SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization that applies practical know-how to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our top-notch expertise in agriculture, energy and WASH to local contexts. SNV has an annual turnover of €130 million, over 1,250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organization that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence.

In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change during project preparation and implementation – by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We will continue to position ourselves as a premium organization, with decentralized management. For more information on our operations in Uganda and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

The four year Agricultural project (Contingent to funding) has a key youth empowerment focus. This will involve skills development for selected youth and the linking of selected youth to private sector actors for skills enhancement, for employment and for business opportunities. The project will target four of Uganda’s largest refugee hosting districts: Arua, Madi Okollo, Obongi and Moyo districts all containing a high proportion of people who are economically highly vulnerable, including the youth.  This project will also target less-resilient households (including households with vulnerable children), and selected youth members of those households, and will promote social cohesion, women’s empowerment and enhanced environmental management. The main intervention point for all project interventions will be savings and development clusters across above-mentioned districts.

Job Description

Background

The project we are recruiting for is in the Agriculture sector and has a complimentary approach that will work across several themes including but not limited to: Sustainable Markets, Gender & Youth, and Climate Smart Agriculture.  Using the market development approach, the project seeks to develop sustainable, inclusive and commercially viable businesses across the cassava, soybean, maize, sunflower, sesame, sorghum, vegetables, bee keeping and poultry value chains. The project will be implemented in Arua, Madi Okollo, Obongi and Moyo

The Position (Contingent to funding)

The Business Development Services Advisor will lead on the implementation of project ambitions regarding private sector engagement and in the delivery of BDS services to the project target group. The BDS and private sector engagement advisor will report functionally to the project manager. The BDS Advisor shall identify opportunities and areas for improvement, to ensure quality delivery of the project. The position is provided for 36 months.

This position is based in Arua, with periodic travel to Kampala and districts in the West Nile region (Arua, Madi Okollo, Obongi and Moyo)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Advisory Services

• Acts as technical expert in BDS and private sector Engagement Advisor to the Project Manager.
• Create an enabling environment (by sharing knowledge, understanding stakeholders and environment) for the implementation of the project, for the project to meet its objectives.
• Ensures, monitors progress and reviews quality of own expertise and ensures client support and satisfaction during projects.

Knowledge Development

• Contributes to internal and external knowledge development,
• Ensures lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice and may be appointed as (national) focal point of an expertise network.
• Initiates/ coordinates the review process and evaluation of advisory services in order to collect lessons learned, proposes corrective measures and ensures identification of follow up assignments.
• Participates in knowledge development/expertise groups and in internal and external networks.

Project and process development

• Identifies and proposes technical process improvements to the project team.
•  Acts on improvement areas within the local internal organisation and processes and gives feedback.
• Ensures lessons learned are applied in daily practice.

People Management

• Steers (functionally) colleagues and coaches associated partners/ external stakeholders on quality within the context of assignments.
• Acts as a technical expert in the content area, applies process improvements in projects and coaches’ colleagues and associated partners both professionally as operationally on quality of context within projects.

Positioning

• Identifies and analyses market opportunities and threats and ensures relevant colleagues are informed.
• Actively participates in strategic positioning meetings and acts as a knowledgeable face of the SNV organisation to the client.
• Analyses, understands and develops (local) networks with relevant stakeholders, identifies new clients.

Business Development

• Builds, maintains and utilises relationships with relevant stakeholders, represents SNV and identifies opportunities for Business Development policies and procedures.
• Initiates assignments on a local/(sub)national level, supports proposals and develops technical processes during the inception phase of projects.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant field with relevant experience
• Experience in the private sector or providing technical assistance to improve private sector performance is required; ten years of experience is highly desired.
• Previous experience in private sector engagement in Uganda and particularly in West Nile, is desired.
• Demonstrated experience and In-depth knowledge and understanding of the West Nile private sector environment will be a plus.
• A proven ability to work collaboratively with and build consensus among private and public sector stakeholders;
• Experience working with stakeholders to develop finance/investment products and provide BDS;
• Ability to work independently and effectively within tight deadlines;
• Proven experience developing high-quality written deliverables, such as training materials, work plans and periodic performance reports.
• Experience working with EU funded project or other donors is an asset.
• The ability to hold on to views and plans of action, despite adversity.
• Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance
•  Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and detail-oriented, with a proactive planning and execution.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and impartiality.
•  Ability to work collaboratively in teams, build consensus, and effectively coordinate with internal and external actors is highly desired.
• Ability to coordinate with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability and willingness to travel to target districts.