About US:
Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) is established as a public Authority with a mandate to promote and oversee the coffee industry by supporting research, promoting production, controlling the quality and improving the marketing of coffee in order to optimize foreign exchange earnings for the country and payments to the farmers. UCDA envisions a sustainable coffee industry with high stakeholder value for social economic transformation. The Authority’s mission is “To facilitate increase in quality coffee production, productivity, and consumption.”
Job Summary: The Director Development Services will provide leadership and technical guidance in the development and implementation of policies and strategies for improved coffee production and productivity and for a sustainable coffee subsector.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Development of coffee production and productivity strategies:
Lead the development of policies and strategies for increasing coffee production and productivity at farm level in a sustainable way that addresses the social, ecological and economic dimensions.
Oversee countrywide programs for development and generating or improving the quality of coffee planting material (seed and seedlings).
Oversee the promotion of coffee planting in new areas and rehabilitation of established trees.
Coffee extension and advisory services
Formulate and review strategies for the provision of coffee extension and advisory services at on-farm and off-farm levels to enhance farmers’ adoption of good agricultural practices.
Provide technical guidance on strategies for strengthening farmer organisations and producer cooperatives to enhance commercialization for smallholder farmers and ensure broad access to extension, inputs and aggregation.
Provide leadership and guidance in the implementation of technical extension activities and enforcement of coffee regulations at farm and post-harvest levels.
Work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and other key actors in the provision of coffee specific extension and advisory services under the Government single spine extension system and strategy.
Work in liaison with Director Strategy and Business Development, collect, analyse and share relevant data and information on coffee production with farmers and other actors.
Coordination of coffee research institutions:
Coordinate with the public and private coffee research institutions in the development of field trials and rapid multiplication of improved coffee planting materials.
Liaise with coffee research institutions and scientists on research and development of improved and cost-effective coffee production approaches and methods of good agricultural practices including management of pest and disease and mitigation of climate change.
Collaborate with national, regional and international coffee researchers in the collection, interpretation and dissemination of research findings to inform coffee development and farm management practices in the country.
Coordinate disease and pest surveillance programs with research, and provide feedback to Management and policy makers for action.
Represent UCDA and in particular the Managing Director in coffee research and development fora or committees as may be applicable.
Process support, planning and budgeting:
Supervise the preparation and implementation of the Directorate’s business plan, annual work plans and budgets, and monitor their implementation.
Develop the Directorate’s procurement plans, and monitor their implementation in line with established procurement guidelines.
Regularly monitor and evaluate the Directorate’s performance, services and processes in line with the organizational objectives.
Evaluate the risk management strategies for the Directorate to confirm compliance with the Authority’s Risk Management Framework.
Support the review and improvement of governance processes under the Directorates’ departments, sections and business units.
Partnership building and collaboration:
Support the development of strategic linkages with coffee sub-sector stakeholders to promote coffee development and regulation programs.
Build effective and lasting partnerships and networks in liaison with other development organizations involved in the coffee sub-sector.
Ensure well-coordinated and collaborative efforts with all actors in the delivery of all coffee research, development and extension services.
Support the development of MOUs with public and private institutions where appropriate.- Provide regular feedback on the status of the partnerships and networks relating to the functions of the Directorate.
People management and supervision:
Provide leadership and guidance for unison understanding of the Directorates’ objectives and goals;
Review and monitor targets set for all staff in the Directorate and guide the development of key performance indicators;
Monitor the performance of Directorate staff, and provide continuous guidance to help meet expected performance targets;
Coach and develop the Directorate’s Team, through setting of objectives, training and personal development, and succession plans.
Reporting:
Coordinate the preparation and submission of field reports for consolidation and follow up.
Prepare the Directorate’s reports and submit them to the Management Team for approval in line with established reporting procedures.
Support the Director Strategy and Business Development in preparation and dissemination of reports and information to stakeholders regarding achievements/milestones in the implementation of the Coffee Policy and the National Coffee Strategy.
Support the Director Strategy and Business Development in preparation and dissemination of the Annual Report in accordance with statutory requirements.
Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Management Team from time to time.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The applicant must hold a Master’s degree in any one of the following disciplines: Crop Science; Soil Science; Agricultural Management; Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture and Applied Economics; – Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in any one of the following disciplines: Agriculture; Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Agricultural and Rural Innovations;
A minimum of ten years’ experience in the implementation of crop production and productivity programs, seven (7) of which should have been at a senior level in the management of a department or program or project responsible for increasing agricultural production and productivity.
Ability to formulate strategies and policies for improved coffee production and productivity;
Strong leadership and organizational skills;
Excellent judgment, analytical and decision making skills;
Excellent communication skills and the ability to maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders;
Excellent report writing skills
How to Apply:
All candidates should email your application quoting the relevant job title to Executive Selection Division, KPMG at the following email address: esd@kpmg.co.ug. The application should be a maximum of 2MB including a cover letter (maximum 1 page) summarising why you consider yourself particularly well suited for the position, your CV and certified copies of professional/academic certificates. All applications should be sent via email, clearly stating the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Deadline: 14th August 2017 by 17.00 hrs Local Time