The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.

IFDC is recruiting for two anticipated projects related to Highland Farming Systems and Climate Smart Jobs in Uganda expected to start in early/mid 2022 – 2026. The proposed projects will work with over 100,000 beneficiaries in the highland areas of the three regions of Elgon, Kigezi, and Rwenzori, in northern Uganda and in other areas relevant to agricultural production and processing of project supported crops.

The proposed project aims to achieve the following main impacts:

• Food security and dietary diversity improved for rural households in the Ugandan highlands, Northern Uganda and other productive regions of the country
• Ugandan smallholder farming households obtain a living income and are sustainably economically resilient
• Eco-efficient farming, making sustainable use of and protecting natural resources
• The agriculture sector offers resource-constrained households a pathway out of poverty
• Creation of jobs and economic opportunities for rural and urban populations with a focus on women, youth and socially and economically disadvantaged persons

IFDC is seeking recruitment for the market systems lead to be based in Kampala or one of the field offices.

Position Summary

The Market Systems Lead will be responsible for the technical design, implementation, and partnership strategy for the anticipated project. S/he will lead a team toward facilitated approaches to engage private sector firms in investing in upgrades to the agriculture sector, including but not limited to improved inputs, private sector advisory services, post-harvest services, and provision of market information. S/he will work closely with the technical teams to identify and manage partnerships that yield results in line with objectives.

Main Tasks And Responsibilities

• Implementation of Inclusive Market Systems Development Approach-ensure technical quality and provide support to project teams- including building capacity of project teams to implement inclusive market systems approach.
• Implement operational work plans related market systems in accordance with the budget, results framework, and administrative guidelines approved by the program management.
• Provide ongoing, responsive technical support and guidance to projects to enhance quality application of inclusive market systems approach.
• Lead and/or oversee discrete and ongoing technical services collaboratively with project teams, including initial startup staff trainings, conducting end market, market systems and value chain analyses, designing project strategies and facilitation activities, providing ongoing mentoring and technical guidance, annual work planning, and informing appropriate monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches
• Identify capacity gaps across the broad range of market actors, and facilitate capacity building plans and access to training services
• Identify and work closely with lead and intermediate private sector firms, building their capacity on firm-led services reaching farming communities, as well as women and youth
• Facilitate private sector investment in embedded services, expansion to rural areas, and other innovative solutions Engage with donors, implementers, and other stakeholders to document, share, promote, and exchange learning, best practice, and experience from the project. Participate in networking events, conferences and donor outreach events. Engage in technically relevant communities of practice and/or working groups. Identify partners and build effective professional partnerships to help IFDC achieve its goals.
• Facilitate specific producer/marketing/commercial groups engage the keys market players through collective price negotiations, contracts and/or warehouse receipting as appropriate.
• Identify and facilitate establishment suitable innovative marketing information system (MIS) for the priority value chains.
• Implement diagnostics and assessments for evaluating market opportunities and constraints, identifying partners, and designing mutually beneficial project partnerships
• Monitor progress of work plan implementation, identifying issues (technical and coordination) and formulate solutions to address the identified issues
• Coordinate regular learning events and establishment of contractual engagements between various value chain actors
• Coordinate the adoption of new marketing approaches in the value chains and livelihoods development

Supervision and team collaboration

The market systems lead is supervised by and reports to the project manager. She/ he works in close collaboration with project colleagues, other IFDC staff and colleagues from other consortium members.

Position and duty station

The market systems lead is a national position with a duty in the IFDC offices in Kampala or one of the field offices.

The position requires intensive travels (up to 50% of the time) in target regions in Uganda and may require some international travel to other IFDC countries.

Qualification Requirements

This is a senior position that requires highly motivated and self-driven individuals with the following qualifications.

• Holds a master’s degree in Agricultures, agribusiness, international development, natural resources management or any other related course.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing and implementing market systems interventions for international development projects in Africa
• Experience managing technical teams for market systems development, including training, capacity building, mentorship, and day-to-day management
• Experience in agriculture, food security, post-harvest handling and processing, and/or market access
• Familiarity with market systems development framework, including tools, strategies, and approaches
• Strong networking skills and knowledge and contacts within the Uganda agriculture sector
• Strong training design, training delivery, and facilitation skills
• Ability to manage partners, sub-contracts and grant making programs with all required reporting requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in small audience and large audience settings.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, proficiency in multiple local languages is an asset.