Job Title: Mobilization and Participatory Planning Officer
Organisation: Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Project Name: National Oil Palm Project (NOPP)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About Organisation:
The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards financing a ten-year National Oil Palm Project (NOPP). The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) as the Lead Project Agency, in partnership with other agencies, private sector and farmer Organisations.
Job Summary: Reports to the Operations Manager, the Mobilization and Participatory Planning officer will lead the Project’s outreach to smallholder farmers and their mobilization as participants in Project activities, and for the development of the Oil Palm (OP) Hub Development Plans. In this, he/she will work closely with other members of the Operations team in the PMU, the members of the Hub Start-up teams, and the District Local Government.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Reach out to the identified communities in the OP hubs to explain the Project’s scope and the opportunities it offers to rural households, both as OP growers and as participants on other Project activities.
- Identify, mobilize and register smallholder OP growers, giving attention to both issues of capacity and of social inclusion.
- Identify the preparatory activities, assessment studies needed to feed into the OP Hub Development Plan; determine responsibilities for conducting them; and oversee their conducting.
- Draw up the requirements of the Hub Development Plan, define the responsibilities for its different elements, manage the drafting of inputs, and take responsibility for its overall preparation.
- Use the Hub Development Plan as a basis for providing guidance to the Hub Start-up team as to their required activities, phasing etc.
- Provide training on NOPP-specific outreach and mobilization of farmers to PMU and Hub-Start-up team members, as well as district local government staff.
- Monitor implementation progress of Hub Development Plans.
- Manage and liaise with the other stakeholders on Land management and environmental procedures.
- Liaise with communications department to package messages and materials to create project awareness
- Undertake other duties and responsibilities related to Project work as directed by the Operations Manager.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Education, Social Work & Social Administration, Social Development, Development Studies or related field from a recognised University.
- Postgraduate training in Project Planning, Social Sciences, Social Development, Demography or any other related field.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of work experience in community/rural development project,
- Experience of at least 2 years in the of application and use of Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems technologies.
- Experience working in a donor funded Project/intervention
- Experience in application of participatory approaches to community development.
- Competences:
- Knowledge of the IFAD’s Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) policies is required
- Knowledgeable of social and environmental issues in oil palm growing as laid down by RSPO
- Knowledge of targeting, mobilisation and grass root participation in rural/community development projects
- Knowledge and experience of participatory planning monitoring, evaluation and reporting
- Proficiency in the relevant computer applications (particularly MS Excel, Word and Power Point)
General Qualifications
Hub Offices will have the general responsibility for management of Project activities, working closely with the NOPP PMU, District Local Government and Management of BIDCO/Its subsidiaries in respective hubs. The team will ensure that the project is implemented according to the Loan Agreement and within the Government regulations. The Hub team will be responsible for planning, executing and reporting on the project implementation progress in respective Hubs. They will mobilize smallholder farmers to participate in oil palm production. They will provide technical support to the farmers in oil palm production and support access to production inputs by farmers. The team will keep accurate information and data on each of the farmers as required, including general farmer information, acreage, input amounts and value, to mention some.
The candidates for the positions should meet the following general qualifications:
- be a Ugandan Citizen;
- have general knowledge of project and business management with emphasis on work planning, budgeting and reporting;
- be computer literate and well versed with the use of Word, Excel and internet;
- be self-motivated and have the ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision to meet deadlines;
- be fluent in English – written and oral and demonstrate excellent report writing skills;
- possess advanced advocacy, communication and negotiation skills and ability to work as a team member;
- be conversant with rural development strategies and gender equity;
- have a working knowledge of GOU policies, operations and reforms;
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are advised to write application letters to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, attach copies of their Curriculum Vitae and academic documents. The applications should be submitted to the Ministry Registry
Deadline: 17th November 2025
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60