Senior Strategic Advisor (Agri-Tech & Bilateral Trade) job at Access2innovation (A2i) / aBi Development

Terms of Reference: Senior Strategic Advisor (Agri-Tech & Bilateral Trade)

Company: Access2Innovation (A2i)
Program: Green Technology Transfer Fund (GTTF) – Phase 1
Location: Kampala, Uganda (with international travel)
Duration: March 2026 – March 2028, 2 years
Implementing Partners: Access2Innovation (A2i) in collaboration with aBi Development, The Royal Danish Embassy and European Union

Preamble: The Green Technology Transfer Fund (GTTF)

The Green Technology Transfer Fund (GTTF) is a strategic three-year funding window under the Green Agrifood Systems Program (GRASP) by aBi Development Limited, financed by the Royal Danish Embassy (RDE) and the European Union (EU), with a budget of UGX 10.34 billion. Its overarching goal is to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agribusiness technologies and catalyze private investment in Uganda's green transition. Operating as a competitive Challenge Fund, the GTTF deploys matching grants to de-risk private sector investments, aiming to unlock at least UGX 40 billion in co-financing from agribusinesses, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and impact investors. This initiative addresses critical market failures, promoting innovative green technology transfer and stimulating green business growth to enhance the resilience and productivity of Uganda's agribusiness sector and smallholder farmers.

Access2Innovation (A2i), a Danish platform with proven capacity in EU- and Danida-funded innovation programs in East Africa, is the implementing partner responsible for operational management, proposal appraisal, technology identification, and stakeholder coordination.

Objective of the Assignment

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic consultant to provide expert advice and strategic guidance to the Access2Innovation (A2i) team, ensuring the effective achievement of the GTTF's objectives. The consultant will serve as a bridge between Denmark/European technology providers and Ugandan agribusinesses, fostering sustainable bilateral trade and knowledge transfer.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will be responsible for the following functional areas:

• Technology Transfer & Value Chain Integration: Lead the strategic integration of green technologies into the coffee, dairy, cereals, bio-fertilizers, water and irrigation, and aquaculture for sustainable agri food systems. This includes identifying specific technological gaps and matching them with EU/Danish innovations and bank financing.
• Bilateral Trade & Market Entry Support: Advise and facilitate the market entry of Danish and EU technologies into the Ugandan agri ecosystem, ensuring compliance with local regulatory frameworks and alignment with the GTTF’s green growth objectives.
• Private Sector Engagement: Mobilize a network of Ugandan private sector entities to participate in the GTTF funding window, ensuring a robust pipeline of bankable, high-impact projects.
• Technical Validation: Provide expert review of investment proposals, focusing on the technical viability of proposed green solutions and their potential for localized scaling.
• Policy & Institutional Dialogue: Support A2i in navigating the institutional landscape in Uganda, maintaining productive relations with government stakeholders, trade missions, and international development partners.
• Leverage: Leverage private capital for investment in Denmark/EU technology transfer initiative

Required Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of agricultural and technological innovation within the Sub-Saharan African context, coupled with a proven track record in fostering international trade and expertise transfer.

1. Strategic Advisory & Program Implementation:
   • Demonstrated ability to advise on the strategic direction and operational execution of complex technology transfer and agribusiness development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
   • Familiarity with Challenge Fund models, grant management, and performance-based financing mechanisms.
   • Understanding of climate-smart agriculture principles and their application in value chain development.
2. Agribusiness & Technology Innovation Expertise:
   • Extensive experience in the agriculture and technology innovation landscape, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
   • Specific expertise in value chains relevant to Uganda, including dairy, coffee, cereals (such as soybean and maize), aquaculture, water management, and bio-fertilizers, as well as other high-value crops.
   • Knowledge of green technologies and sustainable practices applicable to these sectors.
3. International Partnership & Trade Facilitation:
   • Proven experience in supporting EU and Danish entities to establish and scale operations in Uganda, with a focus on strengthening bilateral trade and facilitating expertise transfer.
   • A strong understanding of the dynamics of international development cooperation, particularly with EU and Danida-funded initiatives.
4. Local Private Sector Engagement:
   • Well-established network and proven relationships with key private sector entities in Uganda, including agribusiness SMEs, cooperatives, private companies, start-ups, and farmer organizations.
   • Ability to mobilize and engage these private sector actors to actively participate in programs like the GTTF, fostering co-investment and sustainable partnerships.

Academic Qualifications:

Candidates should hold broad academic qualifications relevant to this specialized field. Relevant degrees may include, but are not limited to:

• Master's or Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Business Administration, International Development, or a closely related field.
• A Bachelor's degree with exceptional professional experience in the specified areas will also be considered.

Professional Experience:

• Regional Expertise: Minimum of 10–15 years of experience in the agriculture and technology innovation space within Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Bilateral Relations: Proven track record of supporting European (specifically EU/Danish) entities in establishing commercial or developmental footprints in East Africa.
• Private Sector experience: Minimum 10-years’ experience in senior management in private sector businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Industry Network: Demonstrated access to high-level decision-makers within the Ugandan private sector and agribusiness community.
• Project Finance: Familiarity with Challenge Fund models, de-risking instruments, and the "Green Growth" investment criteria utilized by International Financial Institutions

• Technology Transfer & Value Chain Integration: Lead the strategic integration of green technologies into the coffee, dairy, cereals, bio-fertilizers, water and irrigation, and aquaculture for sustainable agri food systems. This includes identifying specific technological gaps and matching them with EU/Danish innovations and bank financing.
• Bilateral Trade & Market Entry Support: Advise and facilitate the market entry of Danish and EU technologies into the Ugandan agri ecosystem, ensuring compliance with local regulatory frameworks and alignment with the GTTF’s green growth objectives.
• Private Sector Engagement: Mobilize a network of Ugandan private sector entities to participate in the GTTF funding window, ensuring a robust pipeline of bankable, high-impact projects.
• Technical Validation: Provide expert review of investment proposals, focusing on the technical viability of proposed green solutions and their potential for localized scaling.
• Policy & Institutional Dialogue: Support A2i in navigating the institutional landscape in Uganda, maintaining productive relations with government stakeholders, trade missions, and international development partners.
• Leverage: Leverage private capital for investment in Denmark/EU technology transfer initiative

• Demonstrated ability to advise on the strategic direction and operational execution of complex technology transfer and agribusiness development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Familiarity with Challenge Fund models, grant management, and performance-based financing mechanisms.
• Understanding of climate-smart agriculture principles and their application in value chain development.
• Extensive experience in the agriculture and technology innovation landscape, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Specific expertise in value chains relevant to Uganda, including dairy, coffee, cereals (such as soybean and maize), aquaculture, water management, and bio-fertilizers, as well as other high-value crops.
• Knowledge of green technologies and sustainable practices applicable to these sectors.
• Proven experience in supporting EU and Danish entities to establish and scale operations in Uganda, with a focus on strengthening bilateral trade and facilitating expertise transfer.
• A strong understanding of the dynamics of international development cooperation, particularly with EU and Danida-funded initiatives.
• Well-established network and proven relationships with key private sector entities in Uganda, including agribusiness SMEs, cooperatives, private companies, start-ups, and farmer organizations.
• Ability to mobilize and engage these private sector actors to actively participate in programs like the GTTF, fostering co-investment and sustainable partnerships.

• Master's or Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Business Administration, International Development, or a closely related field.
• A Bachelor's degree with exceptional professional experience in the specified areas will also be considered.