Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
Job Description:
World Vision Uganda is seeking to partner with Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries(MAAIF) to implement the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) in the refugee settlements in northern Uganda (Adjumani or Lamwo).
The Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project seeks to transform agricultural production systems among refugee and host communities through climate-smart agriculture while strengthening resilience, livelihoods and food security.
To implement this project, World Vision Uganda is prepositioning staffing needs, who will be on standby for hire, dependent on WVU being awarded the consultancy.
Purpose of the role:
The Agribusiness and Market Systems Officer will be responsible for promoting sustainable agribusiness development, market systems strengthening, and value chain development under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project. The position will support smallholder farmers, producer groups, cooperatives, and agri-enterprises to improve market access, increase profitability, strengthen business skills, and foster inclusive economic growth among refugee and host communities.
The Officer will facilitate the development of climate-smart agricultural value chains, enhance commercialization of agricultural products, and strengthen linkages between producers, input suppliers, processors, financial institutions, and markets.
Reports to: Project Manager
Duty station: Adjumani / Lamwo - Uganda (Refugee Settlements and Host Community Areas).
Key Responsibilities
Agribusiness Development
Lead the implementation of agribusiness development interventions within project target areas.
Support farmers and producer groups to transition from subsistence production to market-oriented agriculture.
Promote entrepreneurship and agribusiness opportunities among project beneficiaries.
Identify viable income-generating opportunities within climate-smart agricultural value chains.
Support the development and implementation of agribusiness plans for farmer groups and enterprises.
Market Systems Strengthening
Conduct market assessments and value chain analyses to identify market opportunities and constraints.
Facilitate the development of inclusive and resilient market systems that benefit refugee and host communities.
Strengthen relationships between producers, buyers, processors, financial institutions, and other market actors.
Support the establishment of structured marketing mechanisms and aggregation systems.
Promote market-driven production and commercialization strategies.
Value Chain Development
Support the development and strengthening of priority agricultural value chains.
Facilitate value addition initiatives to enhance competitiveness and profitability of agricultural products.
Identify opportunities for market diversification and enterprise growth.
Promote climate-smart agribusiness models and sustainable value chain approaches.
Support producer organizations in improving product quality and meeting market standards.
Financial Inclusion and Enterprise Development
Facilitate access to financial services, savings groups, microfinance institutions, and agricultural lending opportunities.
Strengthen financial literacy and business management skills among beneficiaries.
Support establishment and strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and producer cooperatives.
Promote investment opportunities within agricultural value chains.
Capacity Building and Community Engagement
Conduct training on agribusiness management, marketing, entrepreneurship, financial management, and business planning.
Build the capacity of farmer groups, cooperatives, youth groups, and women-led enterprises.
Facilitate exchange visits, business forums, and learning events.
Promote participation of women, youth, refugees, and vulnerable groups in economic empowerment initiatives.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Develop and maintain databases on agribusiness and market systems activities.
Monitor value chain performance and market trends.
Collect and analyze project performance data and prepare periodic reports.
Document success stories, lessons learned, innovations, and best practices.
Support project evaluations, assessments, and learning initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
Collaborate with government agencies, private sector actors, business associations, financial institutions, NGOs, and development partners.
Participate in coordination forums, technical working groups, and market linkage events.
Build strategic partnerships that enhance project sustainability and impact.
Liaise with local government authorities and refugee settlement stakeholders to facilitate implementation.
Compliance and Safeguarding
Ensure compliance with donor requirements, project guidelines, and organizational policies.
Promote gender equality, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and safeguarding principles in all project activities.
Ensure accountability and transparency in implementation processes.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Applicants must possess;
A Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics from a recognized institution.
Additional Qualifications
The following will be an added advantage:
Training in Value Chain Development, Market Systems Development (MSD), Enterprise Development, Rural Finance, Project Management, or Climate Smart Agriculture.
Professional certification in agribusiness management, entrepreneurship, or market systems development.
Experience
The ideal candidate should have:
At least five (5) years of progressive experience in agribusiness development, market systems strengthening, or value chain management.
Proven experience implementing agricultural commercialization and enterprise development programs.
Experience working in refugee settlements, humanitarian settings, or rural development contexts.
Demonstrated experience facilitating market linkages, business development services, and financial inclusion initiatives.
Experience working with farmer organizations, cooperatives, producer groups, and private-sector actors.
Experience implementing donor-funded agricultural development projects will be an added advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies
Technical Competencies
Strong knowledge of agribusiness development and agricultural value chains.
Knowledge of Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches.
Understanding of agricultural marketing, business planning, and enterprise development.
Knowledge of rural financial services and financial inclusion strategies.
Experience in market assessments, value chain analysis, and market linkage facilitation.
Understanding of climate-smart agriculture and resilient market systems.
Core Competencies
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational abilities.
Results-oriented with strong attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong report-writing and presentation skills.
Ability to facilitate trainings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
Strong negotiation, networking, and partnership-building skills.
Computer Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Familiarity with data analysis, digital reporting tools, and agribusiness information systems will be an added advantage.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The Agribusiness and Market Systems Officer shall be assessed based on:
Number of farmers and enterprises linked to profitable markets.
Improvement in beneficiary incomes through agribusiness interventions.
Number of functional producer groups, cooperatives, and market partnerships established.
Growth in value addition and commercialization activities.
Increased access to financial services among project beneficiaries.
Quality and timeliness of project reports.
Effective participation of refugee and host communities in agribusiness development initiatives.
Equal Opportunity Statement
World Vision Uganda is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, safeguarding, and sustainable development. Qualified women, youth, refugees, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to apply