For inspiring and creative professionals with a passion for SACCOs and Cooperatives
We are Agriterra, a Dutch agri agency that provides business development services to ambitious cooperatives and farmer organizations in developing and emerging economies. We assist them with advice and training by locally based business advisors and by deploying practitioners from the Dutch and international farmer organisation and (cooperative) companies; the so-called Agripool experts. We apply a three-track approach: We make cooperatives bankable and create real farmer-led businesses, we improve extension services and we enhance farmer government dialogues. Our advisory practice covers the full range of services on Management and Organisation, Financial Management, Governance, Business development, and Lobby and Advocacy. For more information, visit our website www.agriterr.org
In Uganda, Agriterra has been active since 2012. It supports cooperative farmer-led economic development in the dairy, SACCO, coffee, and oilseed sectors in different parts of the country.
About the project
Building Resilience and Inclusive Growth of Highland Farming Systems for Rural Transformation “BRIGHT” is building the resilience of 100,000 highland farm households in Uganda to economic and climate-related shocks by supporting households in inclusive farm-planning and decision-making, introducing appropriate climate-smart agriculture techniques and technologies strengthening local farming systems, ensuring natural resource conservation and development of strategic value chains. These initiatives are strategically designed to take root in the Rwenzori, Kigezi, and Mt. Elgon regions and are generously funded by the Netherlands government.
To make the selected value chains work for organized smallholder farmers, Agriterra will embed various training, workshops, and exchange visits into the customized action plans of the selected SACCOs, cooperatives, and farmer groups.
The Cooperative Advisor (CA) works independently within a framework that he/she is trusted with by the project lead. He/she is responsible for defined assignments within the project he/she is involved in. Within this project, the CA is to set up and implement advisory trajectories with a selected group of client cooperatives and support the implementation of multiyear targets set. These assignments can vary from project acquisition, set-up, and assessment, to an expertise request. In giving technical support the CA can give advice or act as a trainer. The CA works stably on time and targets and advises the client.
For our team, we are recruiting a:
Medior Cooperative Advisor
Location: Mbale City (Elgon Region)
As a business advisor, you provide expert advice, coordinate advisory trajectories with clients (SACCOs), and have an advisory role in executing a potential donor-funded program to expand access to selected SACCOs. You take a lead role in developing new loan products for dairy, coffee, and oilseed farmers and cooperatives and assess their sustainability. You initiate and guide change trajectories with SACCOs and you mediate and support negotiation processes, as well as prepare business deals. If you have a strong financial profile and a passion for cooperatives, this could be a dream job for you!
Result Areas/Responsibilities
Cooperative advisory work: Coordinate/advise independently within the agreed framework provided by the project lead concerning a broad range of project phases such as project development, scoping, cooperative assessment, or specific project areas. Support projects through consistent application of established processes and procedures. Provide support in specific areas of service requiring an understanding of subject-specific rules and procedures that guide service delivery. Deliver personal project responsibilities, and those of the supervised colleagues, within deadlines.
Administration & Reporting: Document progress, setbacks, and new processes. Monitor project implementation. Document, share, and disseminate project learning and results. Support report writing.
Business development: Identify opportunities in the way of work within Agriterra, project improvement, and the market for Agriterra and propose action plans to the project lead. Develop, maintain, and expand the network, represent Agriterra in the network, and co-write project proposals
Communication: Communicate with the project team on progress, opportunities, and challenges.
Quality assurance: Ensure consistency in delivery against established service standards. Provide specialized process services promoting consistency and responsiveness to the client community. Provide specialized process delivery in a specific service area ensuring consistency and timeliness of delivery.
Supervision: Supervise project staff within the project in the CA’s role as project lead of small projects. Delegate tasks, supervise, coach, and guide less experienced team members toward a higher level.
Knowledge development: Trainer on one or more Agriterra key topics. Contribute to internal and external knowledge development, by training, coaching, and supporting learning within Agriterra. Document new insights and consider lessons learned from the past. Develop knowledge by attending workshops and conferences. Ensure lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice amongst all colleagues.
Profile
- A bachelor's degree in relevant fields e.g., Development Studies, Entrepreneurship, Agri-business, Business administration, Agricultural economics or any other related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant working experience at an international organization (s); experience supporting agricultural development projects.
- Understanding of and experience in agricultural projects, cooperations, advisory, financial project management, PMEL, donor reporting, and business development.
- Good oral and written communication skills (English and other languages where relevant).
- Good computer skills in MS applications (MS Office).
- Willing to travel to other provinces.
- Ugandan citizenship.
Required Competences
- Skills: interpersonal, organizing, coaching, and, communication skills.
- Personal qualities (traits): initiative, problem-solver, team player, decisive, helicopter view, motivator.
- Languages- fluent in Kupsabiny and Lumasaba/ Lugisu
What we have to offer
- A position that requires you to show initiative and to operate in a dynamic network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from colleagues across the world.
- Additional benefits respecting the country’s legislation and Agriterra’s HR Policy.
- A collegial and ambitious work environment with a focus on achieving results.
Are you interested?
Are you interested in this position, and do you fit the profile?
Apply before 11 June 2024, with a motivation letter and curriculum vitae of not more than 2 MB.
Only applicants who meet the above requirements are invited to send their application and CV through an e-mail to uganda
agriterra.org to the attention of Mr. Ysakor Haileselassie Hailu,
Country Representative Agriterra Uganda. All application documents must be submitted by 5:00 PM Uganda time on June 11, 2024.