Program Officers Inclusive Modern Markets (Uganda, Tanzania)

1 for Antenna Mbale, Uganda - FFV UG
1 for Antenna Arusha, Tanzania – FFV TZ (+ integrating learning experience from FFV Kenya)

Job purpose
To enhance inclusive and durable trading relationships between FOs and private companies

Reports to: Regional Coordinator IMM

Position in the organization: implementation at antenna level

Responsibilities

• plan, implement, monitor and adjust innovation/change pathways in inclusive business models in selected pilot chains within the IMM program in the country
• plan, coordinate, implement and monitor actions leading to set structural changes for inclusion of smallholder farmers at national level
• for Uganda: possible contact point for government

Outputs/services at pilot level

• develop, strengthen and support business linkages between FOs and private companies (facilitation and brokering role)
• 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, …)
• provide strategic and technical guidance to FOs ensuring their inclusion in the chain
• design, test, and validate change/innovations in the linked business models
• monitor 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 lessons
• make inventory and document experiences of other organizations with inclusive business models in the country
• Contribute to the organizational development and strengthening of farmer organizations and export companies.

Outputs/services at structural change level

• document and translate the outcomes of the pilots as evidence for achieving structural changes and up-scaling at national level
• coordinate/implement the actions of/with the various partners in the achievement of the structural change agendas
• build up a close relationship with other private companies interested in sustainable sourcing from smallholder farmers
• network with other organizations that have a stake in the structural change agendas
• analyze 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 companies
• monitor and document the achievement of the national structural change agendas
• provide information, analysis, lessons learned to allow program management to readjust its pro-grams

Knowledge and skills :

• Has an in depth understanding of the functioning of value chains from production to consumption and of their institutional environment
• Has a good understanding of sourcing policies of companies
• Has a good understanding of and experience working with Farmer Organisations
• Has a good understanding of national and global market dynamics
• Can apply methods to improve professionalism in all parts of the chain.
• Communicates clearly in a variety of settings and styles and has good networking skills
• Listens actively
• Can persuade and inspire individuals and groups.
• Can get messages across that have the desired effect
• Is creative and has a sense for innovation and experiments
• Experience in the horticultural sector.

General skills:

• Good computer operation Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Good proficiency in English (speaking and writing)
• Good knowledge of Swahili for the function in TZ

Attitude:

• Entrepreneurial approach
• Communicative networker
• Systematic and analytical
• Result-oriented
• Facilitating
• Flexible
• Sensitive, perceptive
• Team-oriented
• Learning-oriented

Education:
Masters in Agriculture, Economics, or equivalent by experience

Experience:

• At least 3 years in value chain development in East- Africa, working with Farmer Organisations and private companies.
• Experience as entrepreneur or farmer is an asset

To Apply: Send a copy of your Motivation Letter, CV, mention your Salary Expectation & Availability Date to veco-ea@veco-eastafrica.org
Please refer in the subject to the specific function you apply for.

Deadline for application is the 1st of December 2013.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview by phone or Skype on the 5th, 6th or 10th of December.