Background
CRS in Uganda is currently recruiting a Program Manager – Market and Value Chain Development to provide leadership and overall management of the upcoming Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) project on Inclusive development of sustainable farming systems in Lango and Busoga regions. The program will be built around the following major components: a. Farmer household and farming systems b. Sustainable land use, irrigation, and crop production c. Market and value chain development.

Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Market and value chain development component of the project ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the Country Program (CP) delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its Market and Value Chain programming. Kindly be aware that this position is contingent on proposal. Its availability is subject to CRS successfully obtaining funding from the donor.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:
•Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the Market and value chain development component throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
•Effectively manage talent for the Market and value chain development component and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
•Lead the development of program learning - identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in the area of the Market and value chain development component t and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
•Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP Agricultural sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP Agricultural and Markey Systems Development strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in Market and value chain development per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
•Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in Market and value chain development for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
•Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Market and value chain development and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
•Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

Basic Qualifications
•Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or in the field of Agriculture, or Market development required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
•Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of Market and value chain development.
•Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
•Strong technical knowledge of Value Chain Development– preferably in Uganda – is a must.

Preferred Qualifications
•Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
•Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
•Experience engaging with partner organizations, both local and international.
•MEAL skills and experience required.
•Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
•Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
•Prior experience in implementing Valeu Chains development related programing in Lango and Busoga region is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
•Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
•Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
•Good presentation and facilitation skills