Uganda: Agricultural Advisor

Aug 30, 2015 | ZOA
View Original

ZOA is a Christian international NGO, with its head office based in the Netherlands. ZOA operates in fifteen countries on three continents. We provide relief to people affected by conflict or natural disasters. We contribute to a new perspective of hope in which people work together for a promising future in dignity and mutual trust. Together with the affected communities we work on the recovery of their livelihoods. ZOA Uganda uses a community based approach  in rehabilitation and recovery program in the sectors livelihoods, WASH, education, and economic development. Together with partners and research institutions we seek for new and improved livelihood opportunities for the communities in our program areas.

ZOA  Uganda offers a challenging job, within an inspiring and motivated team in the programme country.  For more information about our organisation please visit our website: www.zoa-international.com

Job Description Agricultural Advisor

The Agricultural Advisor will be responsible for the development, monitoring and quality assurance of the livelihoods projects of ZOA Uganda in Northern Uganda. Subsectors of relevance include crop farming, agro-pastoralism, apiculture and agribusiness.

The Agric Advisor has his/her duty station in Kampala with an estimated 50% of the time on field missions to West-Nile, Acholi or Karamoja sub region.

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Provide quality assurance on field implementation of livelihoods projects and support & coach field staff
  • Develop agribusiness and private sector development strategy and take initiatives to establish private partnerships between agro value actors and producer organizations
  • Develop modalities to strengthen access by producer organizations to finance, quality agro inputs, markets, services and information
  • Lead & coach staff in M&E activities for livelihoods projects, development sampling tools, analysis of data and writing of monitoring reports
  • Lead practical action research projects on farming systems & technology adoption and review data analysis & reporting process of external surveys
  • Review and edit project implementation tools and donor progress reports
  • Lead project proposal development in the agricultural and livelihoods sector and identify external partners to cooperate with in the process
  • Support development of program plans and program strategy towards food security, agriculture and livelihoods
  • Provide up-to-date information on developments in agro-business development in Uganda and define areas of intervention for ZOA Uganda
  • Represent ZOA Uganda in stakeholder platforms to promote ZOA`s approach and network  with external agencies or donors to identify fund raising opportunities

Profile

 

Identity

  • Being a Christian adhering to the Christian identity of ZOA
  • The candidate is expected to fully support the vision and mission of ZOA

Structure

  • The agric advisor reports to the Program Advisor
  • The agric advisor interacts frequently with the field based project coordinators, project managers and program managers
  • The agric advisor occasionally supervises data entrants, consultants or trainees
 

Job Requirements

    Knowledge / experience

  • Masters in relevant sector.
  • Minimum of four years of work experience in livelihoods or agricultural development, including at least one year in a field based position
  • Technical knowledge on Food security, Integrated soil fertility management, Farming systems analysis, Extension approaches, Climate smart agriculture , Disaster risk reduction, Practical action research cycle, Value chain strengthening,  Market development & facilitation and Rural finance
  • Knowledge and expertise on hydrology, water for production ( irrigation systems, water ponds, subsurface dams, rock catchments) is considered to be a plus

Skills/Attitude

  • Proven strong writing and analytical skills.
  • Good communication skills
  • Capable to maintain to good relationships with stakeholders amongst which donors
  • Excellent command of English.
  • Critical mindset and interest to explore innovations
  • Coaching and mentoring skills
  • Able to take initiatives and work with limited supervision
  • In depth understanding of smallholder farming systems in East Africa
  • Willingness travel frequently in Northern Uganda

Special Conditions

  • Frequent field visits/work required.
  • Some duty stations may not be suitable for families with children.

References

Please include the contact details of references to previous positions held not older than five years

Questions

If you have questions about this vacancy, you can contact Mrs. Charity van Bemmel HR Officer, email zoa.vacancies@zoa.nl.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply directly via our website http://www.zoa-international.com/agriculture-advisor-uganda.

CV’s of no more than 5 pages in length are appreciated. Please provide at least 3 reference related to your previous employment listed in the application.

Only selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the process of recruitment. A written test will be part of the recruitment procedure. Documents that do not match the profile above will not be considered. Internal candidates will have priority, in case of similar results.