Summary
Date Posted: Friday, August 16 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Rikolto is an international network organisation with over 40 years of experience in partnering with food chain stakeholders in Africa, Asia, Europe and LatinAmerica. We build bridges of trust and trade between the food industry, governments, research institutions, financial institutions and farmers’ organisations around one central question: ‘What will we eat tomorrow?’
Rikolto has been active in Uganda since1995 implementing several programs all over the country. Currently we are implementing a rice program and our Food Smart Cities program, where we work on getting safe, affordable food in cities. Generation Food, is a three-step program consisting of a Hackathon, Bootcamp and Incubation, empowers Youth to start their enterprise in the Agricultural value chain and is a vital part of this program.
This position requires interest and expertise in sustainable youth entrepreneurship, urban food systems, sustainable crop production, M&E, inclusive business models, Cooperative governance, as well as other issues such as climate change, urban planning, and supply chain management. The project assistant will play an important role in Providing ToT sessions with Cordaidand CINOP to build the capacity of the VET centres on how to support the trainees on leveraging the business opportunity in the food chain in the

Context of the Project
To build sustainable livelihoods for the fast-growing young population living in rural and semi-urban areas in Uganda attractive, qualitative and competent Vocational Education and Training (VET) centres are crucial to respond to the needs of the labour market and build the next workforce generation.
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The West Nile region, where over 700,000 refugees have settled, presents an emerging dynamic in the food system, whereby rapid urbanisation, population growth, and refugee influxes create challenges but also new income opportunities for entrepreneurs along the value chain.
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The project will use a Systematic Approach to StrengtheningAgribusiness Vocational Education and Training (SASA-VET) in West-Nile inUganda to contribute to agri-business job opportunities as wage or self-employment for the growing workforce and enable rural economic development.
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The envisioned impact is that VET centres are structurally strengthened to enable young men and women to grasp agri-business income opportunities in the modern economy in rural and semi-urban areas. The specific objectives are: 1. Institutionalisation of innovative skills training in curricula allows four VETs to better meet the skills need for wage employment and self-employment. 2. Inclusive and practical learning methodologies improve quality, effectiveness, and attractiveness of four VET centres in West Nile. 3.VET graduates are linked to an enabling environment. 4. The four VETs are well connected with local economy stakeholders.

As a Project assistant, you will contribute to the curriculum revision by integrating the Food Smart City programme models into the curricula of the VET centres. Providing ToT sessions with Cord aid and CINOP to build the capacity of the VET centres on how to support the trainees on leveraging the business opportunity in food chain in the urban and peri-urban areas and the skills can be applicable for wage opportunity with private sector or self-employment as entrepreneurs in food business in the urban areas in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Support the development of project plans, timelines, and schedules, ensuring alignment with Rikolto’s objectives and strategies.
• Organise and facilitate field visits, ensuring that project stakeholders are engaged and informed about on going activities.
• Assist in the execution of project activities, including organizing workshops, training sessions, and meetings with stakeholders.
• Maintain communication with project stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, local communities, government agencies, and other NGOs.
• Collect and compile data for project monitoring and evaluation, prepare progress reports, and support the documentation of project outcomes.
• Assist in budget tracking, processing invoices, and managing project-related financial documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of project activities, correspondence, and documentation required for audits and reports.
• Help in organizing and conducting training sessions for project beneficiaries, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to participate effectively in the project.
• Assist in the development of training materials, manuals, and other resources needed for capacity-building initiatives.
• Participate in data collection activities for research purposes, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.
• Assist in analyzing data to inform project decisions, evaluate project impact, and support the development of new project proposals.
• Ensure that project activities comply with Rikolto’s policies, donor requirements, and local regulations.
• Support the identification and mitigation of risks associated with project activities.
• Work closely with other departments within Rikolto to ensure a cohesive approach to project implementation.
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Expected Outputs
The successful completion of your responsibilities will contribute to :
• Innovative, sustainable pilots that drive planned structural changes and business models.
• Strong business linkages with partners.
• Enhanced entrepreneurial attitude, skills
• High quality analysis of (sustainability) trends and opportunities in relation to the business environment.
• Strong network and coordination with partners and key stakeholders.
• Effective learning processes that lead to improvements in program design.
• Meticulous documentation and translation of pilot outcomes.

Education
• Master’s or (Bachelor’s) Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics,Business or Cooperative Development.

Experience
• Excellent networking, relationship building and negotiation skills.
• Good understanding of urban food and agriculture issues – including the food system approach and food governance issues, youth engagement in food system, gender issues etc.
• High level of verbal and written fluency in English.
• Rider license for motorcycle is an asset
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Knowledge and Skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a results-oriented mindset.
• Effective communication, networking, and collaboration skills.
• Understanding of cluster, and hub approaches, lead firm approaches, and gender empowerment strategies.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, certifications, and quality management systems.
• Proficiency in sustainable non-financial and financial services, including market information systems.
• Understanding of sustainability and environmental issues, with the ability to interpret and communicate information to stakeholders.
• Familiarity with market Dynamics of high-value crops.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
• Strong proficiency in English (both verbal and written).

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months:

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

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