Market Development Specialist NGO Jobs – GOAL International
Job Title: Market Development Specialist
Organisation: GOAL International
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Livelihoods Programme Advisor
About US:
GOAL is an international humanitarian agency dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest of the poor. We are a non-denominational, non-governmental and non-political organisation. GOAL Uganda country project focuses on two of GOAL’s three strategic sectors: Health (including WASH and health accountability programming); and Livelihoods. GOAL Uganda mainstreams HIV, gender, child protection and the environment/DRR across all programming. GOAL works on a district focused approach, and uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with local civil society organisations, private sector partners and District Local Government to give effect to our mission.
Job Summary: The Market Development Specialist will plan, develop and implement all aspects of the market development component of the current GOAL Uganda livelihoods programme. The incumbent will be required to design and apply a wide variety of market development tools and approaches in order to catalyze innovative services, facilitate linkages between market actors and strengthen critical points in the agricultural market system, towards beneficial outcomes for smallholder farmers in Agago and Abim Districts. The person will work closely with the Livelihoods Programme Advisor, the Agricultural and Rural Finance Specialist, the district project implementation teams, and private sector actors in implementing innovative approaches that increase smallholder agricultural production and market linkages that lead to increased productivity and profitability of on-farm enterprises. Productivity support will include access to and systematic use of Climate Smart Agricultural inputs that will enhance farmers’ ability to increase their productivity, market access, revenue, diversity and resilience in the face of increasingly severe climate change.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Planning, developing and implementing market development activities:
- Work in close collaboration with the Livelihoods Advisor provide technical oversight in planning implementation of market systems development approaches, and learning process to ensure project interventions are targeted and responsive to evolving market requirements and upgrading needs.
- Actively participate in the development of tools and resources to assist in market systems analysis, in programme design, activities implementation and M&E, and to ensure consistent high quality implementation.
- Lead the process of identification and engagement of private sector businesses to effectively expand their business models to Agago and Abim district.
- Conduct continuous market intelligence and assessment to inform programming including identification of value chains and sectors that are inclusive and have potential to benefit the poor households, especially women and youth.
- Participate in mentoring and coaching of Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) and Micro enterprises in the agricultural sector
- Lead the process of light due diligence of private sector businesses profiled by Market Development Officers.
- Coordinate with other project staff to support farmer and producer organizations to evaluate market requirements and develop production plans responsive to market demands.
- Appraise capacity building needs relating to market linkages, marketing skills and marketing aspects of value chains development; assist in developing training material and participate in/ conduct training courses for staff.
- Strengthen farmers, associations and rural enterprises to improve PHH and value-added services including drying, milling, processing and storage.
- Organize /facilitate training of agro-dealers, commission agents and other intermediaries to provide goods and services that increase the competiveness of local production.
- Facilitate market driven linkages between farmers, input/output dealers, and other value chain actors by establishing business relationships and facilitating deals (both formal and informal) which open new market channels for producers.
- The incumbent will assess opportunities for off-farm employmentand establish opportunities to incorporate them into GOAL Uganda livelihood programming. Potential jobs could include: Tools production, Tillage services and agents system marketing socially beneficial products (plastic sheets for drying, solar lamps) to farmers
- Help to oversee execution of related field activities to ensure that the project results are achieved to the highest standard, and that project deliverables are completed as planned. Includes making day to day decisions regarding project implementation within agreed framework and budget limitations.
Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:
- With support from the MEL department, oversee the implementation of M&E activities with private sector partners in agricultural market systems, including completion of observation dairies, partnerships logs and updates of the results chains.
- Prepare and submit progress reports detailing major work accomplishments and progress incl. monitoring and documenting volume and value of commodity trade by FFS groups and Networks in collaboration with Commission/IBM Agents and other private sector partners
- Document and disseminate case studies, best practices on market development activities and lessons on working with private sector for innovative services.
- Support Livelihoods Programme Advisor in preparation of progress reports (quarterly, annual, final donor reports) and respond to the queries particularly related to outputs concerning markets development and access to markets.
- Contributing to annual work plans/budgets and any other technical reports
Organizational Learning: As part of GOAL Uganda’s commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit GOAL Uganda as well as themselves.
Representation and Coordination:
- The MDS is expected to be the focal person for all coordination, partnership and related activities with private sector services providers, and related stakeholders.
- Work closely with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of GOAL Uganda’s market based programs.
- Build and maintain close working relationships with humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing GOAL Uganda at local coordination meetings as assigned.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to GOAL Uganda and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
- GOAL Uganda team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Other Duties: Supervise, manage, mentor and appraise the Market Development Officers.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the GOAL International Market Development Specialist job placement should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Agriculture Economics, Agri-business or related technical field
- A minimum of five years of related experience in similar capacity or related fields
- Proven experience, skills and knowledge of market systems development and value chain development approaches, ideally in northern Uganda context; preferred experience of one or more market development approaches such as sub sector analysis, business development service or business models using best practices.
- Previous experience with post-harvest handling a plus.
- Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi stakeholder working environments
- Strong networking skills
- High level of analytical skills in planning, finance and project implementation
- Previous experience implementing activities in large, complex projects in challenging environments.
- The applicant must be an individual with initiative, who is performance driven and has considerable planning and organizational skills
- Excellent communication, analytical and report writing skills with fluency in spoken and written English
- Knowledge and skills in computing are a must
- Proven interpersonal skills
- Willingness and enthusiasm for working with rural and vulnerable communities living in remote areas of the country.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested applicants should send their applications which must include at least 4 reference contacts (2 professional, 2 character references, including your supervisor and the most recent/previous employer), and daytime contact number to; The Human Resource Manager, GOAL Uganda via E-mail to: recruitment@ug.goal.ie
NB: Please do not attach certificates and indicate the Position applied for in the email subject.
Deadline: 14th July 2017
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