The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.
“Building Resilience and Inclusive Growth of Highland farming systems for rural Transformation” (BRIGHT) will target over 100,000 Ugandan highland households in Kigezi, Mt Elgon, and Rwenzori regions, building project interventions from the ground up that are based on the aspirations and needs of targeted farming households and communities. BRIGHT seeks to build the resilience capacity of farm households and the farming systems to recover from external shocks in an ever-changing context through absorption, adaptation, and transformation and, in so doing, increase incomes and food and nutritional security of all farmers, from subsistence-oriented farm households to more market-oriented ones.
The proposed project aims to achieve the following main impacts:
- Increased resilience, nutritional outcomes, and income for smallholder farm households; and
- Increased eco-efficient farming, making sustainable use of and protecting natural resources
IFDC is seeking recruitment for Market Access and Value Chain Development Field Officers for this project to be based in the main project office of Fort Portal(1), Kabale(1) and Mbale(1).
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Position summary
The Market Access and Value Chain Development Field Officer will be responsible for the roll out of training modules on post-harvest handling, including storage, to small holder farmers and farmer groups. The offier will support the Market Access and Value Chain Development Lead in building the capacity of market-oriented farmers in brokering equitable trade agreements with large commercial off-takers in the potato and other to be determined value chains. The officer will also help identify investment opportunities in infrastructure to facilitate market access and inter and intra community trade for more subsistence-oriented farmers. Finally, the officer help identify and support local entities such as seed companies and producers and agro-input delaers, to ensure that smallholder farmers have access to agricultural inputs and other services.
Main tasks and responsibilities
- Participate in value chain assessments of crops and livestock to inform the choice of strategic value chains that will be selected by the project
- Support the development of training modules for small holder farmers including Post Harvest Handling, Storage, and Marketing.
- Conduct the roll out of training modules on post-harvest handling, including storage, to small holder farmers and farmer groups.
- Identify opportunities for equitable and inclusive agreements between these key groups and market actors including off-takers
- Be the focal point with local public and private sector partners in infrastructure to facilitate market access and inter and intra community trade (feeder roads, stores etc)
- Provide support private sector actors on the development of last mile delivery systems for seed and ag inputs with that are effective in reaching small holder farmers
Supervision and team collaboration
The Market Access and Value Chain Development Field Officer is supervised by and reports to the Market Access and Value Chain Development Lead/Manager. She/ he works in close collaboration with project colleagues, other IFDC staff and colleagues from other consortium members.
Position and duty station
The Market Access and Value Chain Development Field Officer is a national position with a duty in one of the 3 project office of Fort Portal(1), Kabale(1) and Mbale(1).
The position requires intensive field travels (up to 90% of the time) in the target region in Uganda.
Required Skills
- Ability to work independently under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
- Act in accordance with and defend the best interests of IFDC
- Ability to work independently, under pressure to meet tight deadlines with quality output.
- Strong network in local and national communications and ability to find cost-effective means of promoting the projects achievements
- Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the achievement of goals.
- Consistently maintains focus and perseveres in the face of obstacles, inspiring others to do the same.
- Strong interpersonal and team working skills with ability to maintain effective work relationships
- Excellent communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively
- Anticipates key issues in work and identify creative and practical solutions.
- Great organizational skills and attention to detail in operationalization of administrative and finance tasks.
- Honors all commitments made to colleagues and partners.
- Have the ability to work in a multicultural environment, be open-minded and seek to understand
Required Experience
- Holds a degree in Agriculture, agribusiness, business and commerce or any other related course.
- Demonstrated experience (>3 years) in providing training and capacity building support to smallholder farmers on household visioning and planning, integrated farm planning and farming systems approaches.
- Demonstrated skills in effectively collaborating with local governments, research institutions, development partner projects, local organizations, private companies and other partners.
- Willingness to work in the field on a daily basis and travel on a motorcycle
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in small audience and large audience settings.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required, proficiency in multiple local languages is an asset.