Cardno International Development (ID) manages a number of donor-funded programs throughout the world and engages in international development as a holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated process. Strengthened by our geographic and market diversity, we are committed to providing innovative and integrated solutions that create opportunities for significant, lasting change it emerging economies. Collaborating with multilateral and bilateral donors, private client’s governments and communities to develop sustainable solutions to complex challenges, we work with local counterparts to achieve meaningful impact. Cardno has implemented more than 120 projects in Uganda. Cardno is implementing the five-year (2021-2026 USAID-funded Feed the Future Uganda Institutional and Systems Strengthening (SS Activity. The goal of the Activity is for key national level Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and industry apex organizations (IAOS) that are vital to driving inclusive agriculture-led economic growth to fulfill their mandate, leading to pathways to prosperity, improved resilience, and better nutrition for the people of Uganda.
The purpose of the Activity is to improve the performance and structures of MDAs and IAOS. This purpose will be achieved through the following four objectives: (1) Improve the internal processes of selected MDAs and IAOS, making them more responsive to the needs of their consumers, members, and the general public (2) Improve the policy framework that supports the functionality of selected MDAs and IAOs; (3) Strengthen key capacity elements of select MDAS and IAOs to perform their mandates; and (4) Strengthen the “structures” or key vertical and horizontal linkages within, between and among institutions so that they work together more effectively to achieve their goals.

Purpose:
The Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Director will support the Activity to ensure success of all institutional strengthening aspects of the Activity in both MDAs and TAOS. Duties and Responsibilities: Reporting to the Chief of Party, the institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Director will be responsible for achieving Activity success through implementing institutional strengthening aspects under all the objectives of the project under the following tasks:
• Oversee the implementation of advocacy initiatives on the ISS Activity. The role shall involve building capacity of priority IAOs and MDAs to enable them to adopt best practices and approaches to champion their own advocacy agenda. The Activity shall apply a facilitative approach to the advocacy agenda.
• Support beneficiary 1AOS in development, implementation and review of advocacy strategies and action plans.
• Provide oversight to the PICAL and OCA assessment process with MDAs and IAOs, and provide leadership to the institutional strengthening managers to ensure timeliness in implementation of ISS activities in line with the results of the PICAL and OCA assessments.
• Critically analyze areas of underperformance as identified in PICAL and OCA assessments. The ISA director shall map and initiate collaborations that enable MDAs and IAO to address the areas of underperformance.
• Propose strategies to feed the Future Uganda ISS to leverage resources with other Partners within the private and public spectrum in line with the Activity mandate.
• Bring to the attention of the Chief of Party any capacity building challenges encountered in MDAs, and IAOs that affect the success of the Activity
• Support the DCOP and COP to coordinate engagements, participation/collaboration of other USAID Activities to formulate capacity strengthening solutions. This shall involve development of mechanisms to strengthen vertical and horizontal linkages; inter and intra MDA and IAOS
• Serve as the point of contact for/working with GOU and AO counterparts on capacity strengthening aspects and linkages with Civil Society Organizations
• Assist in developing work plans and reports as stipulated in the USAID ISS contract.
• Identify targeted research needs for institutional strengthening and policy reform among MDAs and TAOs and work with local counterparts to conduct targeted research, to inform planned interventions and activities.
• Collaborate with Director of MEL and Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) to set learning Agenda in MDAs and lAOs to conduct learning sessions in MDAs and 1AOS Coordinate Activity staff capacity strengthening activities Support the Grants Specialist to assess the strength of IAO grantees of the Activity and propose and evaluate candidate AOS for grant award based on the Activity’s selection criteria.
• Develop sustainability plans among MDAs and IAOs beyond the Activity and keep iSS Management informed of such sustainability plans.
• Support the Grants Specialist to assess the strength of AO grantees of the Activity and propose and evaluate candidate IAOs for grant award based on the Activity’s selection criteria.
• Develop sustainability plans among MDAs and IAOS ‘beyond the Activity and keep iSS Management informed of such sustainability plans.
• Engage 1AOs in prioritization of policy challenges and bring this to the attention of the DCOP to create avenue for engagement with Government counterparts.
• In collaboration with the COP, ensure subcontractor inputs are aligned to Activity mandate.
• Other duties as shall be delegated by the COP

Qualifications and Experience
• A Master’s Degree in public policy. public administration, organizational development international relations or other relevant field.
• Minimum of 10 years institutional capacity strengthening hands-on experience in higher level industry organizations at the Macro level; MDAs, TAOs and CSOs.
• Experience with similar scope as above on a USAID funded program is highly preferred.
• Significant management experience
• Experience implementing complex donor-funded projects with multiple activities, and direct knowledge of the Ugandan agricultural market system context and relevant institutions.
• Excellent track record of achieving results in similar types of activities with a demonstrated high level of technical, analytical writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with senior government officials at central and private sector executives and building consensus among diverse actors is required.
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills.
• Innovative and critical thinker.
• Excellent research and public speaking skills
• Proficiency in English required.
• Ugandan citizenship

Estimated Period of Performance:
The opening is a full-time position and will require staff time of 40 hours a week.

Estimated Level of Effort:
This is a long-term position and is based in Kampala, Uganda.

Reporting:
The Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Director will report to the Chief of Party. This position has supervisory responsibility over two managers responsible for the public and private sectors respectively.

Send an application with a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for the position, and a complete and updated CV to info@ftfugandaiss.com

Please indicate “Application for Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Director” in the subject fine. No additional documentation will be reviewed if sent.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates may be called for an interview prior to the close of the application period. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications from third-country nationals will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity statement: Cardno has a long-standing policy of Equal Opportunity in employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner.
We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. At any time, if you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources at jobs@cardno.com.