About US:
Trust for Africa’s Orphans Uganda (TAOU) is a local NGO whose mission is to improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable members of the community through agricultural transformation, learning to improve and expand their focus towards skilled, transparent and business-minded members of the community in northern Uganda. It achieves this through; sustainable farming practices, Livestock farming, Environmental protection and conservation practices, Support provision of education and skills, Support provision of health and sanitation services to the target communities, Land rights awareness, Implementation of enterprise development and income generation activities; and advocacy for promotion child/widows protection policies among others.
About Project:
TAOU is undertaking a project named Agri-Enterprise in Sunflower, Soya bean, Simsim and Sorghum for small scale farmers to be implemented over three years with relevant district structures in Pader district commencing on 1st April 2016. This district face the challenges from climate change induced prolonged droughts and food insecurity as well as refugee influx as a result of conflict in the neighbouring state of South Sudan.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Work in liaison with other Project staff to support community mobilization on formation of farmer cooperatives, cooperative committees, and providing market information to the farmer cooperatives formed.
Work with other staff in collection and verification of baseline data
Identification and registration of beneficiaries, organisation of the training clusters, commencement of training in Sustainable Agriculture, provision of crop inputs, planting and nurturing of the crops, ensure correct harvest and short term storage of crop products and bulking them in the Coop store
Support the farmers set up Coop committee and training the leaders of their duties, record keeping, and village savings and loan schemes among others.
Introduction of main crop buyers to the Coop committee, negotiate purchase contracts for each crop to be produced. Introduction of seed suppliers and negotiate seed purchase contracts for succeeding seasons.
Mentor and train the cooperative committees formed to be able to have capacity in negotiating and signing contracts with commercial buyers to increase and maximize the value of sales.
Carry out training and demonstration for profitable and strategic enterprises using a participatory approach (hands on) to instill better farming skills and knowledge to the beneficiaries and their neighbours.
Provide support in the development of the capacity of the farmers in the area of agriculture through identification of gaps and identifying possible capacity building needs
In charge of networking, developing and solidifying partnerships; collaborate and work with crop buyers, financial institutions, and local government production department to promote agri enterprise development in the district
Work with farmers, farmer groups, governmental departments at the local and national level to promote agribusiness development and advocate for policies and legislation to promote a viable rural agricultural economy.
Work closely with the farmer cooperatives to develop marketing and business plans and to assist them in agriculture-related endeavors.
Responsible for the preparation and submission of monthly progress reports to the supervisors.
In charge of supporting the farmer cooperatives on development of value chain strategy and ensuring that the strategy implemented can build capacity of famer cooperatives, committee and beneficiaries to find access in different Income generation activities and value addition linked to the market
Perform any other duties that may be assigned to you by your supervisor that promote the aims and objectives of the organisation.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the Cooperative Officer vacancy should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Rural Economy, Economics or Commerce or Business Administration/ Studies or Finance and Accounting from a recognized University/ Institution. Possession of a Post Graduate Diploma in Cooperatives or related field will be an added advantage.
Previous exposure and experience in marketing or sales preferred, and a proven record of success in developing and implementing agricultural support projects is required
Personal Competencies; team work, supervisory skills, ethics and integrity, records and information management, policy management and project management
Fluency in Luo or Acholi.
How to Apply:
All candidates should send their application letters with detailed CVs, photocopies of testimonials, three professional references including their telephone contacts via post, email or hand deliver to the address below:
The Board Secretary,
TAOU Board of Directors,
Plot No. 152, Mutesa 11 Road, Ntinda Nakawa
P.O. Box, 4523, Kampala, Uganda.
Email: info@taouganda.org
Deadline: 18th March 2016 by 5:00 PM