Project Officer – Uganda (2 positions) Full Time

Solidaridad

Solidaridad is a global civil society organization (CSO) that provides market-driven solutions for sustainable production practices across different supply chains. We envision a world in which all we produce, and all we consume, can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other and the next generations. Our mission is to bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all stakeholders.

Title: Project Officer (II)
Duration: 1 year – Renewable
Reporting line: Project Manager
Location: Uganda

Position Overview
The main objective of the function

Solidaridad ECA is implementing a three year Danida Green Business Partnership funded project, ”Harvesting Carbon: Pioneering a Pay-for-Impact Model for Carbon Mitigation and Adaptation in Coffee in Uganda”. The project is looking at pioneering an industry-first pay-for-impact model where carbon impact units (verified scope 3 reductions) will be generated and traded alongside coffee presenting a scalable market based solution to environmental challenges in Uganda. The project will work with 4,500 farmers and will be implemented in the Central Uganda districts of Kiboga, Mityana, and Wakiso and the South Western Uganda districts of Sheema, Rwampara and Ntungamo. This will be achieved through implementing inclusive interventions like Good Agricultural Practices, Climate Smart Agriculture Practices, and wide-scale use of bio char while supporting the farmers in the project to comply with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation. The project will work with commercial partners including Louis Dreyfus Company, Merrild Kaffe, and Lavazza Foundation.

Organizational position

The Project Officer reports to the Project Manager or Senior Projects Manager at the national and regional levels and works closely with the Country (Projects) Manager at the country level. The Project Officer works closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Project Officers, Project Associates, innovation theme advisors, and the quality function teams. The Project Officer will coordinate people and processes to ensure that the Project is delivered on time and produce the desired results. S/he will also actively participate in business development activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Conduct research and analysis to establish good practice programmes through participatory community based approaches.
2. Implement the good practice programme which may include but are not limited to the following areas: soil management, intercropping, optimal densities, integrated pest management, and design of resilient agricultural production systems.
3. Establish demonstration plots and support farmer field schools to be used to introduce appropriate agricultural techniques and technologies for improved production.
4. Train and build the capacity of farmers on regenerative agriculture, including organic waste and waste-water management, new technologies and support them to implement innovative environmental solutions.
5. Develop training curriculum` and conduct capacity development to the farmer groups to strengthen their institutions.
6. Develop and implement strategic tools and plans to analyze project and financial management for farmers and farmer groups.
7. Support peer-to-peer learning between farmers on best practices and across cooperatives and/or associations.
8. Train producers on how to collect data using digital tools availed by Solidaridad.
9. Build and maintain positive relations with implementing partners, targeted communities and authorities at all levels to ensure that the project is understood and supported in implementation.
10. Contribute to Solidaridad’s funding portfolio by contributing to the development of quality concept notes and proposals.
11. Coordinate and nurture mutually beneficial partnerships with other stakeholders including partners, service providers, government departments, local development partners and the private sector.
12. Prepare monthly project reports, budgets, and work plans in line with Solidaridad’s planning process and schedules in a timely basis.
13. Gather and submit project monitoring and evaluation information for capturing Project outcomes, impact, and lessons learned.

Key Qualifications

• Relevant academic level education, Master or higher – in relevant field e.g. Agriculture, Public Policy, Development Studies, Project Management, Strategic Management, etc.
• At least three (3) years experience in the region.
• An understanding of the policy environment, issues and stakeholders in the agriculture and/or agribusiness sector in East and Central Africa.
• Experience in leading and managing small teams.
• Experience setting up new projects and programmes
• Fluent in spoken and written English, other language skills proficiency desirable.
• Knowledge of strategic, human resource, financial and quality management.

Specific job requirements

• Analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Multi-skilled with multi-tasking capabilities.
• Strong team-player with a high level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent critical, creative thinking, and analytical skills.
• Experience in program administration, operating procedures, oversight and monitoring.
• Ability to work with database applications.
• Knowledge of project funding procedures and guidelines.

Tagged as: Kenya, Solidaridad East & Central Africa