VECO East Africa
Job Title: Program Officers Inclusive Modern Markets (Uganda)
Duty Station: Mbale, Uganda - FFV UG
Reports to: Regional Coordinator IMM
About VECO:
VECO East Africa is a regional branch of Vredeseilanden VZW that is currently implementing sustainable agriculture chain development programs in Tanzania and Uganda. Vredeseilanden is a Belgian international NGO with its head office in Leuven that operates in 7 regions in 18 different countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
Within the East African program, VECO is working in selected geographical areas of Uganda and Tanzania to support Organized Family Farmers (male and female members) to actively participate in and equitably benefit from sustainable agricultural market chains and related economic processes for the enhancement of sustainable food and income security. VECO also works with relevant market actors, networks, and development institutions along identified agricultural market chains to maximize strategic partnerships in the interest of agricultural and economic development.
Job Summary:
The Program Officer will enhance inclusive and durable trading relationships between FOs and private companies
Key Duties and Responsibilities
plan, implement, monitor and adjust innovation/change pathways in inclusive business models in selected pilot chains within the IMM program in the country plan, coordinate, implement and monitor actions leading to set structural changes for inclusion of smallholder farmers at national level for Uganda: possible contact point for government
Develop, strengthen and support business linkages between FOs and private companies (facilitation and brokering role)
Strengthen the entrepreneurial attitude, skills and capacities of FOs (business plan development, offer of business support services to its members, commercial accounting, access to finance, quality control systems, Global Gap approval, production planning, …)
Provide strategic and technical guidance to FOs ensuring their inclusion in the chain
Design, test, and validate change/innovations in the linked business models
Monitor and document the change/innovations processes in the business models, the changes in behavior at the level of the involved FOs and companies, and the results of these in terms of improved small-holder livelihoods, and draw lessons
Make inventory and document experiences of other organizations with inclusive business models in the country
Contribute to the organizational development and strengthening of farmer organizations and export companies.
Document and translate the outcomes of the pilots as evidence for achieving structural changes and up-scaling at national level
Coordinate/implement the actions of/with the various partners in the achievement of the structural change agendas
Build up a close relationship with other private companies interested in sustainable sourcing from smallholder farmers
Network with other organizations that have a stake in the structural change agendas
Analyze and document the changing national context in relation to the business environment, the value chain, the market … and with regard to opportunities with/demands from other companies
Monitor and document the achievement of the national structural change agendas
Provide information, analysis, lessons learned to allow program management to readjust its programs
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The applicant should possess a Masters in Agriculture, Economics, or equivalent by experience
At least 3 years in value chain development in East- Africa, working with Farmer Organisations and private companies.
Experience as entrepreneur or farmer is an asset
Has an in depth understanding of the functioning of value chains from production to consumption and of their institutional environment
Has a good understanding of sourcing policies of companies
Has a good understanding of and experience working with Farmer Organisations
Has a good understanding of national and global market dynamics
Can apply methods to improve professionalism in all parts of the chain.
Communicates clearly in a variety of settings and styles and has good networking skills
Listens actively
Can persuade and inspire individuals and groups.
Can get messages across that have the desired effect
Is creative and has a sense for innovation and experiments
Experience in the horticultural sector.
How to Apply:
Please send a copy of your Motivation Letter, CV, mention your Salary Expectation & Availability Date to veco-ea@veco-eastafrica.org
Please refer in the subject to the specific function you apply for.
NB: Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview by phone or Skype on the 5th, 6th or 10th of December.
Deadline: 1st of December 2013
