Private Sector Engagement Manager

Background:

Cardno International Development (ID) manages a number of donor-funded programs throughout the world and engages in international development as a holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated process. Strengthened by our geographic and market diversity, we are committed to providing innovative and integrated solutions that create opportunities for significant, lasting change in emerging economies. Collaborating with multilateral and bilateral donors, private clients, governments and communities to develop sustainable solutions to complex challenges, we work with local counterparts to achieve meaningful impact. Cardno has implemented more than 120 projects in Uganda.

Purpose:
The Private Sector Engagement Manager, under J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (JAA), a subcontractor, will provide technical support to the Contractor during implementation of the Activity. S/he will work with IAOs and support public private dialogue facilitation and institutional linkage building. JAA has assisted business and government leaders to implement strategic changes designed to achieve rapid growth that is economically, politically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Private Sector Engagement Manager will support the ISS Activity through the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with the private sector in Uganda, particularly with their representatives at the national apex organization level including Uganda Seed Traders’ Association, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, and the Uganda Cooperative Alliance, amongst others.
• Facilitate dialogue between apex organizations and other representatives of the private sector and between the private sector and the government, and coordinate efforts to respond to private sector priorities.
• During the Inception Phase of the Activity, engage with key private sector stakeholders, participate in the Activity’s facilitation of public-private dialogue or meetings, and participate in the development of the following deliverables: Apex Organization Capacity Assessments, and the Agricultural Governance System and Constraints Analysis.
• Analyze institutions’ roles within the agriculture market system and their interactions, as well as opportunities for collaboration on policy reforms and system improvement; identify ways to strengthen incentives for IAOs, MDAs, and others in agriculture market systems in Uganda to collaborate and share; develop a map of IAOs and their roles in the market system and public-private dialogue; identify reform champions and develop a strategy for coalition-building efforts.
• Organize and facilitate public-private dialogues on important agriculture policy issues, including helping to strengthen multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms, strengthening Ugandan MDAs and IAOs’ ability to host the platforms, and including research institutions and other experts to support and engage in the dialogue.
• Help IAOs strengthen their engagement and communication with private sector organizations, companies, and farmers.

• • Help IAOs strengthen their communication and cooperation, including by coordinating information sharing, establishing Communities of Practice, working groups, forums, and other mechanisms.
  • Provide training and consulting to apex organizations on the policy reform cycle, evidence-based advocacy, public-private dialogue, strategic communications, and monitoring implementation of reforms; provide inputs for other trainings for IAO Staff.

• Plan and implement meetings, events, and other activities to support IAOs, facilitate public-private dialogue, and build institutional linkages.
• Ensure that activities are planned and delivered according to program standards.
• Contribute to the development of strategies, work plans, and outreach related to private sector engagement, public private dialogue, strengthening IAOs, and linking institutions.
• In collaboration with MEL and other technical team members, strengthen data and monitoring to ensure that activities in private sector engagement, public private dialogue, strengthening IAOs, and linking institutions are tracked and appropriate response strategies are implemented; analyze and report on program and Activity progress and contribute to the Activity’s learning agenda.
• Contribute to annual work planning, training plans, quarterly reports and other required technical reports. Stay up-to date on global best practices, new developments and emerging issues in private sector engagement, public private dialogue, strengthening IAOs, and linking institutions
• Serve as the point of contact for/working with IAO counterparts to ensure activities are implemented as planned between the Activity and the IAOs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in field related to business, management, economics, political science, law, or development studies.
• Five (5) years or more of professional experience in the fields of policy reform, agriculture, economic reform, and/or business management.
• Familiarity with, and ability to apply and adapt methods to engage the private sector in policy reforms, advocacy, public-private dialogue, and monitoring implementation of reforms.
• Previous experience supporting USAID funded projects or other development organizations on projects and programs.
• Ability to work well in a team and with minimum supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ugandan citizen.
• Oral and written fluency in English.

Estimated Period of Performance:
The opening is a full-time position and will require staff time of 40 hours a week.

Estimated Level of Effort:
This is a long-term position and is based in Kampala, Uganda.

Reporting:
The Institutional Strengthening Manager will report to the Institutional Strengthening Lead.

Application Instructions:
Send your application via info@ftfugandaiss.com by June 25, 2021 at 4:00 pm EAT. Late applications will not be accepted.

Equal Opportunity statement: Cardno has a long-standing policy of Equal Opportunity in employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. At any time, if you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources at jobs@cardno.com.

Visit our website at www.cardno.com/internationaldevelopment – to learn more about Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd.