Job Title: Policy Officer Food Security and Agriculture
Organisation: Netherlands Embassy in Kampala
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About US:
The Netherlands Embassy is the diplomat mission of The Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Job Summary: The Food and Nutrition Strategy of the Multi-Annual Country Strategy for Uganda (MACS) 2023-2026 of the Netherlands is focused on sustainable development of smallholder agriculture. Attention to resilience for climate change and market-failures are main features of the strategy. The policy officer provides advice on policy and supports the development and management of projects in line with the Dutch Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) policy as described in the Multi-Annual Country Strategy for Uganda. The policy officer also monitors developments in the agricultural sector and identifies and processes relevant statistical and socio-economic data from both national and district level. The policy officer is responsible for the management of projects, quality assessments and approval of project reports. The policy officer will be part of the Food and Nutrition Security cluster, which is coordinated by the First Secretary Food and Nutrition Security. The policy officer is accountable to the Head of Development Cooperation for effective development of project proposals, implementation of projects and assess their progress.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop projects within the FNS portfolio to support the operationalization of Dutch FNS policy objectives in Uganda.
- Support the identification, design, formulation, and preparation of projects to support the operationalization of MACS objectives in Uganda.
- Follow, analyse and report on relevant developments with regards to food security, agriculture, climate, and related domains.
- Analyse and report on statistical and other relevant reports on agricultural and socio-economic developments at national and district level. Translate (statistical and other) reports in concrete relevant information for the development of the FNS portfolio and the management of the individual projects.
Food security portfolio implemented according to signed contracts and proper financial rules. This involves periodic monitoring and review to ensure that projects remain on track, accountability and shared learning.
- Conduct regular field monitoring visits and reflection/learning meetings to ensure that projects are on track and comply with agreements made.
- Ensure regular communication and coordination is maintained with project partners.
- Adequately review and assess project reports and budgets.
- Ensure quality, accountability and learning within the projects.
- Ensure timely mid-term reviews and evaluations of the projects.
- Ensure that projects adhere to pro-poor, smallholder-farmer-focused and land-use-sustainability approaches.
- Collaborate with Climate, Gender and other experts at the embassy and assure mainstreaming of these topics in projects and interlinkages between FNS and other thematic areas;
- Monitor relevant interventions centrally funded by the ministry in The Hague;
- Ensure internal and external coordination and integration of projects with other Dutch funded activities or projects.
Linkages brokered with relevant Dutch institutions and Dutch companies.
- Maintain contacts with relevant Dutch international consultative bodies and working groups, to exchange information and coordinate action on policy matters.
- Advise and facilitate the Dutch research and education institutes and NGOs implementing activities in Uganda;
Build, expand and maintain consolidated networks within the Ugandan government in the agriculture sector
- Build and maintain an adequate network with Ugandan government officials and experts, as well other Development Partners.
- Represent the Embassy in relevant fora and platforms, if required.
- Participate, if required, in donor coordination meetings, consultations with government, civil society and private sector, and assure the interests of the Netherlands.
- Explore linkages and collaboration with the ministry of agriculture, local governments and other relevant Ugandan agencies on relevant policies and programs to enhance performance of FNS projects.
- Contribute to the visibility of and (public) communication around projects of the FNS portfolio.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant for the Dutch Embassy job must hold a University level in relevant agricultural and sustainable development disciplines. Masters degree required.
- Possess technical and operational knowledge in agricultural disciplines including but not limited to: farming systems, sustainable land use, value chains, livelihoods, resilient development of smallholder agriculture, climate smart agriculture, market development and institutional development.
- Level of experience and skills: at least 8 years’ experience required.
- Skill in policy analysis and drawing up policy recommendations, in translating policy insights and policy information into projects, advice, plans and reports and in assessing their policy and financial implications.
- Skill in analysis of statistical, socio-economic and political-economy reports on developments in the agricultural and food security sectors.
- Proven experience with smallholder agriculture and the capacity to identify relevant challenges and opportunities.
- Previous experience and skill in project development and management.
- Management experience in implementation of agricultural or rural projects.
- Relevant network and ability to build relationships with donor agencies, government, private sector, civil society, and community partners.
- Knowledge of methods and techniques for conducting studies and evaluations, and the skill for using them.
- Proven track record of working in culturally diverse environments and with multi-disciplinary teams
- Willingness to undertake regular field monitoring visits
How to Apply:
All qualified and interested candidates should send their updated resumes and cover letters to kam@minbuza.nl
NB: Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Deadline: 2nd June 2023