Description

Heifer International in partnership with Mastercard Foundation (MCF) is implementing the SAYE project in 11 districts (Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, Kamuli, Kaliro, Namutumba, Bugweri, Luuka, Buyende, Namayingo and Bugiri) in Busoga sub-region and 3 Districts in Buganda. The project is implemented by Heifer in a consortium with four partners: Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Ltd (CURAD), Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME), Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU) and ASIGMA Group. The project focuses on addressing market system barriers for youth transition to work while building and strengthening systems and structures as enablers for youth to secure dignified and fulfilling work. The intervention targets to reach 250,000 young people 16-35 years (70% females and 30% male) among which, 3% of youth are persons living with disabilities. Out of the total reached, 175,000 youth will transition into dignified and fulfilling work within the agribusiness enterprises under priority value chains of poultry, horticulture, oilseeds, dairy, and beef. 

 SAYE project aims to stimulate economic development through agribusiness, providing youth with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and sustain agribusiness ventures. Many young people look up to the project to elevate their agribusinesses and livelihoods.

KEY PURPOSE OF JOB

The Business Facilitator is the project’s frontline field agent leading on the day-to-day planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the SAYE Project at the district level. This role involves delivering agribusiness facilitation services (mobilizing, training, coaching, and creating linkages to resources, markets, and finance) within target communities to increase the participation of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in starting or expanding enterprises within prioritized value chains. Key responsibilities include working with community structures to mobilize and engage young people in project activities. You will provide direct business support to the targeted individuals and groups and facilitate connections with commercial service providers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Community and Farmer/Youth Group Mobilization 

• Identify and work with the project front-line team (CAE, CAVES, CF’s & DIF) and community development mobilisers to conduct sensitization meetings required to achieve better community understanding, engagement, mindset change and participation of women and people with disabilities in project.
• Identify, mobilize, and register individual youth involved or Self-Help Groups (SHG), in target value chains that seek to generate economic and social value to the groups.
• Support the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHG). and Agri hubs based on the identified value chain and opportunities using appropriate tools and provide technical business management training relative to the implementation of each group and Agri hub.

Enterprise Development and Support 

• Identify viable agribusiness opportunities for youth (both on-farm and off-farm).
• Facilitate the formation and development of profitable and self-sustaining youth led Agri-hubs.
• Support youth groups to access productive resources such as land, mechanization services, labour force etc. within their local contexts.

Market Linkages and Value Chain Integration 

• Support or facilitate linkages and partnerships with off-takers, input providers, financial service providers, government agencies and development partners to build profitable and sustainable markets.
• Identify and support the Self-Help Groups and Agri-hubs to explore opportunities for value addition as well as the forward and backward linkages.

Capacity Building

• Support in training and coaching of front-line teams on various aspects of the project activities implementation to suit the needs of youth and women (e.g., low literacy-friendly materials, flexible training schedules, interpersonal relations etc)
• Facilitate training of Self-Help Groups (SHG) / Agri hubs in Values Based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD) approach (agribusiness, HPI cornerstones, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, climate-smart agriculture, and market access).
• Promote adoption of good agricultural practices (GAPs) and technologies.

Engagement and Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as the SAYE project district focal person to engage, establish and maintain strong collaboration with local district leaders, Private Sector Actors, and other stakeholders to support the project implementation.
• Promote gender, social inclusion and safeguarding among participants and all stakeholders.
• Represent the SAYE project leadership in community events and partner meetings.

Access to Finance

• Support the formation and strengthening of Informal Saving and Lending Associations (ISLAs). 
• Build linkages between ISLA’s and SACCOs or MFIs to improve youth access to affordable finance to invest in their businesses and livelihoods development.
• Support youth in developing bankable business plans and accessing start-up resources.

Monitoring, Learning & Reporting

• Oversee contract management for the district front-line team - provide operational leadership, guidance, performance management and recommend terminations / renewals.
• Lead the planning, budgeting and implementation of the district activity budget and ensuring efficient utilization of resources.
• Conduct routine supportive field visits within the district and cluster when needed

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Food Security, Microfinance Enterprise Development or another related field.
• Three (3) years field and technical experience within the agribusiness development sector with either or a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development.
• Experience working with youth and young women groups or / together with   working knowledge of community level microfinance and agribusiness development.
• Knowledge of the local context in the cluster districts (e.g., Busoga sub-region).
• Should have valid Licence permit for motorcycle.

Application deadline: 14th July 2026, 5:00PM EAT

The Mastercard Foundation adheres to the highest standards of care related to its programs, those involved in carrying out its mission, and the millions of young people it supports in accessing dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of misconduct and takes seriously its responsibility to improve the safety and well-being of the young people who participate in its programs. This duty of care is shared by the Foundation’s partners. As such, during recruitment of staff for Foundation supported programs, all necessary mechanisms are put in place to ascertain that candidates under consideration share our commitment to safeguarding.