Application deadline is July 14th, 2013
Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) is an umbrella organization for all types of cooperatives in Uganda. One of its mandates is to develop and build the capacity of its member cooperative organizations and the members of those organizations.
In pursuance of this, UCA is implementing a three year project Integrated Finance and Agricultural production initiative (IFAPI) supported by Canadian Cooperative Association (CCA) and operating in the mid west, west Nile and northern regions.
It is an integrated project through which producers (farmers) are able to access agricultural and financial services through their cooperatives primary societies (RPOs), Area cooperative Enterprises (ACEs) and Savings and Credit cooperatives (SACCOS).
UCA is now seeking to recruit competent hard working and experienced persons to fill the positions:
1. FIELD OFFICER- AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING 1 Position (Masindi)
Specific duties:
• Promote organized production and bulk marketing and ensure that ACEs and associated primaries continually increase the volumes of commodities marketed through them by members.
• Promote and increase volumes of inputs marketed through the ACEs and primary societies
• Ensure that the ACEs and primary societies increase their income from commission and other sources and are able to sustain them.
• Identify other opportunities including agro-processing for members through the ACEs and primaries
• Indentify and develop partnerships with private sector players who can promote the interests of cooperators.
• Assist in strengthening of the market information system in primary societies and ACEs
• Promote and facilitate contract farming among members of cooperatives
• Promote and develop the ware house receipt system based on SACCOs as financial institutions
• Mobilize more cooperators, more commodity transacted through the ACEs and primary societies.
Qualifications:
BSc Agriculture, Agricultural economics or Agribusiness from a recognized university. Possession of additional qualifications in relevant field is an added advantage.
Knowledge of the local language highly desired.
Other skills:
• Good communication skills, presentation, very good analytical and mobilization skills
• Computer skills especially Ms Word, Excel, Power Point and D-Base
Experience:
• A minimum of 2 years working experience in similar jobs
• Good understanding and promotion of value chain concept
• Development of operating and reporting systems for producers or similar organizations
2. PROJECT OFFICER–AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION & MARKETING – 1 position (Kampala)
Main Job Purpose: To provide technical assistance to field staff and cooperative extension staff in agricultural production, marketing and value addition for improved incomes.
Specific duties
1. Assists the project coordinator in planning, designing and developing effective agricultural production, marketing & value addition initiatives, strategies and activities for the benefit of co-operators
2. Works with the project coordinator to coordinate and supervise implementation of environmentally sustainable agricultural activities within the affiliate cooperatives.
3. Plan, organise and provide marketing & value addition support through training and other capacity building initiatives for cooperatives under the IFAPI III project.
4. Facilitating co-operators to identify and exploit value-adding agroprocessing opportunities
5. Promote and facilitate contract farming, bulk commodity transactions and warehouse receipt system among members of cooperatives
6. Facilitate cooperatives to develop and implement marketing & value addition strategies for improved marketing and agro-processing
7. Facilitate co-operators to identify, develop and consolidate diverse income and funding sources for their marketing and agro-processing activities
8. Play a lead role in facilitating co-operators to identify, develop and maintain partnerships with private sector players who can promote their interests
9. Provide back-up support to field staff
Minimum Qualifications & Experience:
• Bachelors degree Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness Management plus relevant post-graduate qualification (Msc preferred)
• 3 years experience in marketing & value addition/value chain development
• Ability to organise and implement multiple initiatives and activities
• Ability to coordinate and meet deadlines for simultaneous activities
• Ability to maintain effective liaison and network relations with diverse stakeholders
• Good organisational, analytical and problem solving skills
• Effective communication, documentation, facilitation, training and presentation skills
• Excellent computer skills
Age: 25-30
Terms of employment: 15 months renewable contract, Applicants should be in position to start working immediately if appointed.
Remuneration: Attractive and competitive
Applications should be addressed to:
General Secretary, Uganda Cooperative Alliance Ltd.,
P.O. Box 2215 Kampala
Hand delivery to UCA Building Plot 47/49 Nkrumah Road or
by email: jturyahebwa@uca.co.ug
Closing date: July 14th, 2013
This opportunity is open to both male and female applicants and all applicants will be given equal treatment.