Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. In Uganda SNV operates through a decentralised approach with a country office in Kampala and regional offices in Arua, Fort Portal, Lira, and Mbarara. SNV implements donor-funded activities across more than 100 districts in Uganda, ensuring broad and diverse impact.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Uganda and SNV visit our website: www.snv.org

Background information

SNV is currently in discussion with the Royal Netherlands Embassy (EKN), Kampala, to implement the Inclusive Livestock Development for smallholder (INCLUDE) project with the intention of starting the implementation of this 5-year project by April 2024. The project aims to improve resilient livelihoods for smallholder livestock farmers in Busoga, Rwenzori, Greater Ankole, and Kigezi regions. The project targets 75,000 smallholder farms (SHF) in these four subregions. The project adopted a farming systems approach integrating livestock and crops, having livestock (dairy cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and piggery) as an intervention entry point.

To address the above the project will apply the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach. The PIP approach is an innovative way of transforming small-scale subsistence farm households into more productive and sustainable farms. It is based on a visionary Integrated Farm Plan which is developed and drawn on a map by all family members, as well as a concrete action plan on how to realise that vision. Changing farmers’ mindsets by motivating them to transform their reality through conscious collective action is at the core of the PIP approach.

In addition to increased smallholder resilience, productivity, and income, the project will also support the ongoing school milk programme and be supportive of policy actors to develop and implement inclusive and responsive livestock policies and practices.

Job Purpose

The agronomy and soil health Advisor is part of the SNV Uganda Organisation and is appointed to be the leading expert on agronomy and soil health farming systems for the future INCLUDE project in the rural countryside being stationed in the INCLUDE project management office in Mbarara. The Agronomy and soil health advisor will lead in addressing all aspects of agronomy farming challenges within a large team of subject matter experts and 20 PIP field officers, all located in the four project areas. The advisor should also understand that livestock farming is an integral part of the SHF farming systems, being a mixture of farm enterprises such as crops, livestock, agroforestry, and fruit crops. In this system, the family allocates its resources. It is to manage the existing environment to attain the family goal efficiently. The farming system represents a proper combination of farm enterprises and the resources available to the farmer to raise them for profitability. Farm enterprises include cropping systems, horticulture, livestock, forestry, poultry, etc. It interacts adequately with the environment without dislocating the ecological and socioeconomic balance on the one hand and attempts to satisfy the smallholder farming and income goals on the opposite.

Responsibilities

• Advisory Services 

Agronomy and soil health advisor acts as a technical expert in the field of SHF agronomy and soil health management for the PIP field officers as well as for the regional coordinators and project management aiming to create an enabling environment (by sharing knowledge, understanding stakeholders and environment) for the implementation of specific agronomy and soil health interventions and extension into the project activities for the project to meet its objectives. Ensures, monitors progress and reviews quality of own expertise and ensures project management support and satisfaction during projects. Provides technical support to partners and smallholder farmers on integrating livestock climate-smart solutions in production. Promotes household diversification and supports linkages between business champions and climate-smart service providers to promote adoption at scale. The expert will also act as a coordinator for all INCLUDE activities for the Greater Ankole region.

• Knowledge Development 

Contributes to internal and external knowledge development, ensures lessons learned are harvested, documented, communicated, and applied in daily practice, and may be appointed as an expertise network's (national) focal point. Initiates/coordinates the review process and evaluation of agronomy and soil health management and extension services to collect lessons learned in farming systems, including CSA and draft power, proposes corrective measures, and ensures identification of follow-up assignments. Participates in knowledge development/expertise groups and internal and external networks.  

• Project and process development  

Identifies and proposes technical process improvements to the project team, partners, and smallholder farmers. Acts on improvement areas suggested by stakeholders or informed by the lessons learned. Ensures on ground adaptive management where all stakeholders adopt agronomy and soil health farming systems and CSA lessons learned in daily practice.  

• People Management  

Steers colleagues and coaches associated partners/smallholder farmers, and other external stakeholders on quality within the farming system context of assignments. Applies process improvements in projects and coaches’ colleagues, partners, and smallholders on quality and effective goat and sheep farming systems, agronomy, and soil health technologies and practices important for improved resilience to climate and price-related shocks and stresses.  

• Positioning 

Identifies and analyses agronomy and soil health farming systems, identifies development 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, farmer groups and smallholders. 

• 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.

• Facilitate annual work Plan.

Facilitate implementation of SHF village vision/work plans regarding improved crop productivity and livelihood related to agronomy and soil fertility. Conduct technical trainings/ meetings to organize SHF, villages, as well as with relevant project partners to restore degraded soil fertility and productivity and contribute to improved livelihood, income, and resilience.

• Establish agronomy and soil fertility learning platforms.

Establish agronomy and soil fertility learning committees in each district and project region. Facilitate the development of visions and action plans for the agronomy and soil fertility sector. Facilitate the formation of committees.

• Collect data for studies.

Collect data for baseline study, GESI analysis, agroecological systems, and farming systems while analysing market opportunities and bottlenecks.

• Study market spaces

Prioritize identification of general market access bottlenecks and opportunities in selected commodities. Identify entrepreneurial initiatives in target villages and districts. Develop work plans with input from technical experts for activities to be implemented.

Qualifications & Experience

• A minimum of a University Degree in Agriculture with specialisation in agronomy and soil health farming systems, smallholder development, and extension and communication techniques
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant work/field experience in programmes in areas of agronomy and soil health farming systems, smallholder farming development and resilience
• Ability and demonstrated experience in designing and appraising inclusive business cases. 
• Ability to meet deadlines and to work within a large multidiscipline team.
• Able and willing to support other INCLUDE regions by conducting 4 to 5 days field visits/trip.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Command of local Uganda languages is preferred.
• Computer literate, proficient with MS Word, Excel, and financial applications. 
• A self-motivated achiever with excellent leadership, teamwork, coaching, 
• Extension, Communication, analytical and organisational skills. 
• Strong work ethics, high level of confidentiality and Integrity
• Ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid riding permit is a MUST.

Additional requirements: 

• Problem analysis: The ability to detect problems, recognise important information and link various data to trace potential causes and look for relevant details.
• Coaching: Encouraging and guiding employees to make their performance more effective and to enhance their self-perception and problem-solving skills.  
• Focus on quality: Setting high-quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Result Orientation: The ability to take direct action to attain or exceed objectives.
• Persuasiveness: The ambition to win over other people for one’s views and ideas and to generate support.

How to apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and motivation letter in English. Deadline is Thursday 7th March 2024.

Working at SNV

We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to an international global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org.

NB: only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.