Job Summary: The Livelihoods & Agriculture Specialist strengthens the quality, relevance and development of Suyana’s livelihoods, agriculture and economic strengthening work in Uganda, while contributing to regional learning and collaboration where relevant. Working closely with the Regional Programmes Manager Africa, the Uganda Country Coordinator, the MEL Officer, other technical experts and implementing partners, the role supports partners to design, implement and continuously improve sustainable livelihoods and agriculture programmes aligned with national priorities, market realities and Suyana’s integrated development approach.

The role combines programme design, field support, capacity strengthening, monitoring and learning, proposal development, market systems work and stakeholder engagement. It requires a practical professional who is comfortable working with partners, farmers, producer groups, cooperatives, local authorities, agricultural extension services and private sector actors. The Specialist works closely with Suyana’s Health, Education and other technical specialists so that

livelihoods and agriculture interventions contribute to income, food security, nutrition, education, health and household wellbeing.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Partner Support and Capacity Strengthening

• Work closely with implementing partners throughout the project cycle and provide practical advice that strengthens delivery and results.
• Assess partners’ technical capacity and provide coaching, training and practical support to strengthen livelihoods systems, agriculture practices, enterprise development and programme quality.
• Facilitate trainings, mentoring and learning sessions for partner staff, farmers, producer groups, cooperatives and community stakeholders.

Programme Quality and Design

• Lead the design and improvement of livelihoods and agriculture initiatives, including needs assessments, market analysis, contextual analysis, stakeholder consultations, theories of change, logical frameworks, indicators, implementation strategies and budgets.
• Provide guidance on smallholder agriculture, crop and livestock production, soil fertility, water management, climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest handling, value addition and rural enterprise development.
• Ensure programmes are practical, sustainable, responsive to community needs and aligned with national priorities, market realities and Suyana’s integrated development approach.
• Work closely with Suyana’s Health, Education and other technical specialists to ensure livelihoods and agriculture activities contribute to household resilience, nutrition, education and health.
• Maintain regular exchange with Suyana’s Livelihoods & Agriculture Specialist in Rwanda to promote practical collaboration, shared learning and coherence across the Uganda and Rwanda livelihoods and agriculture portfolios.
• Contribute to concept notes, proposals, donor reports, fundraising initiatives and learning products.

Enterprise Development and Market Systems

• Support business development, entrepreneurship and practical financial planning for community-based livelihood initiatives.
• Strengthen producer groups, cooperatives and rural enterprises so that they can function effectively and sustainably.
• Support partners to improve market access, value chains and linkages between farmers, suppliers, service providers and buyers.
• Promote profitable livelihood opportunities that help households move beyond subsistence production towards greater economic resilience.

Monitoring, Learning and Evidence Use

• Work with the MEL Officer to ensure livelihoods and agriculture programmes have relevant indicators, monitoring tools and learning processes.
• Use programme data, market information, assessments and feedback to improve programme quality, income outcomes and decision-making.
• Review monitoring reports and evaluations, identifying lessons, risks and options for adaptation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Build and maintain constructive relationships with government agencies, agricultural extension services, cooperatives, producer groups, private sector partners, development partners and relevant networks.
• Represent Suyana in technical meetings, coordination forums and learning events, and support partners to strengthen their own stakeholder engagement.
• Monitor agriculture, livelihoods and rural development priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration, partnership and future programme development.

Safeguarding

• Promote a strong safeguarding culture across all livelihoods and agriculture activities.
• Support partners to apply safeguarding standards and ensure activities prioritise the safety, dignity and wellbeing of children, young people and other participants.

Profile and Qualifications

• We are looking for an experienced livelihoods and agriculture professional who combines strong technical expertise with a collaborative and practical working style.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Takes initiative and looks for practical solutions.
• Hands-on attitude and willingness to work closely with partners, farmers, producer groups and communities.
• Works well in a team and builds positive, trusting relationships.
• Demonstrates empathy, respect and cultural sensitivity.
• Communicates clearly and listens actively.
• Shows integrity, accountability and professionalism.
• Collaborative while able to work independently.
• Thinks critically, solves problems effectively and adapts to changing priorities.
• Organised and committed to learning, innovation, continuous improvement, inclusion and safeguarding.
• Technical qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Rural Development or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in livelihoods, agriculture or economic development programming.
• Strong knowledge of smallholder agriculture, livestock production, climate-smart agriculture, soil and water management, post-harvest handling, value addition, enterprise development, value chains and market systems.
• Experience in programme design, implementation, technical advisory support and quality assurance.
• Experience supporting producer groups, cooperatives, rural enterprises or market-oriented livelihood initiatives.
• Experience with project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation, and using evidence to improve programme quality and impact.
• Excellent facilitation, mentoring and communication skills.
• Strong written and spoken English. Knowledge of a Ugandan local language is highly desirable.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and relevant livelihoods or agriculture data and reporting tools.
• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, Agribusiness or a related field.
• Experience supporting local partner organisations and strengthening their technical systems.
• Experience with integrated, multi-sectoral development programmes, preferably in holistic community development contexts.
• Familiarity with Uganda’s agriculture and livelihoods context, including extension structures, producer groups, cooperatives, rural markets, value chains and relevant rural development policies.