Background

Warrior Squad Foundation (WSF) is a non-profit making Non-Governmental Organization registered in Uganda (Reg. INDR93422994NB), with the overall goal of contributing to the social, economic, and political transformation of pastoral communities through working with them to find lifelong answers to the problems they face. WSF envisions a peaceful and just world free from poverty and seeks to empower the local marginalized and vulnerable persons to improve their well-being in a holistic, sustainable, peaceful, and equitable manner through an integrated community-based approach. WSF’s intended impact will be achieved through our main Programme areas, which include: Governance, Peacebuilding and Security; Food and Nutritional Security, Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Governance; Inclusive Quality Lifelong Learning, and Health Security.

In everything we do, our core values (that include Respect for Humanity, Transparency & Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration, Excellence, and Innovation) guide us in our day-to-day work and relationships with others. We do our business in an optimal and credible way, and most of all in ensuring that there is dignity and a human face in all actions. We are responsible in the way we utilize and account for the resources under our care, with a track record and act with the highest level of transparency. Integrity and trust underpin everything we are and everything we do in our relationships with the people we serve and colleagues. Our best work comes through a collaborative approach, leveraging the experience, expertise, and creativity of our partners. We are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards in designing and delivering services to the poor and vulnerable people we serve. At WSF, we are committed to a culture of innovation to deliver the highest-quality service, advice, and products to our clients.

KAREP Project

WSF with funding support from OXFAM Novib is implementing a 3-year “Karamoja Agro-Pastoral Resilience and Empowerment (KAREP)” project in Kotido District. The goal of the project is “to enhance the climate resilience, food and nutrition security, and economic empowerment of women and youth in Karamoja through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable market, and capacity building”. The project is supported by four Specific Objectives: 1) To increase food security for small holder farmers, especially women and youth; 2) To increase income security for small holder farmers; 3) To enhance the capacity of small holder farmers to adapt to climate change impact through adaptive technologies; 4) To increase participation of women in decision making processes through policy advocacy and influencing. The project is being implemented mainly in the two target sub-counties of Kachieri/Kapeta and Panyangara in Kotido District, in the Karamoja Sub-region of Uganda.

Responsibilities or duties

• Participate in the joint development of the selection criteria for target beneficiaries under the project.
• Set targets for the number of beneficiaries engaged in APFFS activities and track their participation rates.
• Measure the effectiveness of training programmes by assessing improvements in knowledge, skills and practices among participants.
• Evaluate the success of market linkages by monitoring the number of livelihood opportunities created for the target groups.
• Assess the integration of resilient, gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive livelihood interventions into Local Government plans and budgets.
• Schedule regular coordination meetings with stakeholders, including government departments, civil society organisations and community leaders, to align efforts and share best practices.
• Facilitate joint planning sessions to coordinate APFFS activities and training sessions with other project components.
• Collaborate with other departments within WSF, such as Monitoring and Evaluation and Communications, to ensure synergy and coherence in project implementation and reporting.
• Represent WSF and its interests in district and sub-county coordination platforms relevant to the project.
• Report directly to the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Lead for day-to-day guidance and oversight.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate activity, monthly and quarterly project reports, and contribute to donor reports.
• Collaborate closely with the Programs Department for coordination of activities and reporting on progress.
• Supervise, guide and mentor the Project Volunteer – KAREP in the delivery of field activities.
• Communicate regularly with other relevant supervisors or team leads as per the organisational reporting hierarchy.
• Participate in workshops and seminars on project management, livelihoods programming and conflict sensitivity.
• Make use of online courses and resources for continuous learning in relevant areas such as monitoring and evaluation, entrepreneurship and intercultural communication.
• Take part in mentoring programmes and peer-to-peer learning opportunities within WSF and external networks.
• Adhere to the WSF Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policies at all times.
• Support the establishment and management of farmer-managed Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) demonstration block farms.
• Strengthen the pre-season dissemination of agro-weather advisories to farmer groups and community members.
• Train and support 10 Agro-Pastoral Farmer Field School (APFFS) groups on post-harvest handling to reduce food loss.
• Assess degraded and fragile areas, and support the establishment of 10 community tree nurseries.
• Mobilise and establish Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and promote the SWAP approach to finance agricultural inputs for both the APFFS and poultry groups.
• Train and support the 10 APFFS VSLA groups on the SWAP approach and VSLA methodology, and equip them with SLA kits.
• Map, assess and facilitate the rehabilitation of existing livestock infrastructure (dips).
• Identify and train women leaders (Trainers of Trainers) within the 10 APFFS groups on women’s leadership, and support their participation in Local Government budgeting and planning processes.

Qualifications or requirements

WSF is seeking a qualified, experienced and motivated professional to fill the position of Project Officer – KAREP.

Experience needed

The Project Officer – KAREP will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Karamoja Agro-Pastoral Resilience and Empowerment (KAREP) project activities, contributing to the overall goal of “Resilient and sustainable livelihoods for 300 smallholder farmers (60% women) from 150 households” in the target sub-counties of Kachieri/Kapeta and Panyangara in Kotido District. The Project Officer will support smallholder farmers to achieve food and income security, adapt to climate change impacts, and increase their participation in decision-making processes.

Any other provided details

Department: Programs

Reports to: Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Lead, with overall oversight from the Executive Director

Supervises: Project Volunteer – KAREP

Duration: Twelve (12) months, renewable within the project period (2025 to 2028) subject to performance and availability of funding.

Nature of Engagement: Full-time, fixed-term staff contract.

Vacancy: 01

Purpose of the position:

The Project Officer – KAREP will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Karamoja Agro-Pastoral Resilience and Empowerment (KAREP) project activities, contributing to the overall goal of “Resilient and sustainable livelihoods for 300 smallholder farmers (60% women) from 150 households” in the target sub-counties of Kachieri/Kapeta and Panyangara in Kotido District. The Project Officer will support smallholder farmers to achieve food and income security, adapt to climate change impacts, and increase their participation in decision-making processes.

• Participate in the joint development of the selection criteria for target beneficiaries under the project.
• Set targets for the number of beneficiaries engaged in APFFS activities and track their participation rates.
• Measure the effectiveness of training programmes by assessing improvements in knowledge, skills and practices among participants.
• Evaluate the success of market linkages by monitoring the number of livelihood opportunities created for the target groups.
• Assess the integration of resilient, gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive livelihood interventions into Local Government plans and budgets.
• Schedule regular coordination meetings with stakeholders, including government departments, civil society organisations and community leaders, to align efforts and share best practices.
• Facilitate joint planning sessions to coordinate APFFS activities and training sessions with other project components.
• Collaborate with other departments within WSF, such as Monitoring and Evaluation and Communications, to ensure synergy and coherence in project implementation and reporting.
• Represent WSF and its interests in district and sub-county coordination platforms relevant to the project.
• Report directly to the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Lead for day-to-day guidance and oversight.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate activity, monthly and quarterly project reports, and contribute to donor reports.
• Collaborate closely with the Programs Department for coordination of activities and reporting on progress.
• Supervise, guide and mentor the Project Volunteer – KAREP in the delivery of field activities.
• Communicate regularly with other relevant supervisors or team leads as per the organisational reporting hierarchy.
• Participate in workshops and seminars on project management, livelihoods programming and conflict sensitivity.
• Make use of online courses and resources for continuous learning in relevant areas such as monitoring and evaluation, entrepreneurship and intercultural communication.
• Take part in mentoring programmes and peer-to-peer learning opportunities within WSF and external networks.
• Adhere to the WSF Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policies at all times.
• Support the establishment and management of farmer-managed Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) demonstration block farms.
• Strengthen the pre-season dissemination of agro-weather advisories to farmer groups and community members.
• Train and support 10 Agro-Pastoral Farmer Field School (APFFS) groups on post-harvest handling to reduce food loss.
• Assess degraded and fragile areas, and support the establishment of 10 community tree nurseries.
• Mobilise and establish Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and promote the SWAP approach to finance agricultural inputs for both the APFFS and poultry groups.
• Train and support the 10 APFFS VSLA groups on the SWAP approach and VSLA methodology, and equip them with SLA kits.
• Map, assess and facilitate the rehabilitation of existing livestock infrastructure (dips).
• Identify and train women leaders (Trainers of Trainers) within the 10 APFFS groups on women’s leadership, and support their participation in Local Government budgeting and planning processes.

• Project Management
• Livelihoods Programming
• Conflict Sensitivity
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Entrepreneurship
• Intercultural Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Reporting
• Mentoring
• Team Leadership

• Qualified, experienced and motivated professional