Summary
Date Posted: Friday, April 26 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Overview of CSJ Program
Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) Component 1 is a four-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. It consists of three sub-components: 1A - Market Systems Development, 1B – Uganda Climate Innovation Fund, and 1C -Ecosystems Services. Component 1 seeks to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately improve the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers (SHFs) are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints. Mitigating these effects is central to the programme’s approach.

The constraints SHFs face in improving agricultural productivity and income levels include limited access to inputs for crops and livestock, poor soil and water management, limited access to an efficient distribution model for climate-resilient varieties, limited access to affordable extension services for both livestock and crop, weak engagement between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and research institutions, high incidence of pests/parasites and diseases for crops and livestock, uncertainty in seasonality (unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spell, spatial distribution of rainfall), limited access to affordable on-farm mechanisation services), and weak market access and value addition.

CSJ intends to work with market actors to trigger change in the market system in a way that enables SHFs to gain increased access to affordable, quality input products and services, in turn increasing their incomes and ability to adapt and become resilient to the effect of climate change.

This TOR focuses on the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) in the form of Business Development Services (BDS) for CSJ’s Farmer Group Enterprises (FGEs).

Background to the Assignment
FGEs are a collective of between 2 and 20 farmers who share business interests and common objectives. They form an enterprise to address a constraint in a value chain of interest to them, resolving the issue first for themselves as FGE members (and its first customers) and the wider community. FGEs empower farmers to function as independent private businesses thereby offering a pathway out of poverty and the impacts of climate change on smallholder livelihoods. In March 2024 CSJ set out to select 9 FGEs in its initial cohort. These would be selected equally across livestock, post-harvest handling, and mechanisation interventions on the programme. 10 FGEs committed to forming and require immediate support to see them through these initial phases.

To adequately support the establishment and growth of FGEs at this crucial start-up stage, BDS providers are required to submit expressions of interest to CSJ for this role.

Objectives of the Assignment
CSJ requires the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Consultants to provide BDS to FGEs in the West Nile, Lango and Acholi subregions as well as in Kiryandongo. BDS providers will be used on call-down basis and must have enterprise development expertise including training and capacity-building of smallholder farmer groups (e.g., SACCOs, VSLAS, Co-operatives, etc). The preferred providers will deliver training aimed at equipping FGEs with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently develop, manage, and grow their enterprises. They will also be expected to provide tailored and targeted ongoing support throughout the different growth stages of these enterprises. CSJ intends to equip local experts to train the initial cohort of FGEs after which significant demand by other farmers is forecasted to form additional FGEs. This will hopefully see the establishment of BDS providers as an integral part to the transformation of smallholder farming livelihoods through well-structured and well-supported FGEs.

Scope of Work
The preferred Consultant will deliver the following responsibilities:
• Support the CSJ team in the assessment of existing groups of farmers/cooperatives geared towards FGEs establishment and implementation.
• Perform capacity building training on the FGE model
• Once groups are identified, provide step-by-step guidance through training and capacity building in their establishment. CSJ will provide a training manual for this.
• Provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to support FGEs in their initial implementation.
• Link FGEs to business opportunities to facilitate their growth and development in alignment with their business objectives.
• In consultation with CSJ team, identify new ideas or innovations that can be integrated into the FGEs.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of the FGEs by documenting and sharing learning with CSJ.
• Fulfil additional roles or tasks as requested by CSJ to support the capacity needs of FGEs.

Note, CSJ will provide training to the service provider on the FGE model. This will include the following:
• Training on the legal and regulatory guidelines in establishing and implementing the FGE model in Uganda, including registration, licensing, and other local requirements.
• Training on how to assess existing groups of farmers/cooperatives for FGE establishment and implementation.
• Training on the success factors for FGEs in relation to the local context and the enterprise of interest.
• Capacity-building on how to promote gender equity and social inclusion within the FGE model.
• Training on business fundamentals for FGEs: entrepreneurship, shareholding, management, record keeping, financial management, customer management and scaling of the business.

Deliverables
The Consultant will deliver the following in execution of the Scope of Work:
• Successful implementation of the scope of work on a regular basis as monitored and signed-off by the Market Manager, and FGE and Quality Assurance Consultant(s).

Required Competencies
The preferred candidate will exhibit the following competencies:
• Achieve Results: Sets and aligns challenging, achievable objectives in performance of tasks having lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Consult on the go: Proactively keep CSJ team updated and seek their guidance and input.
• Learn Continuously: Create opportunities to help teams expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: Politically savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion wider collaboration.

Required Skills and Experience
• A postgraduate qualification in business / economics / enterprise development with professional experience with agricultural or livestock sectors
• Knowledge of the local language(s) in the region you are apply to support.
• Self-motivated individuals open to learning and implementing new ideas with potential for growth.
• Background or interest in farmer groups dynamics and politics.
• Ability and willingness to offer services in northern Uganda and in remote areas including adapting to some of the difficult conditions within rural settings.
• Ability and willingness to attend coaching sessions and trainings provided by Climate smart jobs technical experts in different areas for improvement and new ideas.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively in diverse cultural settings.
• Strong business planning skills with the ability to develop practical and sustainable enterprise models.

Assignment Timeline
• Call for expressions of interest: 26 April 2024
• Selection process commences: 8 May 2024
• Contracting and commencement: 13 May 2024

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

Job application procedure
Submit your CV(s) and a 1-page Cover Letter(s) describing your suitability for this role. Include in your submission 2 examples of previous work and 2 references. must clearly indicate your interest for a particular region(s), e.g., Kiryandongo, Lango sub region, Acholi sub region, or West Nile sub region. The deadline for this submission is 30 April 2024. Make your submission electronically to info@csj.co.ug with the subject CSJ - MKT MGR 01.


All Jobs

QUICK ALERT SUBSCRIPTION