JOB DETAILS:
Position Overview
The main objective of the function
Solidaridad ECA is implementing a three-year Danida Green Business Partnership funded project, ”Harvesting Carbon: Pioneering a Pay-for-Impact Model for Carbon Mitigation and Adaptation in Coffee in Uganda”. The project is looking at pioneering an industry-first pay-for-impact model where carbon impact units (verified scope 3 reductions) will be generated and traded alongside coffee presenting a scalable market based solution to environmental challenges in Uganda. The project will work with 4,500 farmers and will be implemented in the Central Uganda districts of Kiboga, Mityana, and Wakiso and the South Western Uganda districts of Sheema, Rwampara, and Ntungamo. This will be achieved through implementing inclusive interventions like Good Agricultural Practices, Climate Smart Agriculture Practices, and wide-scale use of bio char while supporting the farmers in the project to comply with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation. The project will work with commercial partners including Louis Dreyfus Company, Merrild Kaffe, and Lavazza Foundation.

Organizational position
The Project Associate reports to the Projects Officer at the national and regional levels and works closely with the Project Manager at the country level. The Project Associate works closely with the Project Officers, Senior Project Officers, Project innovation theme advisors, and the quality function teams. The Project Associate will coordinate people and processes to ensure that the Project is delivered on time and produce the desired results. S/he will also actively participate in business development activities.

Roles and Responsibilities
1. Participate in organizing extension activities which include field days, agricultural shows field demonstrations, farm visits etc.
2. Support training curriculum delivery and review.

3. Analyse data for the purpose of improving the project’s training programme.

4. Participate in collaborative research activities.
5. Support the promotion of functional collaboration with local authorities, as well as with project/ development stakeholders to strengthen the commodity value chains across projects.

6. Work closely with farmers’ cooperatives and associations to identify opportunities, risks and approaches for the project.

7. Support in the establishment and running of project hardware and technologies.
8. Support the operationalization of the implementation strategies as defined by the project.
9. Provide technical advice and support.
10. Disseminate and implement project-technologies related.
11. Support preparation of monthly project reports, budgets, and work plans in line with Solidaridad’s planning process and schedules in a timely manner for submission.

12. Capturing, maintaining and storing project data and supporting data analysis.
13. Ensure key activities of programme stakeholders are carried out to track financial and programmatic implementation.

Knowledge and experience
• Relevant academic level education, Bachelor's degree or higher – in relevant field e.g. Agriculture, Public Policy, Development Studies, Project Management, Strategic Management, etc.
• At least one (1) to three (3) years experience in the region.

• An understanding of the policy environment, issues and stakeholders in the agriculture and/or agribusiness sector in East and Central Africa.
• Experience of leading and managing small teams.
• Fluent in spoken and written English, other language skills proficiency desirable.
• Knowledge of strategic, human resource, financial and quality management.

Specific job requirements
• Adaptability and stress management skills.
• Time management, organizational skills and problem solving skills.
• Analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Multi skilled with multi-tasking capabilities.
• Strong team-player with a high level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Experience in program administration, operating procedures, oversight and monitoring.