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

Context and purpose of the job

The Advisor is part of a SNV Country Organisation and works within Uganda on the Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) project.

The Advisor is specialised in the agri-food sector and provides technical insights and advisory services on products and interventions to the CRAFT project. The Advisor gives input to the Country Project Manager and project partners to meet the agreed objectives and realise successful interventions. The Advisor identifies opportunities and areas for improvement, to ensure quality delivery.

The Advisor is expected to provide follow-up support and collect and analyse evidence about the costs, benefits, and retention/adoption of climate smart agricultural practices for both smallholder farmers and for the SMEs and cooperatives involved in the project. The ultimate objective for this position is to contribute to ensuring sustainability and long-term impact as SMEs and farmers transition to adopting CSA practices and more cooperatives, service providers, investors, and other stakeholders adopt CRAFT approaches and products.

Priority support should go to:

• Selected climate smart products and services based on cost-benefit and effectiveness of climate adaptation for smallholder farmers.
• Selected business cases based on performance and potential for inclusive growth.
• Continued data capture and analysis to inform lessons learning in support of scaling up.

Specific tasks:

• Coach and support the highest performing BCs with growth potential to improve their performance and their impact for smallholder farmers in terms of income and farming practices.
• Incentivise and coach strategic service providers to scale selected CSA practices and technologies together with agribusinesses.
• Work with soil testing companies, quality seed distribution companies, local market facilitation agents (VAM/ToT), and CSA extension services to ensure sustainable service delivery models.
• Conduct profitability analyses for business champions, farmers, and service providers.
• Generate evidence and lessons on successfully implemented GESI-responsive approaches (inclusion in business practices and/or supply chains)

Roles and responsibilities 

Advisory Services

• Act as technical expert for the Project Managers and aim to create an enabling environment (by sharing knowledge, understanding stakeholders and environment) for the implementation of a project, for the project to meet its objectives.
• Ensure, monitor progress and review quality of own expertise and ensures client support and satisfaction during projects.

Knowledge Development

• Contribute to internal and external knowledge development.
• Ensure 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

• Identify and propose technical process improvements to the project team.
• Act 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.
• Act 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

• Identify and analyse market opportunities and threats and ensures relevant colleagues are informed.
• Participate in strategic positioning meetings.
• Act as a knowledgeable face of the SNV organisation to the client.
• Analyse and develop (local) networks with relevant stakeholders, identifies new clients.

Business Development

• Build, maintain and utilise relationships with relevant stakeholders, represents SNV
• Identify opportunities for Business Development policies and procedures.
• Initiate assignments on a local/(sub)national level, supports proposals and develops technical processes during the inception phase of projects.

Qualifications & Requirements  

• Master’s degree in specialised/ relevant technical field (for examples, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics). 6 or more years of experience in development work and project implementation or technical field.
• Agribusiness analytical and data presentation skills, climate smart agricultural technology profitability or viability analytical skills.
• Good report writing skills with proven ability to compile case studies, practice, and policy briefs and (other) documents for learning and sharing.

• Computer skills and software applications (email, word processing, spreadsheets, statistical programs).
• Teamwork, facilitation, coaching, mentoring skills and training.
• Sensitive and committed to gender equity and diversity.
• Ability and demonstrated experience with climate smart agriculture innovations.
• Technical expertise in qualitative or quantitative methodologies, data collection and analysis.

Additional requirements:

• Conceptual thinking

Having and gaining insight into situations, problems and processes. Deconstructing problems and systematically investigating the various components. Having a complete picture of the context and overview of the whole problem.

• Coaching

Encouraging and guiding employees in order 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 in order to attain or exceed objectives.

• Persuasiveness

The ambition to win over other people for one’s views and ideas and to generate support.

Qualifications & Requirements  

• Master’s degree in specialised/ relevant technical field (for examples, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics). 6 or more years of experience in development work and project implementation or technical field.
• Agribusiness analytical and data presentation skills, climate smart agricultural technology profitability or viability analytical skills.
• Good report writing skills with proven ability to compile case studies, practice, and policy briefs and (other) documents for learning and sharing.

• Computer skills and software applications (email, word processing, spreadsheets, statistical programs).
• Teamwork, facilitation, coaching, mentoring skills and training.
• Sensitive and committed to gender equity and diversity.
• Ability and demonstrated experience with climate smart agriculture innovations.
• Technical expertise in qualitative or quantitative methodologies, data collection and analysis.

Additional requirements:

• Conceptual thinking

Having and gaining insight into situations, problems and processes. Deconstructing problems and systematically investigating the various components. Having a complete picture of the context and overview of the whole problem.

• Coaching

Encouraging and guiding employees in order 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 in order 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 Tuesday 5th 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.