Local Seed Business Expert/Trainer - BRIGHT Project – Market & value chain component

Current Job Openings --> Full Time --> Full Time Africa

Bugolobi, Kampala

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ID: 20121450

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Full-Time/Regular

About IFDC

IFDC is a public international organization active in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency. These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the BRIGHT project regional field officers, the consultancy seeks to support Local Seed Businesses in multiplication of two classes of seed; quality declared and certified seed. The expert will focus on production of quality declared seed by LSBs and engaging the licensed seed companies to work with LSB in production of certified seed in subsequent seasons.

Training LSBs in seed production

Train the LSBs in resource mobilization for investment in the seed business;

Train farmers groups in good agronomic practices for optimum yields;

Train the farmer groups in quality assurance both in the garden and after harvesting;

Organize field visits by the district Agriculture officers to inspect the crop in gardens;

Train the farmer groups in record keeping and negotiation skills.

Link the LSBs to Licensed Companies

Identify and Map licensed seed companies that require bean seed out growers;

Organize business linkages and contract negotiations: conduct field visits for licensed companies to assess the LSBs on how they are complying with quality standards and their ability to become out growers based on set criteria/standards;

Facilitate negotiation and signing of memorandum of understanding; arrange meetings between LSB representatives and licensed companies to negotiate favorable pricing and payment terms.

Deliverables

By the end of the contract, the consultant will be required to deliver the following:

16 LSB trained in bean seed multiplication;

At least 10 LSBs selected as seed out growers for licensed companies;

14.4MT of beans produced;

At least 2 Contracts signed between LSBs and licensed companies;

Mid assignment report at the end of May 2025;

Final assignment report at the end of July 2025.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in Local seed businesses;

Demonstrated experience of supporting smallholder farmers in seed multiplication;

Experience working with/collaborating with Local government, NARO, MAAIF and Licensed Seed companies.

Duration

The contract assignment is anticipated to be effective from 7th April 2025, through to 31st July 2025 unless amended in writing and agreed upon by both Parties

Reporting and Work Relationships

The consultant will report to the Project Manager and work closely with the Market and Value chain development Lead and Field officers in the regions.

Location

This is a national recruitment with a duty station at the IFDC office based in regions supporting the LSBs in Uganda (Rwenzori, Elgon and Kigezi).

Mode of application

Technical Proposal: A detailed proposal outlining the firm’s approach to the project, including step-by-step workflow, project timeline, and any technical specifications;

Financial Proposal: Clearly indicating the desired Daily professional fee;

References: At least two references from previous clients for similar projects;

Key Personnel CVs: CVs of key staff who will be involved in the project, highlighting their qualifications and experience.

About Program/Project

Building Resilience and Inclusive Growth of Highland farming systems for rural Transformation (BRIGHT) is a four-year project, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Dutch development policy. The project is being implemented by IFDC, in collaboration with Agriterra, the Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), district local governments, and private sector actors.

The vision of the BRIGHT project is to promote inclusive economic growth and rural transformation through equitable integration into value chains. BRIGHT aims to build the resilience of 106,560 highland farm households in Kigezi, Mt. Elgon, and Rwenzori regions by supporting Uganda to recover from external shocks in an ever-changing context through absorption, adaptation, and transformation. In so doing, the project will improve the food and nutrition security and incomes of farmers, transition subsistence-oriented farm households to more of a market orientation by supporting them in integrated farm planning and inclusive decision-making, introducing appropriate climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies to strengthen local farming systems, ensuring natural resource conservation, and developing strategic value chains

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