Consultant -Pfumvudza job at Palladium

Vacancy title:
Consultant -Pfumvudza

Jobs at:
Palladium

Deadline of this Job:
Sunday, August 31 2025

Duty Station:
Uganda | Kampala | Uganda

Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, August 28 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) Component 1 is a four-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. It consists of three sub-components: 1A - Market Systems Development, 1B – Uganda Climate Innovation Fund, and 1C -Ecosystems Services.  Component 1 seeks to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately improve the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers (SHFs) are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints. Mitigating these effects is central to the programme’s approach.  

The constraints SHFs face in improving agricultural productivity and income levels include limited access to inputs for crops and livestock, poor soil and water management, limited access to an efficient distribution model for climate-resilient varieties, limited access to affordable extension services for both livestock and crop, weak engagement between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and research institutions, high incidence of pests/parasites and diseases for crops and livestock, uncertainty in seasonality (unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spell, spatial distribution of rainfall), limited access to affordable on-farm mechanisation services), and weak market access and value addition.  

CSJ intends to work with market actors to trigger change in the market system in a way that enables SHFs to gain increased access to affordable, quality input products and services, in turn increasing their incomes and ability to adapt and become resilient to the effect of climate change

This TOR focuses on the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) to support the scale-up of CSJ’s Pfumvudza (Conservation Agriculture) implementation.

Background to the Assignment

The Pfumvudza Model is a Conservation Agriculture (CA) approach aimed at increasing productivity and resilience among smallholder farmers through climate-smart practices on small plots of land. It emphasizes minimum tillage, mulching, crop rotation, and timely planting, and has shown promising results in improving yields and food security. An evaluation of its recent performance by CSJ-supported partners in northern Uganda shows that scaling the model is feasible through demonstration effect and targeted TA. Various stakeholders, including private sector, government, and humanitarian actors, have expressed interest in supporting broader adoption of Pfumvudza, particularly in refugee-hosting districts. To support this scale-up, CSJ requites structured stakeholder engagement, development of tailored communication materials, and coordination with key actors including agribusinesses, district production departments, livelihood and media partners.

Objectives of the Assignment        

CSJ requires the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Consultant to provide technical expertise and guidance to support the implementation and scale-up of the Pfumvudza model by:

• Mobilizing and engaging stakeholders.
• Facilitating learning/sharing events and field exposure.
•  Overseeing the development of targeted communication material.
• Supporting private sector and development partner engagement.
• Facilitating adaptive and responsive implementation aligned with field realities.
  
  

Scope of Work
The preferred Consultant will deliver the following responsibilities:

Stakeholder Mobilization and Engagement

• Identify and mobilize key stakeholders including agribusinesses, district production departments, CAs, and agricultural livelihood partners in the refugee settlements
• Organize and conduct stakeholder engagement events and field exposure visits.
  
  

Communication & Media Coordination

• Oversee the development of agribusiness and smallholder farmer-targeted communication materials in collaboration with the communications team. (e.g., videos, how to guides).
• Manage engagement with other consultants and the technical team.

Support to Adopters

• Provide tailored information or technical assistance to agribusinesses and livelihood partners in refugee settlements.
• Gather and respond to feedback from adopters to refine implementation.
• Track progress on adoption.

Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver the following in execution of the Scope of Work:

• One stakeholder engagement plan and schedule.
• Three stakeholder engagement events:
  - Smallholder-focused
  - Agribusiness-focused
  - Development partner-focused
• Ongoing inputs and support to Communications Business Model Specialist in production of Pfumvudza-focused communication materials, including guides and videos
•  Monthly activity reports to keep the team at CSJ abreast of progress and challenges.
• Summary Report on engagements with adopters including feedback received.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

The preferred candidate will exhibit the following competencies:

• Achieve Results: Sets and aligns challenging, achievable objectives in performance of tasks having lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: Create opportunities to help teams expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: Politically savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion wider collaboration.

Required Skills and Experience
The preferred Consultant shall present the following skills and experience:

Skills

• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Excellent coordination and communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to dynamic field conditions.
• Familiarity with agricultural development and refugee contexts.
• You are not required to have prior knowledge of the Pfumvudza Model; the successful candidate will be mentored to understand it.
• Knowledge of refugee settlement ecosystems and experience delivering programs targeting refugees and host communities is critical.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders in these contexts is highly desirable.
  
  

Experience

• Educational experience in Agriculture, Development Studies, Communications, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project implementation, stakeholder engagement, or agricultural extension.
• Experience working with media and communication teams.
•  Knowledge of conservation agriculture and smallholder farming systems
• Fluency in English: knowledge of any of the local languages in refugee settlements in NU is an added advantage.

Assignment Timeline

The assignment will be up to 15 days a month across three months

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: bachelor degree

Job application procedure

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