Economist & Access to Markets Advisor SNV

The INCLUDE (Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder farmers) Economist & Access to Market Advisor is one of the twelve (12) Senor advisors within the INCLUDE project. The position reports to the INCLUDE Project Manager. The project is funded by EKN and is implemented in selected districts of southwestern Uganda, western Uganda, Busoga region and Kampala area (School milk program only).

On the 1st of April, SNV started the implementation of this 5-year project, funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy (EKN), Kampala, Uganda. The project aims to improve resilient livelihoods and realising a living income for 75,000 smallholder livestock farmers, in Busoga, Rwenzori, Greater Ankole and Kigezi regions. INCLUDE is also aiming to have 37,500 acres of agricultural land under improved management as well as improving SHF access to input, output markers and access to affordable credit.

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 while adopting the farming systems approach integrating livestock and crops, having livestock (dairy cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs) as an intervention entry point.

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

Job Purpose
The SHF Economist and Access to Markets Advisor support the project in all relevant crosscutting financial, economic and market/marketing aspects such as; preparing cost benefit assessment on intervention proposed by the project, prepare cost price analyses on all kind of agricultural production activities (livestock and crops), establish a market price monitoring system, identification and assessment on relevant market actors (input and buyers and access to finance), support to relevant coops and SACCOs as well to be supportive in preparing relevant concept notes, Terms of Reference (ToR) as well as supporting the PM in annual reports. The economist and access to market will lead the implementation of the INCLUDE pathway 2 i.e. Inclusive livestock markets and will guide and supervise the activities of the SHF credit and SACCO advisor.

As member of the management team, he/she supports the INCLUDE Project Manager in managing the planning, inception, implementation, within scope, budget, timeline and acceptable quality levels along the commitments specified in the contracts signed with the donor(s) and other relevant stakeholders. The Economist and access to markets Advisor works in line with SNV standards, SNV`s approach to project management and donor regulations, to achieve high quality and achieve the agreed results and deliverables of the project.

The Job require frequent travel to the four project regions to conduct fact findings and assessment of service providers, coops and SACCO’s.

Job Description
Project Strategy
• Actively promote knowledge sharing, learning and joint actions amongst implementing partners and key stakeholder for livestock development.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation through technical assistance and capacity building to implementing partners, dairy cooperatives, women and youth in data collection and analysis.
• Support project planning and quality control of implementing partners deliverables according to the project document, budget, and SNV/donor requirements.

Networking and Partnership Development
• Participate in relevant conferences/events and communicate project results and best practices to a broader audience and stakeholder.
• Actively support livestock platforms in information sharing, learning and joint action for livestock development.
• Support livestock cooperatives in building working relationship with private sector, government and relevant service providers.
• Build and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including ministries, local government authorities, private sector, and partners.

Operational Support
• Support the project in preparing cost benefit assassment on intervention proposed by the project.
• Prepare costprice analyses on all kind of agricultural production activities (livestock and crops) and establish a market prices monitoring system.

Knowledge Development
• Provide support in knowledge development, case studies, testimonials and documentation of the evidence and results from the project interventions.
• Provide support in the SHF access to finance agenda.

Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in Economics or Business Administration, preferably with specialisations in rural development, microfinance, or agriculture economics.
• Eight (8) years plus of experience in the relevant field of agricultural finance or rural development programs/project support in a reputable organisation.

Eight (8) years of proven experience working with input/out market actors as well as with financial Institutions in Uganda.
• Experience in managing partner relations with NGOs, government departments, research and knowledge institutes, and private sector market actors.
• Ability/experience in guiding and coaching a team with the knowledge, skills, and financial product development.
• Knowledge and skills in documentation, planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, etc.
• Leadership, coaching, mentoring, back-stopping, and self-reflection skills.
• Innovative, entrepreneurial, and business oriented.
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills (in English).
• Good analytical skills combined with a practical and pragmatic approach oriented towards lasting results.
• Sensitive and committed to gender equity and diversity.

Additional Information
Key Competencies
• Leadership: The ability to provide direction and guidance to a group of people and to encourage cooperation between team members to attain an objective.
• Planning and organising: The ability to determine goals and priorities and to assess the actions, time and resources needed to achieve those goals.
• Decisiveness: The ability to make active decisions or to commit oneself by speaking one’s mind and taking position.
• 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
• Result orientation: The ability to take direct action to attain or exceed objectives.
• Focus on quality: Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.