Junior Cooperative Advisor job at Agriterra

About Agriterra

Agriterra is an international non-profit organisation founded by the Dutch agricultural sector. We are dedicated to strengthening farmer organisations, because we believe they are the cornerstone of thriving rural communities.

By building on the success of the Dutch cooperative sector, we provide the knowledge, resources, and support farmer organisations need to grow stronger, thrive economically, and create lasting local prosperity.

With a strong presence in the countries where we work, Agriterra fosters collaboration and long-term impact.

Together, we sow the seeds of change today, for a thriving tomorrow.

About the GROWTH Programme

The Growing Resilience and Opportunities for Wealth Through Horticulture (GROWTH) programme is a five-year initiative (2025–2030) supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda.

Together with our consortium partners TechnoServe (lead) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), we build on the success of HortiMAP to deepen farmer ownership and drive lasting transformation in Uganda’s horticulture sector.

Through GROWTH, we will support 100,000 smallholder farmers to engage in profitable and resilient horticulture markets. The programme focuses on:

• Increasing and stabilising farmer incomes
• Improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses
• Strengthening food security
• Creating jobs across horticulture value chains

At its heart, GROWTH is farmer-led. Using participatory approaches, farmers and their organisations define their priorities and shape their own future.

Your role as Junior Cooperative Advisor

We are looking for five Junior Cooperative Advisors who believe in the power of farmer organisations. Working closely with cooperatives and farmer groups, you help turn ambition into action – strengthening governance, amplifying farmers’ voices, and supporting sustainable growth, hands-on in the field.

Location: Uganda (Busoga, Rwenzori, Elgon, Kigezi, Mukono & Kayunga)

What you will do

Understand and map farmer organisations

• Identify and map cooperatives and farmer groups with potential to grow
• Visit organisations to understand their history, structure, management, business case and value for members

Assess and guide growth

• Assess cooperatives using Agriterra’s cooperative assessment methodology
• Look at governance, financial management, business potential, climate resilience and member engagement
• Support cooperatives in progressing through Agriterra’s graduation pathway

Build capacity and confidence

• Organise and deliver practical trainings on governance, financial management and business planning
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning, exchange visits and exposure to strong cooperatives

Support participatory planning (EFFORT)

• Support cooperatives in applying the EFFORT methodology
• Link household vision journeys with cooperative strategies, ensuring members – women, youth and men – have a meaningful voice

Provide ongoing advisory support

• Advise cooperatives on production, finance, marketing and organisational development
• Mobilise expertise through Agriterra’s Agripool network when specialised knowledge is needed

Track progress and celebrate milestones

• Monitor progress using Agriterra’s graduation tools
• Document results, learnings and achievements
• Support cooperatives to reach sustainability and long-term resilience

Engage communities and strengthen advocacy

• Promote inclusive participation of women, youth and remote farmers
• Support cooperatives in voicing their interests in markets and policy spaces

Who we are looking for

You are motivated by working with farmers and cooperatives, and you believe in the power of collective action. You enjoy being in the field, listening first, and turning insights into practical support.

You bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, agriculture, economics, development studies, entrepreneurship or a related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience, preferably in agricultural or rural development projects
• Experience working with cooperatives and farmer groups
• A practical, business-oriented mindset
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Confidence working with participatory approaches
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural areas

What do we offer?

• A meaningful role where your work directly contributes to farmer-led growth
• The opportunity to learn from and collaborate with colleagues across the Agriterra global network
• A dynamic and supportive work environment
• A salary in Agriterra Uganda scale 8, plus benefits in line with local legislation and Agriterra HR policy

• Identify and map cooperatives and farmer groups with potential to grow
• Visit organisations to understand their history, structure, management, business case and value for members
• Assess cooperatives using Agriterra’s cooperative assessment methodology
• Look at governance, financial management, business potential, climate resilience and member engagement
• Support cooperatives in progressing through Agriterra’s graduation pathway
• Organise and deliver practical trainings on governance, financial management and business planning
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning, exchange visits and exposure to strong cooperatives
• Support cooperatives in applying the EFFORT methodology
• Link household vision journeys with cooperative strategies, ensuring members – women, youth and men – have a meaningful voice
• Advise cooperatives on production, finance, marketing and organisational development
• Mobilise expertise through Agriterra’s Agripool network when specialised knowledge is needed
• Monitor progress using Agriterra’s graduation tools
• Document results, learnings and achievements
• Support cooperatives to reach sustainability and long-term resilience
• Promote inclusive participation of women, youth and remote farmers
• Support cooperatives in voicing their interests in markets and policy spaces

• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Confidence working with participatory approaches
• Practical, business-oriented mindset

• A bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, agriculture, economics, development studies, entrepreneurship or a related field.
• Experience working with cooperatives and farmer groups
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural areas