Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, May 11 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Program: HortiMAP (DUTCH004N-ADMIN)
Reports to: HortiMAP Business Advisor
Location: Kisoro
Grade: 3
Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Job Summary:
This position is part of the Horticultural Value Chain Development Team which ensures delivery of high quality, customized trainings to MDF clients, specifically farmers, producer organizations, retailers, vendors and other SMEs
The Business Counsellor will work closely with, business advisors, Input suppliers, District Local Government departments, local stakeholders, partners, and respective country management. S/he will be responsible for delivering customized Entrepreneurship and micro-retailor trainings to Fresh Fruits and Vegetable (FFV) Vendors, micro-retailers and other selected SMEs, in addition, the Business counsellor may provide support to Associate Agronomy Advisor in the delivery of Entrepreneurship training to Producer Organizations and Entrepreneurial farmers

Program Overview:
Through the four-year HortiMAP program funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, TechnoServe and partners BID Capital, Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and PUM will transform the horticulture industry in Uganda. The program combines catalytic funding through a Market Development Facility and Technical Assistance fund to leverage private sector and local resources and expertise to strengthen SMEs and local supply chains, while delivering world-class entrepreneurship training to farmers and retailers to realize their potential. These interventions are expected to increase incomes for more than 31,000 horticulture farmers, create 12,000 jobs, and improve access to healthy, safe food for 270,000 Ugandan consumers.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
• Continuous mapping, selection, profiling and recruitment of FFV market Vendors, micro-retailers and market serving SMEs in targeted markets within their geographical locations
• Use TechnoServe’s tested assessment tools to benchmark Clients’ (Vendors, micro-retailers and Market serving SMEs) capacity and help identify areas for improvement.
• Use the result of the bench mark to tailor support to individual Client (Vendors, micro-retailers and Market serving SMEs) based on identified gaps
• Work with business advisor and Partnership manager to link Clients (market vendors, micro-retailers and SMEs) to business development service (BDS) providers to build capacity in core areas such governance, member services, and inclusive leadership of women and youth.
• Deliver direct training and coaching to Market Vendors and micro retailers in micro-retailing and vendor modules such as Shop/Stall Management, customer relationsFinancial Management, Supply Chain Management etc; and other modules related to food quality, standards, safety and nutrition, and offer business advisory to selected farmer groups.
• Support Partners in delivering training to Market Vendors and micro retailers in micro-retailing and vendor modules such as Shop/stall Management, Customer relations, Financial Management and Supply Chain Management, and other modules related to food quality, standards, safety and nutrition.
• Facilitate backward linkage among the core value chain actors, from Market end to Production and supply
• Collect baseline figures and measure impact in order to monitor progress (M&E)
• Planning of activities to ensure that the objectives of the program are met within the set times and resources and that impact is maximized
• Periodic reporting of the situation on the ground to provide both data and anecdotal evidence of impact
• With support of HortiMAP Business Advisor, and HortiMAP Partnership Manager, identify Business Development Service providers such as Micro-Finance Institutions and link them with the clients- Vendors and micro-retailers
• Building strong partnerships and professional working relations with key stakeholders in the districts of operation, such as District Local government, lower local government, Market leaderships and other projects in the area, etc.

Basic Qualifications:
• A diploma in Business related discipline such as Business studies, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness.
• A degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 2 years’ field experience with, Entrepreneurship development, Vendors and micro-retailor business support and engagement, youth and women entrepreneurship support.
• Knowledge of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable (FFV) sector, products and markets
• Strong private sector experience, facilitation skills and Participatory Approaches and client relationship building
• Relevant skills of Monitoring and Evaluation tools and practices including use of online digital platform for delivering trainings, data capturing and reporting
• Good computer skills (Excel and MS word)
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:
• Proficiency in the local language(s) or one of the local languages spoken in the district.
• Ability to ride a Motorcycle with valid riding permit is requirement.
Success Factors:
Competency is a combination of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) directly related to successful performance on the job.

Core Competencies include:
• Integrity and honesty: Is widely trusted; seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; does not misrepresent himself or herself for personal gain.
• Team Work/ Relationships: Works co-operatively and flexibly with other members of the team with a full understanding of the role to be played as a team member and/or leader, to achieve a common goal. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and networks.
• Learning attitude: Proactively takes advantage of opportunities to learn. Actively identifies new areas for learning; applies and shares new knowledge and skill appropriately.
• Diversity/Inclusiveness: Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diversity and supports diversity efforts. Interacts effectively with and inclusively with people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, ages, and genders.
• Communication: Expresses ideas effectively in individual and group situations. Listens effectively; shares information, ideas and arguments; adjusts terminology, language and communication modes to the needs of the audience; ensures accurate understanding; acts in a way that facilitates open exchange of ideas and information; uses appropriate non-verbal communication.
• Decision making/Problem Solving: Is able to analyze situations, diagnose problems, identify the key issues, establish and evaluate alternative courses of action and produce a logical, practical and acceptable solution. Is able to make effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, taking ownership of decisions, demonstrating sound judgement in escalating issues where necessary.
• Results Oriented/ High Quality Deliverables: Stays focused on the efforts necessary to achieve quality results consistent with programmatic or departmental goals. Demonstrates the ability to achieve effective results; works persistently to overcome obstacles to goal achievement. Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks.
• Planning & Time Management: Establishes a course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal. Effectively plans, schedules, prioritizes and controls activities; identifies, integrates and orchestrates resources (people, material, information, budget, and/or time) to accomplish goals. Prioritizes work according to the program or department’s goals, not just own job responsibilities; manages own time effectively.
• Business Acumen: The ability to use information, ask the right questions and take decisions that make an impact on the overall business performance.

Career Pathways:
The positions that may be a next career opportunity for employees in this job title include Associate Business Advisor.
We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org o r call +1 202 785 4515.

Qualifications
Skills
Required
Computer
Advanced
Communications
Advanced

Experience
Required
2 years:
• Minimum of 2 years’ field experience with, Entrepreneurship development, Vendors and micro-retailor business support and engagement, youth and women entrepreneurship support.
• Knowledge of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable (FFV) sector, products and markets
• Strong private sector experience, facilitation skills and Participatory Approaches and client relationship building




Job Experience:No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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