Early Generation Seed (EGS) and Policy Coordinator Dutch Embassy Project Jobs – Wageningen UR Uganda
Job Title: Early Generation Seed (EGS) and Policy Coordinator
Organisation: Wageningen UR Uganda
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Chief of Party
About US:
Wageningen UR Uganda Ltd works on processes of innovation and change through facilitating innovation, brokering knowledge and supporting capacity development. Wageningen UR Uganda is part of Wageningen University and Research, under the unit Centre for Development Innovation. Wageningen UR Uganda is implementing a 4 year ISSD Plus project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala. The programme aims to strengthen the development of a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector that is able to address key challenges that hamper the seed sector development such as seed quality assurance and availability of foundation seed. The project is implemented in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) for public varieties and food crops and private sector for vegetable seed.
Job Summary: The Early Generation Seed (EGS) and Policy Coordinator will support innovative and new ways to address bottlenecks in the EGS system and seed sector policy environment. The coordinator will report to the Chief of Party and work in close collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party, NARO holding Ltd Foundation Seed Unit manager, NARO Sec, breeders, and NSCS on improving the EGS system. The ISSD Plus project works with NARO on coordination of production and marketing of foundation seed of legumes and other selected crops; pilot a pre-booking system and a tractability system that will track quantities and quality of foundation seed produced. In addition, the project will also support some decentralised foundation seed production as a business (provide business support) and work with Local Seed Businesses to produce and market foundation seed for selected crops. The coordinator is responsible for operationalising outcome 3 of the ISSD plus project: increasing access to quality early generation seed. The coordinator will also support and strengthen seed sector stakeholders’ governance and facilitate public-private sector collaboration to enhance seed quality assurance systems and operationalisation of the QDS system.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Early generation seed
- Together with Chief Of Party and business consultant work with NARO to establish sustainable EGS production solutions
- Support the development of a tracing system for EGS production and sale
- Support the development of an external quality control system for EGS production
- Development of a pre-order and advance system for EGS
- Track production figures of EGS and compile seasonal report
- Set up and monitor initiatives with ZARDIs and LSBs to produce and market foundation seed
- Support and mobilise the initiatives towards increased access to and availability of foundation seed at zonal and national level
- Prepare annual and quarterly works plans for component 3 of the ISSD Plus project and prepare quarterly and annual reports on progress towards achieving outcomes, outputs and activities.
Public sector and policy coordination
- Organization of national seed sector stakeholder meetings
- Support public sector organisations to increase their effectiveness and efficiency in specific supportive tasks in the seed value chain;
- Support the development and implementation of diversified seed quality assurance mechanisms (registration, accreditation, certification, quality declared seed);
- Support awareness raising and capacity building on the implementation of seed regulations at national and zonal level;
- Closely collaborate with MAAIF (NSCS, NARO, etc.) in the development of innovative approaches supporting public- private partnerships in seed sector development;
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The candidate must hold a Master’s Degree in crop sciences preferable with an orientation towards seed science
- A combination of Degree in crop Science and MBA is an added advantage
- At least five years’ work experience in the seed sector in Uganda
- Three years’ experience working with or in collaboration with NARO on early generation seed provision
- Proven ability to understand business principles and (local) seed business operations
- Demonstrated ability in stakeholder management (across different levels) and working with small-scale farmers
- Affinity with capacity development and institutional change processes;
- A strong interest in linking theory with policy and practice;
- Excellent English language skills
- Computer literate, excellent in word processing, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, internet use, website content management systems and statistical packages
- Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team, excellent interpersonal skills, analytical and attentive to detail
- Ability to analyse issues and problems systematically, gather broad and balanced input, draw sound conclusions and translate them in monitoring strategies and documentation
- Willingness to travel widely within the country.
- Ugandan nationality
How to Apply:
All suitably and qualified and interested candidates should send their application letters and updated CVs (max. 6 pages) to hr@issduganda.org
NB: DO NOT attach certificates or academic qualification.
Deadline: 4th March 2018
: List of Current Job Vacancies / Opportunities in Uganda