Careers at Agribusiness Initiative (aBi) Trust in Uganda

Job Title: SPS & QMS OFFICER

Agribusiness Initiative (aBi) Trust

Job Description

The Agribusiness Initiative (aBi) Trust is an institution set up by the governments ot Uganda and Denmark to support agribusiness initiatives in the country. In particular it is to support the private sector to increase their contribution to the agricultural sector by increasing productivity and competitiveness leading to poverty reduction through economic growth, wealth, and employment creation. The vision of aBi Trust is of “competitive private sector led agriculture in Uganda” with the mission to “promote private sector driven agribusiness development to enhance wealth creation in the country”. The aBi Trust achieves its mission and vision through interrelated sub­components. The sub components are: Value Chain Development leading to improved performance of value chain actors, including trade- related Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) leading to increased trade opportunities. Financial Services Development (FSD) leading to expansion of financial services by supporting agribusiness in order to increased availability and use of financial services. Cross-cutting Gender for Growth that fully integrates gender equality in each of the sub components and manages a fund piloting innovative gender equality approach in agriculture. aBi Trust therefore invites applications from suitable persons for the following positions;

SPS & QMS OFFICER (1)

The SPS and Quality Management Systems Officer will be responsible for issues relating to SPS and Quality Management Systems for agriculture and agro-processing. S/he will work to support both the SPS & QMS Advisor and the Chief Manager Value Chain Development (CMVC) and his/ her Team and partner institutions.

Key functions:

* The SPS and Quality Management Systems Officer will assist in all aspects of quality and SPS compliance in relation to agro-food trade and standards inclusive and not limited to:
* Providing technical assistance to SPS and QMS Advisor and all other intermediaries in priority value chains to address phytosanitary or food safety market requirements;
* Operationalise the implementation of quality and safety standards;
* Reviewing SPS/QMS development related Concepts and Proposals, conducting due diligence and prepare Project Summaries for short-listed proposals;
* Monitoring and strengthening the implementation of SPS issues within the Service Providers, particularly the private sector for the current generation of international agro-food standards;
* Enhancing the capacity of the private sector itself to comply with international production standards namely GLOBALG.A.P, GMP, GHP, GLP, environmental standards, carry out day to day project activities related to SPS and QMS within priority value chains; Supporting and monitoring the achievement of the small holder conformity to agro-food and environmental standards, especially working with farmers’ groups, SMEs in the areas of introducing SPS and QMS principles by ‘pilot’, capacity building S training, pre-certification, and traceability
* Monitoring the implementation of the post-harvest handling technologies identified in priority value chains (monitoring the procurement process of the identified equipment for value addition in each of the priority value chains);
* Supporting training and implementation of food safety management systems for various partners in the food processing sector including; food processing and exporting plants, organic farming, among others;
* Taking initiative on issues related to SPS and QMS and gathering the necessary literature and reports under SPS and QMS and liaise with on-going programmes;
* Developing work plans in accordance with goal and objectives of SPS & QMS set by the management.
* Conducting research on various stakeholders in the agriculture and food industry sector to generate information used in standards development;
* Maintaining of working relationships with aBi partners and development of new relationships, and networking with public sector institutions/programmes and development partners;
* Other assignments that may be assigned by the SPS/QMS Advisor, Chief Manager Value Chain Development.

Requirement:

Specific Qualifications

* The SPS and Quality Systems Officer should have relevant experience in the following specific technical areas: SPS/QMS/MRL/ GAP/PHH/GHP/GMP/HACCP;
* Solid experience in implementing SPS and QMS components of international projects in Africa; and,
* Experience with preparation and/ or implementation of development programmes funded by international donor organizations

Salary:     - USD/month
How to Apply

APPLICATION Interested persons who meet the above criteria should submit their application clearly indicating the position applied for together with an updated CV and at least three (3) suitable referees and telephone contacts to the Managing Director, aBi Trust, Plot 37 Nakasero Towers, P. 0. Box 29851 Kampala; or email less than 2MB to: vcd@abitrust.com. Closing date for receiving applications is 20th February 2012.

Employment Opportunities at CARE International Uganda

Job Title : Uganda Country Representative

CARE International

Job Description

The Fuel Efficient Stoves in East Africa project is a 2-year support package based on a grant from the Nordic Climate Facility for the benefit of the Coordinating/Managing Entity of a multi-country Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Programme of Activities (PoA) – Improved Cookstoves for East Africa Ltd – managed by the Uganda Carbon Bureau. The project aims to provide households in East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) with sustainable access to affordable and efficient cook stoves. Improving the affordability of these cook stoves will be achieved by providing stove suppliers with access to the CDM carbon market, and hence funds to initiate and implement improved cook stove activities. Specifically, the project will facilitate the establishment of a CDM PoA, and will support the strengthening of cook stove suppliers in the four countries. The project’s objective is to improve the livelihoods of poor households in East Africa by:

* Providing access to carbon finance for suppliers of fuel-efficient cook stoves.
* Transforming the region’s kitchens by the adoption of fuel-efficient stoves, instead of the current use of inefficient traditional cooking methods

The project also aims at reducing indoor air pollution, and household resources (time and cash) spent on wood fuels for cooking, while at the same time reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, and hence mitigating climate change. We are looking for a self-motivated and qualified East African professional to join the ICSEA team.

Job Title: ICSEA Stove Support Facility, Uganda Country Representative

Reports to: Project Manager

The overall purpose:  The role of Uganda Country Representative of the ICSEA Stove Support Facility is to publicise the benefits of joining the PoA to potential stove supplier organisations, and to support these applicants – businesses, manufacturers, importers, NGOs, women’s groups etc. Under the daily supervision and guidance of the Project Manager, based in the Uganda Carbon Bureau, the general functions and responsibilities of the job are related to supporting applicant stove supplier organisations so that they can participate in the ICSEA PoA.

Key responsibilities:

* First point of contact for stove suppliers & marketing partners and for the provision of information about the PoA’s operations. Identify and keep records of stove projects that are operational and planned in Uganda.
* Screening of projects prior to their inclusion in the PoA. Supervise and monitor each project’s implementation in accordance with ICSEA procedures. Monitor member projects’ stoves databases. Help ensure that an effective PoA monitoring and verification process takes place. Assist ICSEA Ltd with all reviews of the stove database, and assist with sampling exercises involving the database
* Liaise with accredited stove testing facilities, and maintain oversight of their initial rating tests of all stoves of projects applying for inclusion, and with subsequent performance testing.
* Assure that all projects’ contractual obligations are adhered to, and ensure that they are meeting their commitments on stove maintenance, communications to stove buyers about the legal transfer of carbon credits, revenue sharing, etc.
* Be accountable to ICSEA Ltd for project progress reports, and information on projects’ problems.
* Organise and attend local stakeholder consultations required by ICSEA Ltd
* Publicise the ICSEA PoA to the local business and NGO community using all available media to attract further members to the PoA. Explain ICSEA’s fair trade and open access values to local stakeholders.
* Propose, promote and facilitate mutually beneficial contacts and agreements between ICSEA and CU programs and partners as part of a mutual effort to promote the PoA.

Requirement:

Person specifications/qualifications:

* First degree in Environmental Management, Development Studies, Business Marketing or a relevant subject.
* A relevant postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
* Relevant working experience of at least 4 years in a reputable organization.
* Experience in project management with projects that have strong organizational and partnerships management.
* Good inter-personal skills, trainable and willing to build the capacity of partners
* Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills with the ability to influence key stakeholders.
*  Proven excellent program/project report writing skills.
* Computer literacy in MS word, Excel, as minimum standards, and able to use e-mail services.
* Good creative thinking, excellent innovative skills, strong analytical skills and respect for policies and procedures.
* Fluency in spoken and written English, and a working knowledge of Kiswahili.

Experience:     4

How to Apply

Application Procedure: Interested persons with the above requirements should submit typed applications together with a detailed CV giving day time telephone contacts, and the names and addresses of three work-related referees, as well as certified copies of all academic and professional certificates not later than February 17, 2011. Only successful candidates will be invited for interviews at short notice, applicants who do not receive any response within three weeks of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. Please mark your envelope – “ICSEA Stove Support Facility – Uganda Country Representative” Applications should be submitted to: Human Resource Officer, CARE International in Uganda, Plot 17, Mackinnon Road, Nakasero, P. 0. Box 7280, Kampala, or via email to recruit@co.care.org

Jobs at The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development

Job Title: Projects Accountant


Job Description

Introduction: The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received a Credit from IDA towards the cost of the Energy for Rural Transformation Phase II (ERTII) and the Electricity Sector Development Project (ESDP) and intends to use part of the proceeds of the Credit, towards payment for a Projects Accountant.

Background: The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received a Credit from the World Bank/IDA towards the cost of the Energy for Rural Transformation Phase II (ERTII). The Government has also applied for a credit towards the cost of the Energy Sector Development Project (ESDP). ERT II has three Components namely 1: Rural Energy Infrastructure, 2: ICT, Component and 3: Energy Development, Cross Sectoral Links, Impact Monitoring. ESDP also has three Components and these are A Construction of a 220kV Kawanda-Masaka Transmission Line, B – Technical Assistance to UETCL and C – Community Support Projects and Technical Assistance to MEMD.

The Ministry now wishes to hire a Projects Accountant to support implementation of the two projects ERT II and ESDP by providing Professional Accounting and Financial Management Services. The ultimate objective of the assignment is having a sound Financial Management System for successful implementation of the two projects.

Scope of Services:  The Project Accountant shall be responsible for Overall Financial Management of the two Projects.

* Ensuring that all accounting records and bank accounts are up-to-date using Excel Spreadsheets and computerized accounting system.
* Preparing monthly Bank reconciliation for all bank Accounts in addition to preparing monthly returns for onward transmission to the Treasurer Office of Accounts in compliance with Government accounting reporting requirements.
* Preparing Quarterly and Annual Financial Statements for parallel financing to the projects from other donors and counterparts funds as well as timely reporting to the Accounting Officer on material variances
* Ensuring compliance with Operating procedures of Government and the World Bank e.g. Procurement, Disbursements, Special Accounts, IFRs, Special Commitments etc Assisting the two Project Coordinators in monitoring performance against agreed Financial Performance Indicators.
* Coordinate Financial Management issues in the line Ministries under ERT II.
* Provide Back up support to line Ministries under ERT II

Requirement:

Required Qualification and Experience:

* At least an Honours Degree in Commerce, Finance or Business Administration majoring in Accounting or Financial Management
* Postgraduate Professional Qualifications in either ACCA or CPA.
* 3 years of practical working experience in Donor Funded Project financial reporting Systems.
* Experience in World Bank and GOU Financial Management and Accounting procedures shall be an added advantage
* Ability to analyze Financial and Accounting policies and measures put in place by Government of Uganda
* Able to prepare and monitor Financial Management Operations of the Project
* Must be computer literate and able to use spreadsheet computer packages like Excel Spreadsheets and computerized Accounting Packages.


How to apply:

Duration of the Assignment: Two year contract renewable upon successful performance.

The Ministry of Energy now invites eligible individuals to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested individuals must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services by submitting signed and dated letters of application and curriculum vitae (CV) with copies of relevant degrees and diplomas. The CV’s must indicate names, email and telephone numbers of three (3) referees.

The Projects Accountant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (current edition).

Applications must be delivered to the address below by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 14th February 2012.

How to Apply

Address for Submission: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Attn: Coordination Manager, Program Coordination Unit, P. O. Box 7270, Kampala, Uganda, Rooms C 305B, 3rd Floor, Amber House, Plot 29/33, Kampala Road,

Tel: 256-41-342 382 Fax: 256-41-349342. E-mail: buringuriza@energy.go.ug