Description

KEY PURPOSE OF DEPARTMENT 

Heifer International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. We work with farmers and their communities to identify opportunities that deliver living incomes, creating solutions to local challenges that are designed to build inclusive, resilient economies. With Increased productivity of livestock and crops, farmers provide for their families and improve the health of their communities.

 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. 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. The project goal is to improve the socio-economic well-being and resilience of young people in Busoga sub-region by 2029.

KEY PURPOSE OF JOB

The Cluster Coordinator for the Stimulating Agribusiness for Youth Employment (SAYE) Project will oversee the implementation of all project components at the cluster level. This includes engaging MSMEs and supporting the development of Agri-hubs. The coordinator will manage all aspects of the cluster’s operations, ensuring the efficient use of financial resources. You will also act as the primary point of contact within the cluster, promoting participation of youth, women and people living with disabilities whilst fostering collaboration among partners and government institutions.

 The role involves equipping project participants—such as self-help groups and Agri-hubs with the knowledge and skills needed to launch and manage successful agribusiness and non-agribusiness ventures. Further you will manage complex, multi-partner implementation across diverse geographic areas including Private Sector Actors (PSA’s) to enable input and output market linkages.  Reporting to the Partnership and Technical Lead and working closely with the Business Development, Value Chain, Gender and Youth specialists, the Cluster Coordinator will ensure the effective, innovative, results-driven operation of Agri-hubs.

 Additionally, the Coordinator will collaborate with cooperatives, Agri-hubs, and producer organizations within the SAYE Project to generate actionable data for informed decision-making. You will also coordinate and supervise the technical field staff operating within their cluster.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Coordination & Management (30%)       

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of SAYE project activities and ensuring timely implementation of project activities in within budget.
• Organise monthly, quarterly and annual budgeting sessions at cluster level and ensure alignment of project goals.
• Support district teams within the cluster in tracking activity budgets and ensuring accountability.
• Ensure cost-effective use of project resources and flag any variances or inefficiencies.
• Promote active youth, women and people living with disabilities’ participation across all project platforms and activities.
• Ensure youth, women and people living with disabilities input is reflected in project strategies and that feedback mechanisms are in place.
• Uphold and monitor safeguarding and inclusion standards throughout project implementation.

 Technical Oversight, Quality Assurance & Compliance (20%)

• Offer technical guidance to cluster teams, front-liners and partners in areas such as agribusiness, youth employment, financial access, PSA engagement and digital integration tools.
• Ensure that all project interventions adhere to technical standards and support the SAYE project's goals in youth agribusiness and employment.
• Identify and manage cluster level risks, issues, challenges, gaps and recommend timely corrective actions. Custodian of the cluster risk registers ensuring regular monitoring and updating.
• Ensure that teams and partners fully comply with all requirements, covering reporting, accountability and asset management whilst employing adaptive implementation strategies.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Reporting (20%)       

• Monitor progress against project targets and provide timely updates to regional and national teams.
• Contribute to learning and adaption at cluster level to inform innovations for project strategic alignment.
• Support the documentation of success stories, key learnings, and adaptive approaches based on field experiences.
• Promote the effective use of MEL tools (Indicator Reference Sheets) and platforms in managing Cluster activities.
• Collaborate with MEL officers to ensure high-quality data collection and analysis; compile and submit performance reports (monthly, quarterly, and ad-hoc); and contribute to reflective learning sessions.
• Stay informed on emerging trends and innovations within the Agribusiness sector to continuously enhance capacity-building initiatives, providing support and guidance to strengthen the capabilities of consortium partners.
• Continuous learning for individual growth and career progression.

 Team Leadership & Supervision (10%)

• Manage and support a multidisciplinary cluster team including business facilitators, MEL officers, and support teams.
• Offer line management and learning and development support to business facilitators, regularly reviewing performance and delivering ongoing coaching, mentoring, and team-building activities to drive high employee engagement.
• Promote Heifer values, shared ownership, and a positive working culture at the cluster level.

 Market Linkages and Value Chain Integration (10%)      

• Nurture and strengthen business relationships between Agri-hubs and partnerships with off-takers, input providers, financial service providers, government agencies and development partners to build profitable and sustainable markets.
• Scan the cluster agribusiness eco-system to identify potential partnership opportunities and contribute to business case development.
• Support the strengthening and operationalizing of the Agri-hub development processes within the cluster.
• Develop strong Agri-hub governance structures and systems, operationalize robust business plans, identify investment and business opportunities.

 Consortium & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Align partner interventions with the overall project objectives across the districts within the cluster.
• Act as the primary liaison between consortium partners, implementing organizations, and local stakeholders within the cluster.
• Organize and lead regular coordination and planning meetings among project staff and partners.
• Promote collaboration and ensure efficient resource use by minimizing overlap and maximizing value for money.
• Build strong working relationships with district authorities and technical departments.
• Ensure project activities are integrated with district development plans and local systems.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s degree (required), Master’s degree (preferred) in Agriculture, Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Animal Science, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Post Graduate qualifications in Project Planning and Management or PMP Certification a must.
• Proven 7–9 years of project coordination experience in multi-stakeholder development programs, ideally in youth employment, agribusiness, or livelihoods with a strong understanding of markets systems thinking or approaches.
• Experience in developing and nurturing private public partnerships at country and regional level in a fact paced project environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of Agribusiness market systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of youth engagement principles.
• Sound Knowledge of agrifood systems, digital platforms and inclusive finance.
• Sound Knowledge of Safeguarding and gender-sensitive programming.
• Demonstrate experience in project management including donor project budgets management for multidimensional projects.
• Knowledge of the local context in the cluster districts (e.g., Busoga sub-region)
• Experience in supervising teams and managing performance.
• Fluency in English and local languages (a plus)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15TH DECEMBER 2025 AT 5PM EAT