BUSINESS ADVISOR (2 POSITION)
REPORTS TO: Senior Business Advisor
POSITION LOCATION: This is a field based position. The job holder will be based in Mbale with frequent travel to Budaka and Pallisa; Manafwa and Sironko and other districts where the project is implemented.
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
This is primarily a business advisory role focused on providing support to mango and passion fruit farmers in market and business development services. This will be done through, among others, identification of business service providers, markets, facilitation and provision of business advice to farmers in Eastern Uganda. One position will be in Budaka and Pallisa; and another in Manafwa and Sironko districts.
KEY RESULT AREAS:
• Mobilize mango and passion fruit farmers to form Producer Business Groups (PBGs); build their organizational and business capacity to effectively participate and benefit from Project Nurture.
• Train PBGs leaders and farmers on record keeping, financial literacy, marketing, governance, agronomy and ensure that farmers are adopting better business and or group governance aspects.
• Ensure farmers are adopting agronomic and business practices that align with the requirements of the market.
• Work with fruit buyers to facilitate linkages with supported farmers.
• Identify farmer business development service providers and link them to supported farmers.
• Facilitate the development of business plans for supported famer organizations and SMEs.
• Identify new markets for both mangoes and passion fruits.
• Collect regular data from supported farmers to monitor their progress.
Requirement:
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, economics, development studies and others.
• At least 3 years’ professional experience in fruit value chain development – ideally private sector – in one or more of the following areas: agribusiness, farmer organizations, farmer mobilization, training, etc.
• Strong planning skills and experience working to strict time-guidelines
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
• Experience working with farmers in the specific districts and fluency in English, Lugwere, Ateso and Lugisu languages will be an advantage.
• Proven leadership ability combined with excellent communication skills
• Willingness to spend significant time in rural areas
• Computer literacy
• Business Acumen.
How to apply:
If you are interested and you meet the requirements, apply by EMAIL ONLY to the Country Director at: ugandajobs@tns.org with the position title placed in the subject line and on the application letter.
Send ONLY your application letter and resume with names and telephone contacts of three professional referees.
All applications must be received by close of business Wednesday 30th November 2011.
