Technical Manager – Livelihoods/Agriculture Job from the University Research Co.

Job title: Technical Manager
About the organization : University Research Co., LLC (URC) URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the
United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).

Division & Project Overview
The International Development Group is one of three international program divisions at URC/CHS and manages health field programs funded by USAID and CDC in Africa and the Latin America region with key focus areas improving health systems performance, including management support systems, and quality of care in maternal and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, TB and nutrition.

RECO Industries is implementing the USAID funded Production for Improved Nutrition (PIN) project that seeks to reduce the burden of under nutrition in Uganda.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:
 The Technical Manager – Livelihoods/Agriculture will take the lead in implementing livelihoods and agricultural components of the project. The Livelihoods/Agriculture component (Intermediate Result 3) is designed to increase household incomes from small scale farmers and increase their productivity by linking them to commercial service delivery platforms that increase their knowledge and yields. Technical Manager (TM) will report to the Chief of Party and will be the principal technical person for activities and interventions related to addressing increasing agricultural production of nutrient dense food crops and household incomes of local farmers. The Technical Manager will supervise the Supply Chain Management Specialist and Agricultural Specialist. As the principal technical advisor for these interventions, the Livelihoods/Agriculture TM will facilitate the achievement of the anticipated program results. He or she will participate in analyses of needs at the community level, assess resources available for addressing the needs of local farmers of vulnerable households, and suggest approaches for filling gaps in programming. The TM will consider innovative approaches, as appropriate, and recommend how they may be implemented and their impact addressed. Where feasible, this individual will promote integration of program components, as designated by USAID, and reinforce them through relevant approaches. The TM will also facilitate on-going oversight and monitoring of implementation. Key Responsibilities: § Support development of the project annual work plan by developing interventions and activities relating to increased food production and household incomes; § Participate in the baseline assessment; § Strengthen and create producer farmer organizations; § Make recommendations and consider innovative approaches, as appropriate, and determine how they may be implemented and their impact assessed; § Identify capacity needs for farmer groups and develop appropriate training programs; § Coordinate training of farmers groups and periodic support supervision visits; § Facilitate on-going tracking of indicators reported under Intermediate Result (IR) 3; § Monitor activity implementation and provide written and verbal reports on progress as required; § Contribute to development, collection and use of public relations materials including notes from the field, photos, and other information as needed;

Minimum Qualifications: Required Experience & Qualifications
§ At least a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience § At least five (5) years of significant professional experience in implementing and managing agriculture and livelihood development programs in Uganda as well as development activities at the community and household levels § Technical expertise pertinent to agriculture and livelihood development programs § Experience in capacity building and transfer or skills is also essential § Familiarity with and commitment to addressing gender equality in agriculture is required § Excellent administrative and organizational management skills § Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills in English § Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities § Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment § Ability to work with all levels of national and international staff, as well as clients § Advanced proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
 
How to apply for the Job
For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at www.urc-chs.com/careers.
Please cut and paste your cover letter and upload your CV where indicated. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.
Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest.
URC is an E-Verify Employer
URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We value and seek diversity in our workforce.
 
Summary of the job
Job ID: #620464
Country: Uganda
City: Kampala
Organisation:  University Research Co.
Theme:  Agriculture
Job years of experience: 5-10 years
Job type:  Job
Application closing date: 02 Feb 2014
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