Job Title: Market Development Officer

Location: Buyende District Reports to: Market Development Coordinator

Program Background

GOAL and its consortium partner, Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) is implementing a 5-year Integrated and Sustainable Production for Resilient Economies (INSPIRE) programme funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kampala. The objective of the programme is to build climate resilient and more productive farming systems and livelihoods, with environmentally sustainable and commercially viable practices, sustainably increasing productivity and income of 200,000 smallholder farming households (SHF) in Busoga and Lango regions.

Job Summary

The Market Development Officer (MDO) will be responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of the Inclusive Market Development and Farmer Organization Activities in coordination with Market Development Coordinator (MDC) within the Busoga and Lango region. The MDO will coordinate district level INSPIRE project implementation team and lead the technical design, implementation, monitoring and scaling of inclusive business models with Private Sector Actors, Entrepreneurial Groups (EGs), VSLAs, Cooperatives and SACCOs to establish a district level agribusiness networks for improved access to inputs, agro-services, finance, and markets leading to increase in smallholder farmers’ resilient productions and food security within the agricultural market system.

The MDO will be a core member of the INSPIRE Programme Team working in a matrix environment as a technical resource person for integrating market development best practices into the program. This position will join MDOs based in different districts of operation and will closely work with other INSPIRE project staff to ensure proper integrations of all the interventions. This position will focus on market systems in agriculture, natural resources and climate adaptation and will also contribute to expertise in having smallholder farming systems more sustainable, productive and resilient to shocks.

Essential Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry, Development Economics, Rural Development
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with the private sector actors
• Knowledge and experience in business financing for SMEs
• Highly motivated and motivating individual who can lead SMEs from both the front and behind (depending on the situation)
• Ability to ride a motorcycle (valid & clean riding license)
• Partnership management skills and knowledge

Desirable Requirements

• Some practical experience in working with both very small and medium sized companies in a development setting
• Knowledge of the agricultural sectors highly desirable
• Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly
• Strong communication skills
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications
• Knowledge of the local working language within the mentioned district is preferred

Key Responsibilities

Planning, developing, and implementing market development activities:

• In coordination with the Markets Development Coordinator, Technical Specialists and local partners, plan, implement and monitor market development activities within the assigned district
• Support private sector actors and farmer Entrepreneurial groups, VSLA, Cooperative/SACCO to design, test, and implement inclusive business models that increase smallholder farmers market participation within the agricultural market system
• Assist in developing capacity building materials for business, technical and financial capacities as well as participate in capacity building sessions
• Help execute related field activities to ensure that the programme results are achieved to the highest standard, and that project deliverables are completed as planned
• Support mobilization and engagement of targeted smallholder farmers to fully participate in the programme for sustainability
• Identify value-addition opportunities that strengthen economic opportunities for smallholder farmers in the crop and livestock sector

Collaboration/Networking:

• Strengthen linkages between targeted groups, private sector actors, farmers associations, micro and small business owners, government agencies, microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and banks
• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with Partners and district leadership and local government departments, representing GOAL in district coordination meetings
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government departments, NGOs and local authorities
• Participate in the planning of learning and review meetings that bring private and public sector entities together to collectively review and discuss technology developments and innovation

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

• Work closely with the district monitoring and evaluation team to capture the required data for measuring output and impact of the programme
• Ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field and entry in the program PSA tracker and CommCare database and for preparation of communication materials
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation
• Maintain proper filing system in regard to market development activities of the program

Representation and Coordination:

• The MDO is expected to be the focal person for all coordination, partnership and related activities with local level private sector services providers, and related stakeholders within the district of jurisdiction
• Liaise with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Markets for Small holder farmers market-based interventions
• Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing the programme at district coordination meetings as assigned

Other duties:

• Represent GOAL Uganda in a range of external fora and building strategic relationships and partnerships