Program Officer (02)

Job Details

Program Officer (02 positions: 01 Kabarole and 01 Hoima) under the Agrifood System Transformation for Youth Employment (ASTYE) Uganda program - a 5-year transformative initiative aligned to Uganda Vision 2040 and MasterCard Foundation's Young Africa Works strategy aiming to reach 500,000 financially disadvantaged young people (80% young women, 5% refugees, 5% people with disabilities), with 456,000 transiting into work. Reporting to the Program Technical Specialists, the officer coordinates and implements market system development activities in assigned districts with travel within implementation districts. Application deadline 25th August 2026.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• In coordination with ASTYE Technical Specialists and local partners, plan, implement and monitor market system development activities within assigned districts.
• Support private sector actors to design, test and deliver services that increase youth employment and self-employment within the agricultural market system.
• Assist in developing capacity building materials for business, technical and financial capacities and participate in capacity building sessions.
• Support execution of field activities to ensure programme results are achieved and deliverables completed as planned.
• Support mobilization and engagement of targeted youth for sustainable participation and identify small business activities for seed support.
• Identify value-addition opportunities that strengthen economic opportunities for young women and rural youth in livestock and agriculture.
• Support Private Sector Actors, CSOs and CBOs to implement approved activities in line with milestone-based agreements and timelines.
• Establish and maintain coordination with sub-county and district leadership and local government departments and represent GOAL in district coordination meetings.
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with local government, NGOs and local authorities.
• Participate in learning and review meetings bringing private and public sector entities together on technology and innovation.
• Work closely with district M&E team to capture data for measuring output and impact, including entry into PSA tracker and Commcare database.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on program progress.
• Maintain proper filing systems regarding market development activities.
• Liaise with local government officials, NGOs, civil society and notables to ensure support for ASTYE interventions.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences, Agri-business Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Extension & Education, or Agriculture & Rural Innovation.
• Minimum of 3 years practical experience working with Private Sector Actors and Market Systems Development.
• Strong partnership management skills and knowledge of partnership processes.
• Knowledge and experience in business financing for SMEs.
• Experience with very small and medium-sized companies in a development setting desirable.
• Strong communication and negotiating skills.
• Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly.
• Knowledge of the agricultural sectors highly desirable.