The Agribusiness Initiative (aBi) Trust is an institution set up by the governments ot Uganda and Denmark to support agribusiness initiatives in the country. In particular it is to support the private sector to increase their contribution to the agricultural sector by increasing productivity and competitiveness leading to poverty reduction through economic growth, wealth, and employment creation. The vision of aBi Trust is of “competitive private sector led agriculture in Uganda” with the mission to “promote private sector driven agribusiness development to enhance wealth creation in the country”. The aBi Trust achieves its mission and vision through interrelated subcomponents. The sub components are: Value Chain Development leading to improved performance of value chain actors, including trade- related Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) leading to increased trade opportunities. Financial Services Development (FSD) leading to expansion of financial services by supporting agribusiness in order to increased availability and use of financial services. Cross-cutting Gender for Growth that fully integrates gender equality in each of the sub components and manages a fund piloting innovative gender equality approach in agriculture. aBi Trust therefore invites applications from suitable persons for the following positions;
COFFEE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (CDO) (1)
The CDO reports to the CMVC, S/ he is responsible for all issues of the Trust’s activities related to the coffee value chain. S/he cooperates with the team of specialists/staff that are contracted/employed by the Trust and supervises the outsourcing of interventions. The CDO shall strive to ensure that the Trust becomes an effective implementer of coffee agribusiness development programmes.
Key functions: The CDO shall be responsible for all operational matters relating to the coffee value chain, inclusive but not limited to:
Providing technical support in all areas of coffee good agricultural practices (GAP)
Developing plans for providing technical support to Farmer Organisations in terms of GAP, current market opportunities and market requirements, and fostering linkages with buyers and suppliers in accordance with goals and practices set by the BoT. Providing technical support and backstopping to coffee partners Supervising and supporting partners promoting coffee to ensure implementation of the programme
Working closely and liaising with CMVC manager on technical issues regarding crop production, trade, and competitiveness Cooperating with other relevant stakeholders in the sector, including private sector organizations, development partners and governmental institutions Ensuring that contractual arrangements (contracting, outsourcing and partnering) meet the Trust’s corporate and legal requirements and deliver the agreed and defined outputs
Assisting potential grantees to develop concept papers
Working with approved grantees and seeks to identify potential service providers and grantees
Coordinating with other staff to ensure the smooth implementation of programme activities
Providing informative reports in accordance to the monitoring and evaluation system
Performing any other duties which ! may be assigned by the CMVC
Requirement:
General Qualifications
Must have academic training and experience in agriculture or agribusiness or similar relevant field.
Must have 3 years of working experience in coffee development in developing countries.
A Master’s degree and experience with small holder development strategies are an added advantage.
Specific Competencies and Experience
Enterprise and Market development for business service providers;
Small holder and their organizational development
Input supply chain management
Hand’s-on, practical knowledge of coffee (both Robusta & Arabica)
Innovative, highly motivated and hardworking team player.
Salary: - USD/month
Experience: 3
How to apply:
APPLICATION Interested persons who meet the above criteria should submit their application clearly indicating the position applied for together with an updated CV and at least three (3) suitable referees and telephone contacts to the Managing Director, aBi Trust, Plot 37 Nakasero Towers, P. 0. Box 29851 Kampala; or email less than 2MB to: vcd@abitrust.com. Closing date for receiving applications is 20th February 2012.