Title: Agribusiness & Livelihoods Officer

Number of vacancies: 01

Reporting Lines: Program Coordinator, Head of Natural Resources Department, Executive

Director

Other Reporting lines: Project Accountant, Head of Finance Department

Background:

Joint Efforts to Save the Environment (JESE) is a non-profit organization in Uganda working on issues of sustainable environmental conservation and development. Since its inception 30 years ago, JESE has impacted farmers and communities adjacent to natural resources. JESE supports four domain areas: natural resources management, agriculture and livelihood improvement, water, sanitation hygiene (WASH) and youth skills development for both green and none green enterprises.

JESE,  in  partnership  with  Catholic  Relief Services  (CRS)  Uganda, is  seeking  to  recruit an Agribusiness & Livelihoods Officer to support the implementation of the M4LLR Project in the six districts of Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Bunyangabu, Ibanda, Kyegegwa, and Buhweju covering 38 sub-counties in these districts. The specific objective of the M4LLR project is to establish market linkages for smallholder farmers participating in land restoration initiatives in Uganda. The project will strive to facilitate the integration of climate-smart and sustainable land restoration practices within profitable and diversified agroforestry production systems.

Objective:

The objective of this Terms of Reference is to outline the requirements and responsibilities for recruiting an Agribusiness & Livelihoods Officer to support JESE in implementing the M4LLR Project in the specified districts.

Scope of Work:

The project officers will be responsible for the following tasks:

•    In  consultation  with  the  Project  Coordinator,  develop  milestone  plans  for  the implementation of the M4LLR Project in the designated districts and sub-counties.

•    Support mapping out of formal SMEs/Financial Institutions in each target district to build an initial pipeline of potential SCRF grant funding.

•    Leverage   Restore   Africa   (RESAf)   program   smallholder   farmer   and   farmer groups/cooperatives engagement to facilitate linkages with interested private sector partners (off takers and input/service providers) and identify potential market actors in each target district for support under SCRF grant funds.

•   Sensitize and create awareness among farmer groups and local leaders about M4LLR

activities and their intended objective.

•    Support specialized  training  and  capacity-building  programs  to  enhance  the  groups’ competencies in financial management, business planning, and partnership cultivation, tailored to the specific needs of smallholder farmers engaged in land restoration.

•    Facilitate a cocreation activity with the private sector partners (e.g. coffee and cocoa exporters) and provide technical support to engage smallholder farmers to diversify production and integrate new (agroforestry) crops into their plots.

•    Coordinate with private sector market actors to develop business cases (Agroforestry business Model) for ‘typical’ smallholder farms in different production systems factoring in seasonal and multiyear cash flows (short-term, medium term and long-term income generation) including focus on nutrition sensitive agroforestry potential.

•    Identify capacity and conduct gap assessment including gender sensitive self-assessment for groups who have signed Carbon Development Agreements (CDAs) to ensure that the governance frameworks are designed to actively involve women and youth.

•    Conduct regular field visits to implement and monitor M4LLR project activities, provide technical support, and troubleshoot/address any challenges.

•   Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle.

Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.

•    Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

•    Ensure  project  documentation  for  assigned  activities  is  complete  with  all  required documents.

•    Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.

•   Prepare and submit timely project reports, including progress updates.

•    Manage activity budgets, logistics, and resources allocated in line with JESE’s financial guidelines

•   Represent JESE in relevant meetings, workshops, and forums related to the Restore Africa

Project at District level.

Qualifications and Requirements:

The ideal candidates for the Agribusiness & Livelihoods Officer position should possess the following qualifications and requirements:

•    A Bachelor’s Degree required. Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or related studies with specialized study in Market Systems Development or relevant field.

•    Minimum of 3 years of work experience in project support, in the field of livelihoods, agribusiness, business development support, agriculture or agroforestry.

•    Strong  leadership and interpersonal  skills,  with the ability  to work effectively  in a multicultural and diverse environment

•   Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

•    Experience  with  working  with  local  stakeholders,  participatory  action  planning  and community engagement.

•   Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

•   Prior experience in business development services and/or in financial services is a plus.

•   Experience working with an NGO is a significant advantage.

•   Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and any other relevant local languages.

•    Familiarity with project monitoring and evaluation, budget management, and reporting processes

•    Knowledge of the geographical and socio-economic context of the six districts and their respective sub-counties.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

JESE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that JESE requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding related topics.

All candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply by following the provided instructions. Candidates from the Project targeted districts are encouraged to apply.

Application: Interested applicants should send their applications to the Human Resources

Manager, JESE via email to  jese@je se.or g  and copy in:  busiing e@je se.or g  and  ori shaba @jese.or g.

Timeline: All applications should be submitted to JESE by 15th September 2024.

Kindly be aware that this position is contingent on JESE successfully obtaining funding from the donor.

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