Program Officers Inclusive Modern Markets (Uganda) Vacancies at VECO East Africa
Organisation: Vredeseilanden (VECO)Reports to: Regional Coordinator - Inclusive Modern Markets (IMM)Vredeseilanden is active within Sustainable Agricultural Chain Development. Our aim is to enable organizations of smallholder family farmers to successfully participate within sustainable value chains. We invest in the capabilities of these organizations and their members to become strong collective business organizations, while linking up these organizations with other chains actors like processors, traders, retailers, consumers… We also invest in connecting these farmer organizations with higher level farmer organizations and support these in their advocacy work towards governments and private actors to create an institutional environment that enables the position of smallholder family farmers within sustainable agricultural chains.Job Summary: The VECO Program Officer Inclusive Modern Market will primarily enhance inclusive and durable trading relationships between Farmer Organizations (FO) and private companiesKey Duties and Responsibilities: Plan, implement, monitor and adjust innovation/change pathways in inclusive business models in selected pilot chains within the IMM program in the countryPlan, coordinate, implement and monitor activities leading to set structural changes for inclusion of smallholder farmers at national levelDevelop, strengthen and support business linkages between FOs and private companies (facilitation and brokering role)Build and strengthen the entrepreneurial attitude, skills and capacities of FOs (business plan development, offer of business support services to its members, commercial accounting, access to finance, quality control systems, Global Gap approval, production planning)Offer strategic and technical assistance to FOs ensuring their inclusion in the chainDesign, test, and validate change/innovations in the linked business modelsMonitor and document the change/innovations processes in the business models, the changes in behavior at the level of the involved FOs and companies, and the results of these in terms of improved small-holder livelihoods, and draw lessonsMake inventory and document experiences of other organizations with inclusive business models in the countrySignificantly contribute to the organizational development and strengthening of farmer organizations and export companies.Document and translate the outcomes of the pilots as evidence for achieving structural changes and up-scaling at national levelCoordinate/implement the actions of/with the various partners in the achievement of the structural change agendasBuild up a close relationship with private companies interested in sustainable sourcing from smallholder farmersBuild and network with other organizations that have a stake in the structural change agendasAnalyze and document the changing national context in relation to the business environment, the value chain, the market … and with regard to opportunities with/demands from other companiesMonitor and document the achievement of the national structural change agendasProvide timely information, analysis, lessons learned to allow program management to readjust its programsQualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate should preferably hold a good Masters in Agriculture, Economics, or equivalent by experienceA minimum of three years’ experience in value chain development in East- Africa, working with Farmer Organisations and private companies.Past exposure and experience as entrepreneur or farmer is an asset.Past exposure and experience in the horticultural sector and various types of certifications particularly Global GAP.Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the functioning of value chains from production to consumption and of their institutional environmentHas a good understanding of sourcing policies of companiesGood knowledge and understanding of and experience working with farmer OrganizationsHas a good understanding of national and global market dynamicsCan apply methods to improve professionalism in all parts of the chainCommunicates clearly in a variety of settings and styles and has good net-working skillsListens activelyCan persuade and inspire individuals and groups.Can get messages across that have the desired effectIs creative and has a sense for innovation and experimentsGood computer operation Word, Excel, PowerPointGood proficiency in English (speaking and writing)All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their applications to: veco-ea@veco-eastafrica.org
