UGA Agribusiness/Market Systems Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger (ACF) is a global humanitarian organization that aims to end hunger and provide assistance to those in need. Established in 1979, ACF operates in over 50 countries worldwide, focusing on nutrition, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and livelihoods. The organization employs thousands of staff members dedicated to alleviating hunger and improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations. ACF's mission is to save lives, reduce malnutrition, and promote sustainable development through various programs and interventions.

Job Overview:
The Agribusiness/Market Systems Officer plays a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and youth by leading initiatives aimed at market development and enterprise growth. This position involves conducting thorough market assessments to identify viable opportunities within selected value chains. The officer will support farmer groups and youth entrepreneurs in creating business plans that align with market demands. Additionally, the role requires facilitating essential linkages with various stakeholders, including off-takers, agro-processors, input suppliers, and financial institutions. The officer will also be responsible for providing training on critical areas such as post-harvest handling, storage, and financial literacy, thereby empowering farmers and youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the agribusiness sector. The overarching goal is to promote collective bargaining, enhance quality, and support the establishment of facilities that aid in value addition and aggregation, ultimately leading to improved market access and economic outcomes for the target groups.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Agribusiness/Market Systems Officer will be tasked with a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting market assessments to identify and analyze viable market opportunities for selected value chains; supporting farmer groups and youth entrepreneurs in developing robust business plans and market-oriented production strategies; facilitating essential linkages with off-takers, agro-processors, input suppliers, financial institutions, transporters, and other private sector actors; providing training on post-harvest handling, storage techniques, value addition processes, marketing strategies, financial literacy, and business development services; promoting bulk marketing, collective bargaining, and quality improvement initiatives; supporting the development of common user facilities, value addition centers, storage facilities, or aggregation hubs where applicable; facilitating apprenticeship and youth skilling opportunities in areas such as value addition, logistics, agri-transport, clean energy technologies, and service provision; and tracking market access, sales volumes, income changes, business performance, and job creation outcomes to measure the impact of interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Value Chain Development, Rural Development, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in value chain development, market systems, agribusiness, enterprise development, or private sector engagement is required. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience in linking smallholder farmers to markets, finance, and private sector actors, as well as experience in youth enterprise development, post-harvest handling, value addition, or the establishment of common user facilities. Experience working with refugee livelihoods or in host community economic inclusion is considered an added advantage.

Educational Background:
The position requires a degree in a relevant field such as Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Value Chain Development, or Rural Development. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of agribusiness and market systems, as well as for effectively supporting farmers and youth in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Experience:
The role demands at least 5 years of professional experience in areas related to value chain development, market systems, agribusiness, enterprise development, or private sector engagement. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully linking smallholder farmers to markets and financial resources, as well as experience in youth enterprise development and post-harvest handling. Familiarity with the challenges faced by refugee populations or host communities in economic inclusion is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the regions of Uga, Nakivale, and Kyangwali would be advantageous, as it would facilitate better communication with local farmers and youth entrepreneurs.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve working in various locations, including Uga, Nakivale, and Kyangwali, and may require travel between these sites. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that may involve engaging with diverse communities. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process, and the organization is committed to recruiting both nationally and internationally to find the best candidates for this important role.