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Job Title:  Incubation Officer — Oil Seed Value Chain  

Organisation: Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development (CURAD)

Project Name: Strengthening Agribusiness Youth Employment (SAYE)

Duty Station: Jinja, Uganda

Reports to: Project Manager

About Organisation:

The Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development (CURAD) is a public-private Partnership founded in 2012 by Makerere University, NUCAFE, and NARO. It supports farmers, agribusiness startups. and young entrepreneurs by fostering innovation, productivity, and leadership in the agricultural sector. CURAD serves as an agribusiness innovation incubator to create jobs and improve incomes.

CURAD is part of a consortium implementing the Strengthening Agribusiness Youth Employment (SAYE), led by Heifer Project International in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The project aims to improve the socio-economic well-being of 250,000 youth (70% women, 3% with disabilities) In Uganda’s Busoga sub-region by 2029, focusing on skills development, market access, finance, and enabling environments. CURAD specifically delivers skills development and youth empowerment in decision-making.

Job Summary:   The incubation Officer — Oilseed Value Addition will be responsible for supporting startups, agripreneurs, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the oilseed sector to develop value-added products, improve productivity, and enhance market access. The role involves providing technical and business development support, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering innovation to strengthen the oilseed value chain.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Incubation Program Management

• Identify gaps and opportunities in the oilseed value chain and recommend targeted interventions.
• Design, implement, and manage incubation programs for oilseed startups, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and execute detailed plans for business support, coaching, and mentoring activities.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of incubated enterprises, providing tailored support to address specific needs

Value Addition Development:

• Conduct detailed analyses of oilseed value chains, identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement
• Facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies for processing oilseeds into high-value products, such as edible oils, biodiesel, animal feeds, and cosmetic ingredients.
• Provide technical guidance on improving oil extraction efficiency, refining, and packaging processes.
• Promote the development of by-products like seed cakes and bio-energy materials to enhance profitability.
• Conduct training on quality assurance, product certification, and branding to meet domestic and international standards
• Develop and implement strategies to address inefficiencies in production, processing, storage, and marketing.
• Strengthen linkages between oilseed farmers, processors, and buyers to create a seamless value chain.
• Advocate for infrastructure improvements such as storage facilities, processing plants, and distribution networks.

Training, Capacity Building and Mentorship:

• Organize workshops and hands-on training on post-harvest handling, processing techniques, and value addition for incubated agripreneurs.
• Develop and coordinate mentorship programs by connecting businesses with technical experts and industry leaders.
• Offer guidance in key areas such as product development. marketing strategies, quality assurance, and financial management.
• Facilitate exposure to industry best practices and innovative technologies for oilseed processing and value addition.

Entrepreneurial and Business Support:

• Identify and recruit startups, cooperatives, and SMEs involved in the oilseed sector into the Incubation program.
• Provide advisory services on business planning financial management, and operational efficiency.
• Support businesses in developing funding proposals and investment pitches to attract financing.

Market Development:

• Establish connections between oilseed producers. processors, and buyers to create effective market linkages
• Establish market linkages for value-added oilseed products by connecting businesses with buyers and distributors.
• Assist in developing branding strategies and securing certifications for premium market access.
• Promote oilseed products through trade fairs. exhibitions. and digital marketing platforms.
• Collaborate with financial institutions, investors, and technology providers to support the growth of incubated businesses.
• Represent the incubation program in trade fairs. industry events, and networking forums to promote partnerships.

Sustainability and Innovation:

• Encourage sustainable practices in oilseed production and processing. including waste minimization and eco-friendly technologies.
• Promote research and innovation to develop new value-added products and improve existing processes.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Track the progress of incubated businesses, focusing on value addition, market penetration, and financial growth.
• Develop and maintain a database of incubated startups and their progress.
• Use data to measure impact and identify areas for  improvement within the incubation program.
• Collect feedback and document success stories to improve program offerings.
• Prepare regular reports on program outcomes and impact metrics.

Stakeholder Engagement and Ecosystem Development:

• Build partnerships with stakeholders, including farmers. processors, researchers, and policymakers, to enhance the oilseed ecosystem.
• Advocate for policies and programs that promote value addition and sector growth.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in, Food Science, Agribusiness related field.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in agribusiness development, entrepreneurship development, value chain management in oilseed sector, or oilseed processing and marketing.
• Strong understanding of oilseed value addition processes, technologies, and market trends.
• Experience in supporting SMEs and cooperatives in scaling operations and developing innovative products.
• In-depth understanding of oilseed production, processing, marketing, and export requirements.
• Proven experience in providing technical and business support to startups and small enterprises.
• Proficiency in business analysis tools and project management software.

Key Competencies

• Excellent communication, training, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze value chain bottlenecks and develop practical solutions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to foster innovation.
• Knowledge of market trends, industry standards, and emerging technologies, quality assurance, certification, and market access requirements in the oilseed sector.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Results-driven with a focus on sustainable development and impact.
• This role offers a unique opportunity to foster innovation, enhance productivity, and create sustainable growth in the oilseed value chain while supporting agripreneurs to achieve success in their ventures.

Essential Character Traits:

• Respect, accountability, courage, analytical thinking, proactive problem-solving, and numerical accuracy.

How to Apply:

Submit your application to info@curadincubator.org with a copy to curad.curad@gmail.com or deliver hard copies to CURAD offices in  Namanve Industrial Park, Kabanyolo MUARIK. or Jinja Office (Plot 10. Kira Road).

Deadline: 14th February 2025

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