Program Director - Green Agrifood Systems Programme (GRASP)
2025-04-07T11:10:47+00:00
Agricultural Business Initiative
https://cdn.greatugandajobs.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_6854/logo/Sustainable%20Agriculture%20Network%20(SAN).png
https://www.abi.co.ug/
FULL_TIME
kampala
Kampala
00256
Uganda
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Agricultural Services & Products
2025-04-18T17:00:00+00:00
Uganda
8
Role Summary:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Program Director to lead the Green Agrifood Systems Programme (GRASP), a US$30 million, five-year (2024-2028) initiative funded by the Royal Danish Embassy and the EU. This pivotal role will drive the development of Uganda’s green agri-food systems, advancing aBi’s mission to transform Ugandan agriculture into a competitive and sustainable agribusiness sector that enhances livelihoods and safeguards the environment on a large scale. The GRASP program aims to increase climate resilience for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses, foster growth and expansion of agribusinesses to create jobs and markets, and promote awareness and adoption of climate-smart solutions. The Program Director will be accountable for achieving these objectives, aligning with aBi’s strategic goals and budget targets, and leveraging donor and private sector investment five-fold. Working closely with a dedicated team, the Director will originate, co-create, structure, and deliver investment deals with key stakeholders, including agribusinesses, financial institutions, and development partners. Responsibilities also include providing strategic guidance on integrating climate change adaptation into aBi’s projects and processes—from project development and partner selection to grants management and reporting. The Director will serve as the face of aBi and GRASP, liaising with the Royal Danish Embassy, the EU, government officials, businesses, organizations, and other stakeholders.
Scope of Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight:
o Provide high-level strategic vision, overall leadership, technical direction, and management oversight for all program activities and results.
o Lead and promote private sector-based programs emphasizing socially responsible and sustainable investment in agriculture and the agribusiness sector.
o Promote transformative climate change adaptation strategies to fundamentally change agricultural systems in response to climate change.
o Develop strategies to improve production practices, market access, and build sustainable agribusinesses resilient to market disruptions.
o Ensure alignment with aBi Development’s strategic objectives, sustainability goals, donor requirements (Royal Danish Embassy and EU), and the program workplan.
o Success will be measured by effectively achieving GRASP’s key objectives—strengthened resilience of farmers to climate change, increased business growth, job opportunities, incorporation of green practices, and heightened awareness and adoption of climate change solutions—improving year-on-year. The program must demonstrate high financial prudence and efficiency in resource allocation, with Value for Money (VfM) improving annually or meeting target ratios, and stakeholder feedback must confirm consistent alignment with sustainability goals and donor expectations.
• Partnership Development & Management:
o Build and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including anchor firms, implementing partners, government agencies, and other relevant organizations, fostering effective communication and maximizing program impact.
o Conduct a stakeholder analysis for the GRASP ecosystem, identifying influential groups and individuals and analyzing how supply, demand, and the enabling environment inter-link.
o Initiate relationship-building efforts, including convening multiple partners where appropriate, to develop shared goals and investment strategies.
o Facilitate the co-design of strategies with partners to achieve shared goals, making partnerships concrete by agreeing on investment strategies and mitigating potential risks.
o Formalize partner onboarding by conducting due diligence, identifying capacity-building requirements, and liaising with the Risk, Compliance & Legal team to develop contracts.
o Work with Grants Management specialists to set up detailed project plans and grants as appropriate.
o Success will be evidenced by active engagement and collaboration from key stakeholders in program initiatives and events, high-quality partnership agreements reflecting robust due diligence and clear risk mitigation strategies, and consistent partner satisfaction demonstrated through feedback and continued engagement.
• Financial Resource Management, Risk Mitigation, and Compliance:
o Ensure the effective and responsible management of all financial resources associated with the GRASP program, including proactive resource mobilization strategies, robust risk mitigation, and full compliance with all relevant regulations and accountability requirements.
o Oversee operations of the program according to established policies and procedures (HR, procurement, grants, finance, administration, subcontracting).
o Develop and implement strategies to mobilize additional financial resources for GRASP, exploring diverse funding sources and innovative financing mechanisms.
o Proactively identify and mitigate financial and operational risks throughout the program lifecycle, regularly reviewing and updating the risk management framework.
o Ensure full compliance with all relevant financial regulations, aBi Development’s policies, and donor requirements (Royal Danish Embassy and EU), maintaining accurate financial records and submitting timely reports to stakeholders.
o Lead the GRASP team to develop and submit all required data, analysis, and reporting for accountability purposes on time and to standard.
o Success will be measured by timely, accurate, and transparent financial and accountability reporting meeting all internal and donor requirements, proactive and effective financial risk management preventing significant losses or disruptions, and consistent full compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and donor stipulations.
• Leadership & Empowerment of the Team:
o Lead the GRASP Project team in a manner that empowers them to add value to the organization and deliver high standards of performance.
o Communicate to the team a clear and exciting vision for the work of the organization and the importance of their personal contribution.
o Ensure the team is resourced with the expertise and tools necessary to deliver on strategy through a combination of recruitment and management of staff, and procurement of consultants where needed.
o Plan and organize the work of the team to accomplish strategic and project goals and targets in the most cost-effective and impactful manner, ensuring each team member is provided with clarity concerning expectations.
o Monitor and review performance, holding staff accountable to achieving results; provide training, coaching, and accountability to support them in achieving results and delivering required standards and behavior, taking decisive action in the case of poor performance.
o Notice and cultivate talent, encourage and praise good performance, and deliver coaching and mentorship to motivate team members and encourage high performance.
o Success will be reflected in employee engagement scores indicating good people management practices (aiming for upper-quartile performance in annual surveys), a tracked and improving percentage of staff achieving performance targets year-on-year, and proactive identification and addressing of team capacity gaps through recruitment, training, or consultancy support.
• And other duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), aBi Development.
Requirements of the Role:
• Qualifications:
o Master’s degree in agriculture economics or MBA.
o Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management.
o Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management if the master’s is not in Agriculture Economics, Agriculture, Development Studies, or Agribusiness Management.
• Competencies:
o Ownership & Initiative (Level 4 Leadership).
o Learning & Adaptability (Level 4 Leadership).
o Situational Awareness & Thinking (Level 4 Leadership).
o Execution & Drive for Results (Level 4 Leadership).
o Understanding Others & Team Collaboration (Level 4 Leadership).
• Experience:
o 10+ years of progressively responsible experience leading and delivering large-scale, complex projects within budget and timeline, preferably in the development sector, with at least 5 years at Programme Director or Deputy Programme Director level in developing countries.
o Proven experience in developing and implementing communication and advocacy strategies to influence policy and behavior change, including a track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders with evidence of successful campaigning in the SSRI (Sustainable and Scalable Rural Investments) space.
o Experience managing complex contracts and agreements, with familiarity with DANIDA, EU, and USAID operating procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements.
o Experience working in the Ugandan agricultural sector and/or with smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
o Proven experience in overseeing and/or leading analysis of market systems, including stakeholder analysis, with a demonstrated ability to design and implement interventions that drive systemic change within complex agricultural ecosystems.
• Technical Skills & Knowledge:
o Strong understanding of climate change adaptation strategies and their application to sustainable agriculture in Uganda.
o Demonstrated expertise in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
o Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive strategic and operational plans, and budgets.
o Proficient in relevant software and digital tools for project management, data analysis, and communication.
o Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and the ability to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
o Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight: o Provide high-level strategic vision, overall leadership, technical direction, and management oversight for all program activities and results. o Lead and promote private sector-based programs emphasizing socially responsible and sustainable investment in agriculture and the agribusiness sector. o Promote transformative climate change adaptation strategies to fundamentally change agricultural systems in response to climate change. o Develop strategies to improve production practices, market access, and build sustainable agribusinesses resilient to market disruptions. o Ensure alignment with aBi Development’s strategic objectives, sustainability goals, donor requirements (Royal Danish Embassy and EU), and the program workplan. o Success will be measured by effectively achieving GRASP’s key objectives—strengthened resilience of farmers to climate change, increased business growth, job opportunities, incorporation of green practices, and heightened awareness and adoption of climate change solutions—improving year-on-year. The program must demonstrate high financial prudence and efficiency in resource allocation, with Value for Money (VfM) improving annually or meeting target ratios, and stakeholder feedback must confirm consistent alignment with sustainability goals and donor expectations. • Partnership Development & Management: o Build and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including anchor firms, implementing partners, government agencies, and other relevant organizations, fostering effective communication and maximizing program impact. o Conduct a stakeholder analysis for the GRASP ecosystem, identifying influential groups and individuals and analyzing how supply, demand, and the enabling environment inter-link. o Initiate relationship-building efforts, including convening multiple partners where appropriate, to develop shared goals and investment strategies. o Facilitate the co-design of strategies with partners to achieve shared goals, making partnerships concrete by agreeing on investment strategies and mitigating potential risks. o Formalize partner onboarding by conducting due diligence, identifying capacity-building requirements, and liaising with the Risk, Compliance & Legal team to develop contracts. o Work with Grants Management specialists to set up detailed project plans and grants as appropriate. o Success will be evidenced by active engagement and collaboration from key stakeholders in program initiatives and events, high-quality partnership agreements reflecting robust due diligence and clear risk mitigation strategies, and consistent partner satisfaction demonstrated through feedback and continued engagement. • Financial Resource Management, Risk Mitigation, and Compliance: o Ensure the effective and responsible management of all financial resources associated with the GRASP program, including proactive resource mobilization strategies, robust risk mitigation, and full compliance with all relevant regulations and accountability requirements. o Oversee operations of the program according to established policies and procedures (HR, procurement, grants, finance, administration, subcontracting). o Develop and implement strategies to mobilize additional financial resources for GRASP, exploring diverse funding sources and innovative financing mechanisms. o Proactively identify and mitigate financial and operational risks throughout the program lifecycle, regularly reviewing and updating the risk management framework. o Ensure full compliance with all relevant financial regulations, aBi Development’s policies, and donor requirements (Royal Danish Embassy and EU), maintaining accurate financial records and submitting timely reports to stakeholders. o Lead the GRASP team to develop and submit all required data, analysis, and reporting for accountability purposes on time and to standard. o Success will be measured by timely, accurate, and transparent financial and accountability reporting meeting all internal and donor requirements, proactive and effective financial risk management preventing significant losses or disruptions, and consistent full compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and donor stipulations. • Leadership & Empowerment of the Team: o Lead the GRASP Project team in a manner that empowers them to add value to the organization and deliver high standards of performance. o Communicate to the team a clear and exciting vision for the work of the organization and the importance of their personal contribution. o Ensure the team is resourced with the expertise and tools necessary to deliver on strategy through a combination of recruitment and management of staff, and procurement of consultants where needed. o Plan and organize the work of the team to accomplish strategic and project goals and targets in the most cost-effective and impactful manner, ensuring each team member is provided with clarity concerning expectations. o Monitor and review performance, holding staff accountable to achieving results; provide training, coaching, and accountability to support them in achieving results and delivering required standards and behavior, taking decisive action in the case of poor performance. o Notice and cultivate talent, encourage and praise good performance, and deliver coaching and mentorship to motivate team members and encourage high performance. o Success will be reflected in employee engagement scores indicating good people management practices (aiming for upper-quartile performance in annual surveys), a tracked and improving percentage of staff achieving performance targets year-on-year, and proactive identification and addressing of team capacity gaps through recruitment, training, or consultancy support. • And other duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), aBi Development.
Strong understanding of climate change adaptation strategies and their application to sustainable agriculture in Uganda. o Demonstrated expertise in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and data-driven decision-making. o Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive strategic and operational plans, and budgets. o Proficient in relevant software and digital tools for project management, data analysis, and communication. o Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and the ability to proactively identify and mitigate risks. o Excellent written and spoken English.
Master’s degree in agriculture economics or MBA. o Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management. o Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management if the master’s is not in Agriculture Economics, Agriculture, Development Studies, or Agribusiness Management.
JOB-67f3b2b79ffba
Vacancy title:
Program Director - Green Agrifood Systems Programme (GRASP)
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Category: Agricultural Services & Products]
Jobs at:
Agricultural Business Initiative
Deadline of this Job:
Friday, April 18 2025
Duty Station:
kampala | Kampala | Uganda
Summary
Date Posted: Monday, April 7 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
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JOB DETAILS:
Role Summary:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Program Director to lead the Green Agrifood Systems Programme (GRASP), a US$30 million, five-year (2024-2028) initiative funded by the Royal Danish Embassy and the EU. This pivotal role will drive the development of Uganda’s green agri-food systems, advancing aBi’s mission to transform Ugandan agriculture into a competitive and sustainable agribusiness sector that enhances livelihoods and safeguards the environment on a large scale. The GRASP program aims to increase climate resilience for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses, foster growth and expansion of agribusinesses to create jobs and markets, and promote awareness and adoption of climate-smart solutions. The Program Director will be accountable for achieving these objectives, aligning with aBi’s strategic goals and budget targets, and leveraging donor and private sector investment five-fold. Working closely with a dedicated team, the Director will originate, co-create, structure, and deliver investment deals with key stakeholders, including agribusinesses, financial institutions, and development partners. Responsibilities also include providing strategic guidance on integrating climate change adaptation into aBi’s projects and processes—from project development and partner selection to grants management and reporting. The Director will serve as the face of aBi and GRASP, liaising with the Royal Danish Embassy, the EU, government officials, businesses, organizations, and other stakeholders.
Scope of Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight:
o Provide high-level strategic vision, overall leadership, technical direction, and management oversight for all program activities and results.
o Lead and promote private sector-based programs emphasizing socially responsible and sustainable investment in agriculture and the agribusiness sector.
o Promote transformative climate change adaptation strategies to fundamentally change agricultural systems in response to climate change.
o Develop strategies to improve production practices, market access, and build sustainable agribusinesses resilient to market disruptions.
o Ensure alignment with aBi Development’s strategic objectives, sustainability goals, donor requirements (Royal Danish Embassy and EU), and the program workplan.
o Success will be measured by effectively achieving GRASP’s key objectives—strengthened resilience of farmers to climate change, increased business growth, job opportunities, incorporation of green practices, and heightened awareness and adoption of climate change solutions—improving year-on-year. The program must demonstrate high financial prudence and efficiency in resource allocation, with Value for Money (VfM) improving annually or meeting target ratios, and stakeholder feedback must confirm consistent alignment with sustainability goals and donor expectations.
• Partnership Development & Management:
o Build and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including anchor firms, implementing partners, government agencies, and other relevant organizations, fostering effective communication and maximizing program impact.
o Conduct a stakeholder analysis for the GRASP ecosystem, identifying influential groups and individuals and analyzing how supply, demand, and the enabling environment inter-link.
o Initiate relationship-building efforts, including convening multiple partners where appropriate, to develop shared goals and investment strategies.
o Facilitate the co-design of strategies with partners to achieve shared goals, making partnerships concrete by agreeing on investment strategies and mitigating potential risks.
o Formalize partner onboarding by conducting due diligence, identifying capacity-building requirements, and liaising with the Risk, Compliance & Legal team to develop contracts.
o Work with Grants Management specialists to set up detailed project plans and grants as appropriate.
o Success will be evidenced by active engagement and collaboration from key stakeholders in program initiatives and events, high-quality partnership agreements reflecting robust due diligence and clear risk mitigation strategies, and consistent partner satisfaction demonstrated through feedback and continued engagement.
• Financial Resource Management, Risk Mitigation, and Compliance:
o Ensure the effective and responsible management of all financial resources associated with the GRASP program, including proactive resource mobilization strategies, robust risk mitigation, and full compliance with all relevant regulations and accountability requirements.
o Oversee operations of the program according to established policies and procedures (HR, procurement, grants, finance, administration, subcontracting).
o Develop and implement strategies to mobilize additional financial resources for GRASP, exploring diverse funding sources and innovative financing mechanisms.
o Proactively identify and mitigate financial and operational risks throughout the program lifecycle, regularly reviewing and updating the risk management framework.
o Ensure full compliance with all relevant financial regulations, aBi Development’s policies, and donor requirements (Royal Danish Embassy and EU), maintaining accurate financial records and submitting timely reports to stakeholders.
o Lead the GRASP team to develop and submit all required data, analysis, and reporting for accountability purposes on time and to standard.
o Success will be measured by timely, accurate, and transparent financial and accountability reporting meeting all internal and donor requirements, proactive and effective financial risk management preventing significant losses or disruptions, and consistent full compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and donor stipulations.
• Leadership & Empowerment of the Team:
o Lead the GRASP Project team in a manner that empowers them to add value to the organization and deliver high standards of performance.
o Communicate to the team a clear and exciting vision for the work of the organization and the importance of their personal contribution.
o Ensure the team is resourced with the expertise and tools necessary to deliver on strategy through a combination of recruitment and management of staff, and procurement of consultants where needed.
o Plan and organize the work of the team to accomplish strategic and project goals and targets in the most cost-effective and impactful manner, ensuring each team member is provided with clarity concerning expectations.
o Monitor and review performance, holding staff accountable to achieving results; provide training, coaching, and accountability to support them in achieving results and delivering required standards and behavior, taking decisive action in the case of poor performance.
o Notice and cultivate talent, encourage and praise good performance, and deliver coaching and mentorship to motivate team members and encourage high performance.
o Success will be reflected in employee engagement scores indicating good people management practices (aiming for upper-quartile performance in annual surveys), a tracked and improving percentage of staff achieving performance targets year-on-year, and proactive identification and addressing of team capacity gaps through recruitment, training, or consultancy support.
• And other duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), aBi Development.
Requirements of the Role:
• Qualifications:
o Master’s degree in agriculture economics or MBA.
o Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management.
o Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management if the master’s is not in Agriculture Economics, Agriculture, Development Studies, or Agribusiness Management.
• Competencies:
o Ownership & Initiative (Level 4 Leadership).
o Learning & Adaptability (Level 4 Leadership).
o Situational Awareness & Thinking (Level 4 Leadership).
o Execution & Drive for Results (Level 4 Leadership).
o Understanding Others & Team Collaboration (Level 4 Leadership).
• Experience:
o 10+ years of progressively responsible experience leading and delivering large-scale, complex projects within budget and timeline, preferably in the development sector, with at least 5 years at Programme Director or Deputy Programme Director level in developing countries.
o Proven experience in developing and implementing communication and advocacy strategies to influence policy and behavior change, including a track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders with evidence of successful campaigning in the SSRI (Sustainable and Scalable Rural Investments) space.
o Experience managing complex contracts and agreements, with familiarity with DANIDA, EU, and USAID operating procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements.
o Experience working in the Ugandan agricultural sector and/or with smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
o Proven experience in overseeing and/or leading analysis of market systems, including stakeholder analysis, with a demonstrated ability to design and implement interventions that drive systemic change within complex agricultural ecosystems.
• Technical Skills & Knowledge:
o Strong understanding of climate change adaptation strategies and their application to sustainable agriculture in Uganda.
o Demonstrated expertise in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
o Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive strategic and operational plans, and budgets.
o Proficient in relevant software and digital tools for project management, data analysis, and communication.
o Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and the ability to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
o Excellent written and spoken English.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 120
Level of Education: bachelor degree
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