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Job Title:  Seed Production Officer  

Organisation: BRAC Social Enterprises (BSE) Uganda Limited

Duty Station: Nakaseke, Uganda

About Organisation:

BRAC Social Enterprises (BSE) Uganda Limited was established in 2010 as a not-for-profit venture to produce and distribute quality seeds, planting and stock material to vulnerable communities. BSE operates under BRAC International Enterprises B.V., a fully-owned subsidiary of Stichting BRAC International. BRAC International Enterprises B.V. (BIEBV) is a socially responsible for-profit organization dedicated to scaling impactful and sustainable social enterprises that contribute to the organization’s social mission while generating profits that further support scale and impact. In 2014, BSE transitioned to a fully-fledged commercial enterprise and expanded its services to field crop seeds research and certified seed processing, packaging, sales, marketing and distribution. In support of its social objective to improve employment opportunities, promote good agronomic behaviors and increase income among vulnerable communities, BSE works with smallholder farmers as contract growers (about 45% are women and youth) to produce and multiply quality seeds.

Job Summary:   As a Field Officer, you will play a pivotal role in BSE’s success by overseeing the recruitment, management, and technical support of contract growers throughout the entire crop production cycle. Your responsibilities will span from initial recruitment to the delivery of seeds, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the adherence to precise cultivation specifications, proper agronomic practices, and the management of the harvest and seed drying process.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, select and recruit model farmers, general farmers, community agriculture promoters, and prospective block farmers to multiply seed for the company.
• Establish and maintain relationships with contract farmers, ensuring clear communication.
• Oversee contract farmers, ensuring compliance and adherence to agreements.
• Identify the local cropping patterns in the local areas and guide the contract farmers on timely planting.
• Work closely with contract growers to ensure crops are planted according to precise specifications, including planting methods, spacing, timing, etc.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the progress and health of the crops.
• Conduct follow-ups with contract growers to ensure they follow appropriate agronomic processes, including weeding, application of manure, fertilisers, and pest control.
• Offer guidance and support to contract growers in resolving any cultivation challenges that may arise.
• Manage the harvesting process, ensuring it aligns with the optimal maturity of the crops.
• Provide technical advice and support to contract growers on seedbed preparation, planting techniques, crop protection measures, and best practices in crop management.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the agro-inputs, varieties, and prices.
• Maintain official documents including registers.

Safeguarding:

• Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the enterprise’s goals on safeguarding implementation.
• Establish a safeguarding culture across all levels of the enterprise by implementing BRAC International’s Safeguarding Policy, in collaboration with BRAC International’s Gender and Safeguarding team.
• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A qualifying candidate for this position should have bachelor’s degree of Agriculture, Horticulture, Crop Science, or a related field,
• Minimum of 3 years in a similar position, proven experience in crop production and agronomy. Familiarity with seed production and quality standards is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of crop cultivation, agronomy, optimal planting techniques, soil preparation, fertilisation, pest control, and weed management,
• Knowledge of seed production processes, agricultural best practices, and seed classes,
• Familiarity with the complete crop production cycle, from planting to harvesting,
• Awareness of agriculture industry standards and quality control measures,
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work closely with contract growers,
• Understanding of logistics involved in seed delivery, harvest management, and transportation,
• Ability to identify, recruit, and on board contract growers effectively, and provide sound technical guidance,
• Efficiently conduct regular field visits to monitor crop progress and provide on-site support,
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and data related to contract growers and crop production.
• Persons with disabilities and women are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send their application, CV and academic documents as one document addressed to the Head Human Resource of BRAC Uganda on bimcf.uganda@brac.net

The subject must be the name of the position applied for strictly when submitting. Only complete applications will be accepted, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: 3rd January 2025.

NOTE: BRAC Uganda doesn’t charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process from the applicants. Should you have any doubts about the authenticity of any communication purportedly on behalf of BRAC Uganda please send us an email before taking any further action in relation to the issue at hand.

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