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Job Title: Market Development Officer (9 Job Vacancies)

Location: Busoga and Lango, Uganda

Reports to: Market Development Coordinator

 

About Project:

GOAL and its consortium partner, Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) will be commencing on an anticipated 5 years resilient and inclusive economic development programme funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kampala.

 

The objective of the programme is to build climate resilient and more productive farming systems and livelihoods, with environmentally sustainable and commercially viable practices, as such sustainably increasing productivity and income of 200,000 smallholder farming households (SHF) in Busoga and Lango regions. The project is built around four pathways and outcomes:  Pathway and Outcome 1: focuses on enhanced social resilience and agency in SHF households and communities; Pathway and Outcome 2: focuses on ensuring SHF farming systems are more sustainable, productive and resilient to shocks.; Pathway and Outcome 3: focuses on SHF actively participating and benefiting in inclusive markets ; and Pathway and Outcome 4: ensures SHF have enhanced voice and influence to address market system issues.

 

Job Summary: The Market Development Officer will be responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of market development activities in coordination with MSD Coordinator within the Busoga and Lango region.  The Market Development Officer will support private sector actors to design, test, and deliver a wide range of appropriate services that increase small holder farmers’ employment and food security within the agricultural market system. The Market development officer will be a core member of the INSPIRE Program Team, working in a matrix environment as a technical resource person for integrating market development best practices into the program. This position will join market development officers based in different districts of operation and will closely work with other INSPIRE project staff to ensure proper integrations of all the interventions. This specific position will focus on market systems in agriculture, natural resources and climate adaptation and will also contribute to expertise in having smallholder farming systems more sustainable, productive and resilient to shocks. The Market Development officer will support in development of tools, resources and conduct training and coaching to partner staff to support cross-project learning and the overall technical of inclusive markets portfolio.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning, developing, and implementing market development activities.

• In coordination with the Technical Specialists and local partners, plan, implement and monitor market development activities within the assigned district.
• Support private sector actors to design, test, and deliver a wide range of appropriate services that increase small holder farmers employment and self-employment within the agricultural market system.
• Assist in developing capacity building materials for business, technical and financial capacities as well as participate in capacity building sessions.
• Help execute related field activities to ensure that the programme results are achieved to the highest standard, and that project deliverables are completed as planned.
• Support mobilization and engagement of targeted small holder farmers to fully participate in the programme for sustainability.
• Support partners to identify small business activities for seed support through basic improvements or inputs.
• Identify value-addition opportunities that strengthen economic opportunities, for smallholder farmers in the livestock and agriculture sectors

Collaboration/Networking

• Strengthen linkages between targeted groups, private sector actors, farmers associations, micro and small business owners, government agencies, microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and banks.
• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with Partners and district leadership and local government departments, representing GOAL in district coordination meetings and soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate and as directed by the line manager.
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government departments, NGO’s and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager.
• Participate in the planning of learning and review meetings that bring private and public sector entities together to collectively review and discuss technology developments and innovation.

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work closely with the district monitoring and evaluation team to capture the required data for measuring output and impact of the programme.
• Ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field and entry in the program PSA tracker and CommCare database and for preparation of communication materials.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary.
• Maintain proper filing system in regard to market development activities of the program.

Representation and Coordination

• The MDO is expected to be the focal person for all coordination, partnership and related activities with local level private sector services providers, and related stakeholders within the district of jurisdiction.
• Liaise with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Markets for Small holder farmers market-based interventions.
• Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing the programme at district coordination meetings as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Essential Criteria

• A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry, Development Economics, Rural Development,
• Minimum of 2 -years’ experience working with the private sector actors
• Knowledge and experience in business financing for SME’s.
• Highly motivated and motivating individual who can lead SME’s from both the front and behind (depending on the situation)
• Partnership management skills and knowledge

Desirable Criteria

• Some practical experience in working with both very small and medium sized companies in a development setting,
• Knowledge of the agricultural sectors highly desirable
• Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly
• Strong communication skills
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

GOAL

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a global team of 2,400 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 13 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development Programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

 

General description of the country programme:

First operational in Uganda in 1979, the current GOAL Uganda country programme focuses on Health (including WASH, Health Accountability and Nutrition programing); and a market-based systems approach to improving agricultural livelihoods and WASH. GOAL Uganda mainstreams gender, child protection, social behaviour change and resilience strategies across all programming. GOAL works on a district focused approach and uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with national and international civil society organizations, local government, the private sector and communities to give effect to our mission.

 

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

 

Accountability within GOAL

• Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:
• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

 

GOAL Uganda has a skilled team of approximately 130 personnel and manages an annual operating budget of approximately €9.7 million (2024). GOAL is currently operational in the North, South, East and West of Uganda with six established offices in Kampala, Lira, Mbale, Kabarole, Moroto, Kaabong and Agago Districts. GOAL Uganda country programme is funded by a number of donors who include Mastercard, charity water, Irish Aid and some small foundations.

Our package includes a competitive salary, health insurance cover for up to 3 dependents, comprehensive 24-hour personal accident cover, terminal benefits equivalent to one month for each completed year of service, a flexi-work arrangement and our working hours provide for a half day on Fridays. GOAL promotes a learning and development environment with training & study opportunities aligned to our staff development policy.

 

How to Apply:

All candidates should apply online at the link below.

 

Click Here

 

Deadline: 14th August 2024

 

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