Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda is seeking to fill the position of Programme Manager Agroecology & Sustainable Natural Resources Management (ASNRM) at the Country Secretariat Office in Kampala – Uganda.

Since 1995, PELUM Uganda has been sharing skills and knowledge about ecological Land use practices and techniques working with a broad network of likeminded organizations; undertaking research and demonstration projects, and advocating for policies that better support smallholder farmers with a vision of empowering communities in Uganda to sustainably utilize their natural resources.

As part of a strong regional network of over 220 civil Society organizations spread out in 14 countries in East, Central and Southern Africa.  PELUM Uganda works to improve the livelihoods of small holder farmers and the sustainability of farming communities by fostering ecological land use management.

Suitable Candidates who possess the credentials below are therefore encouraged to apply.

Relationships: 
Reports to : Head of Programmes

Responsible for: Programme Officer(s) & Technical Volunteers   

Other key relationships:

• Support All Programme Managers, Officers & Colleagues within PELUM Uganda
• External relations Beneficiaries/clients, Members, Civil Society/ Private Sector, Development Partners and Government.

Job purpose
This job exists in PELUM to provide effective and strategic leadership to PELUM Uganda’s Agroecology and Sustainable Natural Resource programme in line with PELUM’s strategy and policies to realise her goal.

Job summary
The job holder manages the Agroecology and Sustainable Natural Resource programmes by providing technical guidance. S/he is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective implementation of all the related programme activities and ASNRM program management cycle support. The position belongs to the ASNRM Programme.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Programme Planning, development and implementation

• Provide leadership to the development and implementation of projects in Agroecology and Sustainable Natural Resource Management including new programme concepts and ideas.
• To ensure that ASNRM programmes and projects are in alignment with the PELUM strategic objectives.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the annual and quarterly work plans and related reviews in the ASNRM programme.  
• Ensure preparation of periodic programme reports for decision making in line with the donor and Management requirements.
• Ensure programme deliverables meet quality standards and proactively seek input from relevant substantive internal and external experts.
• To work with other programme colleagues, sharing information and providing advice and support. 
• Convene regular programme planning and review meetings as appropriate.
• Identify thematic advocacy issues and pursue them together with the advocacy department.
• Review Activity Plans and budgets for the officers and forward them to HoP for approval.

2. Member’s Capacity Building

• Oversee and participate in capacity building activities (trainings, learning visits, technical backstopping and mentorships) for member organisations and other partners in the area of Agroecology and Natural Resource Management.
• Develop the training content/ agenda for the capacity building activities including concept note development. 
• Take lead in identifying and procuring potential resource persons to support facilitation of capacity building activities under the ASNRM programme.

3. Resource Mobilisation and Grant Management

• Spearhead the technical aspects of the project proposal development process for the ASNRM programme.
• Facilitate donor visits and assessments as necessary.
• Ensure that resources under his/her care are properly deployed and utilised.
• Support M&E Officer in preparing narrative donor reports. 
• Operationalize the development of ELUM centre. 
• Participate in donor meetings where need arises.

4. Project Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation 

• Conduct project inceptions to ensure good understanding of new projects by the team and other stakeholders. 
• Periodically share relevant project information with the HoP and officers.
• Prepare periodic reports for the ASNRM programme as may be required and share with the HoP.
• Documentation and Research
• Coordinate the technical content development for publication within the ASNRM programme.
• Spearhead development and execution of research agenda for the ASNRM programme.
• Establish and maintain collaborations with research institutions.

5. Model Development and Implementation 

• Identify and oversee the application of ASNRM models (including initial capacity building and customization of models/ methodologies).
• Periodically review and improve on the models to stay relevant to the emerging trends and lessons.
• Provide technical support to organisations applying the models within their work with communities.
• Support and participate in operationalising the models in the development of the ELUM Centre

6. Representation, Networking and Partnerships

• Participate in the organisation’s other key institutional events such as the country working group, related events and fora.
• Review partners mapping and profiling to establish relevant partnerships for the SFS programme. 
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships relevant for the SFS programme.
• Regular communication and information sharing with strategic partners in liaison with the HoP.
• Coordinate national, regional and sub-regional level thematic initiatives.

7. Human Resource Management

• Ensure HR resources are efficiently deployed in ASNRM department.
• Identify and address the human resource capacity needs in the ASNRM programme. 
• Maintain good communication, coordination and leadership of the ASNRM programme team.
• Provide support supervision, set targets and regularly appraise and give feedback to ASNRM programme staff. 
• Provide technical guidance and methodological support to all programme staff.
• Participate in the selection, recruitment and induction of ASNRM Programme staff and volunteers as required.
• Ensure regular ASNRM programme meetings and development and approval of activities schedules.

In addition to individual respective tasks, all PELUM employees are expected:

To adhere to our organizational values and to actively promote their application amongst colleagues.

• To undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative fashion.
• Participate in relevant organisational, meetings and fora.
• Participate in raising resources for building PELUM’s reserves.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in a gender sensitive manner.
• Adhere to PELUM's policies, procedures, and performance expectations in all functions.
• To identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization (whether directly linked to one’s job or not).
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the supervisor.

The attainment of the above will be reflected in the employee’s appraisal, as well as the achievement of outputs, as described in above key responsibilities.

Person Specifications:

Education

Minimum of a Masters or Post graduate in Agro Ecology or any relevant field is mandatory and Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Natural Resource Management, Agro-Ecology, Environmental management or in any related field. Training in Project Planning and Management is a must.

Technical Skills                                                           

Ability to mobilize and utilize resources. Knowledge in Sustainable Agriculture. Knowledge of Agro ecology. Knowledge of Project planning and implementation, research and documentation. Training/facilitating skills. 

Industry experience

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of sustainable Agriculture in NGO related setting, managing projects. Good knowledge and understanding of the agricultural sector. Knowledge of advocacy. Experience of managing grants. Experience in working with an international/interdisciplinary team. 

Management skills

Strong experience in leading and managing projects. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various internal and external stakeholders. Team player with positive attitude, flexible mind, and good coaching and motivational skills. Ability to inspire confidence and create trust.

Personal qualities

Proactive. Continuous improvement mindset. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Open to change and ability to work in a growing and complex organizational structure. Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to PELUM's mandate. Paying attention to details. Able to multitask. Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively and delegate.

Communication and Interpersonal skills  

Ability to understand new issues quickly and make wise decisions. Strong coaching skills and ability to provide effective feedback. Comfortable working in multi-cultural settings. Strong Writing skills. Effective interpersonal skills to work with colleagues, stakeholders and donors. Proven negotiation skills.

• Provide leadership to the development and implementation of projects in Agroecology and Sustainable Natural Resource Management including new programme concepts and ideas.
• Ensure that ASNRM programmes and projects are in alignment with the PELUM strategic objectives.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the annual and quarterly work plans and related reviews in the ASNRM programme.
• Ensure preparation of periodic programme reports for decision making in line with the donor and Management requirements.
• Ensure programme deliverables meet quality standards and proactively seek input from relevant substantive internal and external experts.
• Work with other programme colleagues, sharing information and providing advice and support.
• Convene regular programme planning and review meetings as appropriate.
• Identify thematic advocacy issues and pursue them together with the advocacy department.
• Review Activity Plans and budgets for the officers and forward them to HoP for approval.
• Oversee and participate in capacity building activities (trainings, learning visits, technical backstopping and mentorships) for member organisations and other partners in the area of Agroecology and Natural Resource Management.
• Develop the training content/ agenda for the capacity building activities including concept note development.
• Take lead in identifying and procuring potential resource persons to support facilitation of capacity building activities under the ASNRM programme.
• Spearhead the technical aspects of the project proposal development process for the ASNRM programme.
• Facilitate donor visits and assessments as necessary.
• Ensure that resources under his/her care are properly deployed and utilised.
• Support M&E Officer in preparing narrative donor reports.
• Operationalize the development of ELUM centre.
• Participate in donor meetings where need arises.
• Conduct project inceptions to ensure good understanding of new projects by the team and other stakeholders.
• Periodically share relevant project information with the HoP and officers.
• Prepare periodic reports for the ASNRM programme as may be required and share with the HoP.
• Coordinate the technical content development for publication within the ASNRM programme.
• Spearhead development and execution of research agenda for the ASNRM programme.
• Establish and maintain collaborations with research institutions.
• Identify and oversee the application of ASNRM models (including initial capacity building and customization of models/ methodologies).
• Periodically review and improve on the models to stay relevant to the emerging trends and lessons.
• Provide technical support to organisations applying the models within their work with communities.
• Support and participate in operationalising the models in the development of the ELUM Centre.
• Participate in the organisation’s other key institutional events such as the country working group, related events and fora.
• Review partners mapping and profiling to establish relevant partnerships for the SFS programme.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships relevant for the SFS programme.
• Regular communication and information sharing with strategic partners in liaison with the HoP.
• Coordinate national, regional and sub-regional level thematic initiatives.
• Ensure HR resources are efficiently deployed in ASNRM department.
• Identify and address the human resource capacity needs in the ASNRM programme.
• Maintain good communication, coordination and leadership of the ASNRM programme team.
• Provide support supervision, set targets and regularly appraise and give feedback to ASNRM programme staff.
• Provide technical guidance and methodological support to all programme staff.
• Participate in the selection, recruitment and induction of ASNRM Programme staff and volunteers as required.
• Ensure regular ASNRM programme meetings and development and approval of activities schedules.
• Adhere to organizational values and actively promote their application amongst colleagues.
• Undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative fashion.
• Participate in relevant organizational meetings and fora.
• Participate in raising resources for building PELUM’s reserves.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in a gender sensitive manner.
• Adhere to PELUM's policies, procedures, and performance expectations in all functions.
• Identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization.
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the supervisor.

• Ability to mobilize and utilize resources
• Knowledge in Sustainable Agriculture
• Knowledge of Agro ecology
• Knowledge of Project planning and implementation
• Research and documentation skills
• Training/facilitating skills
• Strong experience in leading and managing projects
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various internal and external stakeholders
• Team player with positive attitude
• Flexible mind
• Good coaching and motivational skills
• Ability to inspire confidence and create trust
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Open to change
• Ability to work in a growing and complex organizational structure
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to PELUM's mandate
• Paying attention to details
• Able to multitask
• Ability to work under pressure
• Plan personal workload effectively
• Delegate
• Ability to understand new issues quickly and make wise decisions
• Strong coaching skills
• Ability to provide effective feedback
• Comfortable working in multi-cultural settings
• Strong Writing skills
• Effective interpersonal skills to work with colleagues, stakeholders and donors
• Proven negotiation skills

• Masters or Post graduate in Agro Ecology or any relevant field is mandatory
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Natural Resource Management, Agro-Ecology, Environmental management or in any related field
• Training in Project Planning and Management is a must
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of sustainable Agriculture in NGO related setting, managing projects
• Good knowledge and understanding of the agricultural sector
• Knowledge of advocacy
• Experience of managing grants
• Experience in working with an international/interdisciplinary team