth of agricultural enterprises.
• Commitment to strictly follow organizational policies and procedures, as well as maintaining confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• Capacity to establish and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with government officials, UN agencies, local organizations, communities, and other stakeholders, fostering trust and cooperation.

NB: FHU is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by Clearly stating the position applied for in the Subject line and submitting only electronic copies in one pdf file not more than 25MB of an application letter, a detailed CV, contact telephone numbers, copies of relevant testimonials/certificates, names/contact details of three referees, addressed to:

The Human Resources Manager, Food for the Hungry Uganda Email: recruitment-fhuganda@fh.org

Deadline: 11th June, 2024.

Consider your application unsuccessful if you don’t hear from us by 30th June 2024.

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