Jobs at:
VECO East Africa

Vacancy title:
Uganda Programme Coordinator

Deadline of this Job:
2nd January 2017

Duty Station:
Uganda

Job details:
Uganda Programme Coordinator

Vredeseilanden (VECO) is an international NGO working in 14 countries across 3 continents. VECO’s Mission is to enable and support smallholder farmers to take up their role in rural poverty alleviation and to contribute to feeding a growing world population in a sustainable way. VECO East Africa works in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. VECO East Africa will work over the next 5 years to contribute to structural changes in the agri-food system tor horticulture, grains that unlock the potential of smallholder farmers and promote sustainable value chains.

Job purpose
To enhance the inclusion of Ugandan small scale farmers. in durable and fair trading relationships with private companies in national, regional and export markets for horticulture, grains including pulses and promote structural changes to improve competitiveness in the Uganda agricultural sector.
Reports to: Regional Representative

Staff / Partner Management: Manages up to 5 to 10 staff. Supports 10 to 20 partner relationships.

Budget Management: Manages annual budgets of up to USD 750,000

Geographic scope: National for policy work.

VECO Grade: BG-11-GEN: Manager / Authoritative Specialist

Responsibilities

• As part of the ‘Regional Management Team contribute to VECO EA strategy development
  
• Work with the Uganda team to develop and improve the Uganda programme so it contributes strongly to the delivery of the VECO EA Strategy, with a focus on policyl structural changes '
  
• Support the Uganda team to deliver innovative pilots which contribute to a growing evidence base tor policy work.
  
• Provide technical leadership in helping Uganda team members identify value chain~ wide business improvement strategies
  
• Ensure value chain improvement initiatives are inclusive and aligned with thn nclore business objectives. Directly manage key projects as required by the Regional Representative.
  
• initiate learning exchanges between chain actors and stakeholders to promote policy y dialogue on strategic issues
  
•  Work with the Tanzania Programme Coordinator, Senior Adviser and Regional Representative to design and implement I East Africa Regional initiatives to address policy/structural issues
  
• Represent VECO East Africa in the country in a leading and visible way
  
• Ensure donor requirements for projects and grants are met in a timely manner
  
• Ensure internal. planning, learning and reporting processes are of high quality
  
• Ensure effective financial management of resources and risks are minimized
  
• Support development of VECO staff and partner capacity

Expected Outputs

• High quality analysis of trends and opportunities
  
• Strong network with key stakeholders
  
• High performing, motivated and accountable staff and partners
  
• Significant and sustainable benefits lor ; farmers working in the pilots
  
• Effective learning processes which lead to improvements in programme design
  
• Effective muiti-stakeholder platforms which strengthen smallholder farmer voice
  
• Pipeline of funding opportunities and expansion of work in Uganda
  
• VECO programme in Uganda is well known for its excellence

Education and Experience:

• Master Degree in Agriculture, Economics, Rural Development Sociology or equivalent by experience
  
•  At least10years in value chain development, working with a variety of stakeholders.
  
• Program management and lobby/advocacy experience would be appreciated.

Knowledge and skills

• Strategic thinker who is able to see problems from deferent angles.
  
• Results orientated
  
• Deep understanding of Uganda context for agribusiness and farmer organization development
  
• In depth knowledge of the institutional environment and how to bring about policy changes
  
• Understands national, regional and global market dynamics of high value crops and grains
  
• Experience in facilitating Multi-Stakeholder Processes
  
• In-depth understanding of VCD approaches including gender empowerment approaches
  
• Good understanding of sourcing policies of companies, and able to work in an entrepreneurial way
  
• Experienced in developing business models and business plans for farmers business organizations and SMEs.
  
• Technical expertise to see possibilities of fostering innovation, challenging stakeholders and providing leadership for innovations.
  
• Good understanding of sustainability I environment including food safety issues in high value crops and grains
  
• Vast experience working with farmers business organizations and facilitation of collective action
  
• Good understanding of Program Cycle Management including monitoring and reporting
  
• Communicates clearly in a variety of settings and styles and has good networking skills
  
• Good computer operation Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  
• Good proficiency in English (speaking and writing)
  
• Licensed and able to drive a manual car

Job application procedure
Qualified individuals should submit their applications and Curriculum Vitae to the Regional Representative VEGO East Africa through veco-ea@veco-eastatrica.org  by 2nd January 2017.
Qualified Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply