A horticulturalist and Rural development practitioner

I am a self and results-driven individual with a passion for making a difference. I have 13 years’ experience in Local Agricultural Value Chain development, Agribusiness and promotion of high value crops, Project coordination and implementation of Food Security and livelihoods (FSL) related projects in Northern Uganda. Experience in a project budget tracking and accountability, understanding project monitoring, learning and evaluation methodologies, and ability to coordinate teams and work independently in a cultural diverse environment. I am a systematic, highly organized, trustworthy and deadline-driven team player with good leadership abilities and excellent/effective communication skills. My areas of expertise include:

  • Private sector engagement and development.
  • Gender diversity and social inclusion integration in livelihood projects e.g Gender inclusive and green employment opportunity identification and market scan
  • Business Grants Management for SMEs (Challenge Fund programming) for job creation
  • Financial inclusion programming through VSLAs
  • Hand on experience in use and application of MIS SAVIX and DREAMSAVE software applications to track the performance of VSLA programs
  • Income Generating Activity (IGA) programming for
  • Monitoring and Evaluation.
  • Computer literacy (MS packages).
  • Leadership skill.
  • Capacity building of Agriculture extension staff training and team leadership ( through training and mentoring of subordinates/colleagues)
  • Community rural development
  • Project management
  • Hand on experience on Rapid Food security and Livelihoods Assessments (RFSLA), Holistic Community Assessments (HCA) in both refugees and host communities to inform new project proposal

 

 

  • Understanding and application of Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) as ab bench mark for programming for partner organization in refugee operations

 

Last Resume Update February 24, 2023
Address Arua, Uganda
E-mail okeliazer@yahoo.com
Phone Number 0787078819

Experience

ZOA Uganda
Project Coordinator-SUPREME
Nov 2021 - Current

ZOA Uganda. ZOA in Consortium with World vision Uganda and RICE West Nile, Is implementing Strengthening, Protection and Economic Empowerment (SUPREME) in Uganda - project, Supported by European Union is building capacities of small-holder farmers in sustainable agricultural production through Enabling Rural Innovation (ERI) methodology and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) approaches

Job title: Project Coordinator - SUPREME (1 position) for West Nile – (FULL TIME)

Job Purpose: The Project Coordinator, with support from the Project or Programme Manager, is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing the activities of the specific ZOA project(s) assigned to him/her.
Project specific
- The Project Coordinator takes lead in identifying, coordinating and supporting linkages between Savings and Development Clusters (SDCs) and the market; in addition to coaching SDCs in setting up viable businesses. Coordinate trainings on different Agricultural Development Approaches including Enabling Rural Innovation (ERI) Farmer Managed Natural Re-generations (FMNR), VSLA, Financial literacy and Local Capacity for Peace (LCP), Child & Adult Safeguarding

Key Result Areas: Duties and Responsibilities
General
- Implements project activities in relation to the project proposal to achieve optimal project outputs and outcomes in line with ZOA/donor procedures and targets;
- Supports Project field team members (Senior Project Officers) and possible community volunteers/Village Agents in day to day implementation (8 Project officers, 48 Community Based Facilitators)
- Strengthens the culture of innovativeness among the field staff;
- Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor in line with the project.
Reporting
- Provide timely and accurate written monthly reports;
- Identify, document lessons learned and best practices;
- Prepare and submit well written success stories;
- Contribute to annual reports and implementation plans;
- Organize efficient and effective monitoring and data recording systems of activities in the project;
- Provide verbal and written reports to ZOA management when required;
- Ensure timely data collection and entering in to the data base for easy retrieval.
Representation and coordination
- Actively participate in the required and relevant technical working groups;
- Participate in relevant coordination meetings concerning the project.
Human Resource Management
- Ensure the staff under supervision (directly: 6 Project Officers- Agronomy, 2 Project Officers- VSLA. Indirectly: 48 Community Based Facilitators) have weekly and monthly targets;
- Conduct weekly or monthly meeting to achieve targets;
- Conduct staff appraisal/evaluation as per ZOA's policy;
- Provide technical support through coaching and mentor-ship of staff for quality implementation of project activities.
Procurement and finance
- Initiate timely purchase requisition of project goods/services;
- Ensure expenses are in line with approved budget;
- Provide appropriate codes for expenses

Key Achievements

 Supported 333 group business with Block Grants and 254 best individual business plans with Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) towards creation of new and support to vibrant existing business with aim of creation of employment for refugees/host communities
 Coordinated SMEs (beneficiaries of Challenge Fund) at set up of businesses in the two districts after been selected by SNV (consortium member)
 Strengthened 333 VSLA groups in the two districts of Terego and Madi-Okollo
 Set up 170 FMNR sites in the two districts of operation
 Supported farmer groups to carry Market Assessment & Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to select profitable crops for commercial production
 Developed monitoring tools for the established business
 Linked the established businesses to value chain actors (Local government, private sector, potential market)
 A member of Technical Advisory Team (TAT) for the consortium
 Documented success stories & lessons Learnt
 A key contact for external coordination with local government, OPM, UNHCR, other implementing partners

Community Road Empowerment -CORE-Uganda
Livelihood Officer
Dec 2020 - Oct 2021

CORE is a Japanese international Organization that operates in Uganda, in its project titled, Fostering Humanitarian-Development Nexus for Resilience among Refugees and Host Communities in Northern Uganda. The project locations are in the refugee and host communities of Lamwo, Adjumani and Obongi Districts in Northern Uganda which is supported by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) aimed at Expanding gender responsive livelihood opportunities and strengthen capacity of refugees and host communities to sustainably manage environmental resources. I have worked closely with Project Manager, M&E Officer, Environment Officer and Gender Officer in the team besides the team from UNDP

Job title: Livelihood Officer (consultancy contract)
Job Purpose: The purpose of this position is to facilitate planning, organizing and management of VSLA and Income Generating Activities under the UNDP funded project
December 2020 to November 2022 Key Result Areas: Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide overall technical leadership in developing and monitoring the implementation of the project’s livelihood strategy and constantly push to maximize both value for livelihood activities as well as innovation of new strategies
• Manage livelihoods project budget and ensures expenses are incurred in line with approved budget
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with Local Government officials, line departments, Refugee leaders, OPM, UNHCR and other partners implementing livelihoods
• Provide leadership in the support of creation of linkages, setting up IGAs, alternative livelihood options, business owners and financial skill development and expansion of good practices amongst the beneficiaries.
• Monitor livelihoods program implementation and identify deviation from approved project plans and implement corrective measures when necessary to ensure that the project objectives are met.
• Lead the process of reporting on the project progress for livelihoods intervention on a periodical basis.
• Provide leadership support to livelihood groups in the process of developing viable business, Savings, and expense plans with heavy focus on integration of livelihoods activities in local markets, both refugees and host communities and where relevant regional markets
• Lead the development and implementation of livelihoods assessments, rapid surveys and provide insight on opportunities for livelihoods promotion which reflect local capacities, resources, and aspirations of beneficiaries.
• Train, Community Based Facilitators, Community Livelihood groups (CLGs) and other small market operators along the value chain in VSLA.
• Seek new and strengthen existing partnerships including with the private sector, development actors, government institutions and specialized agencies to advance economic inclusion of refugees and host communities
• Together with MEAL team, undertook Market assessment to inform the selection of viable Income Generating Activities (IGAs) by the project beneficiaries
• Take lead in development and periodic update of the Livelihood related activities in line with UNDP policies, strategies, and procedure

Key Achievements

 Formed and strengthened 600 VSLA groups in the three districts of Lamwo, Adjumani and Obongi
 Carried Market Assessment & Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and guided the beneficiaries in business start up as per the findings
 Developed 1,000 green businesses both at group and individual levels (built business capacity skills,business planning and management, vetting business plans, supported with start up-grants, monitored)
 Linked the established businesses to value chain actors (Local government, private sector, potential market)
 Played a key role as a member of Technical Advisory Team (TAT) that consisted of UNDP, Japanese Embassy (JSB unit), District commercial officers
 Chaired panelist that consists of ( District commercial officers, OPM livelihood focal persons, UNHCR, livelihood working group representative, Community Development officers, Production officers, Veterinary officers, District Entomologists) in vetting process of the business plans for Grant support
 Developed necessary tools for vetting, business development and management tracking for the beneficiaries
 Documented success stories & lessons Learnt
 A key contact for external coordination with local government, OPM, UNHCR, other implementing partners

World Vision Uganda
Livelihood Officer
Aug 2018 - Dec 2019

Project Name: Refugee Food Assistance and Resilience Project (REFARP)
Job summary and Achievements made while at World vision Uganda:
Project implementation and reporting
• I took a lead in Resilience and Livelihood planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of progress in Kyangwali settlement.
• Mobilized and facilitated the engagements of stakeholders during planning and development meetings, workshops and other fora like TPC (Technical Planning Committee) meetings.
• Identified local level partners and support/ facilitate the partners in the implementation of planned activities.
• Vetted business plans and select best and promising enterprises.
• Formed 150 VSLA groups and established saving group Management Information System (MIS) to monitor the progress of the groups
• Linked VSLA groups to financial institutions including Vision fund
• Orient the VSLA groups towards IGAs
• Facilitated adoption of best practice/approaches/models in the course of the implementation of the project
• Ensured that business processes, standards and guidelines related to Livelihood & resilience initiatives are effectively applied in project implementation.
Community engagement and advocacy
• Coordinated partners in implementation of agreed action plans such as action points that came out of the Livelihood technical working group meetings.
• Ensured Integration of Resilience and Livelihood activities with other ongoing programme initiatives including that of World Vision and governments. World vision’s food assistance program by introducing nutrition component at FDPs and integrating Saving groups into other government programs like DRDIP, Youth livelihoods Program, Women entrepreneurship program.
• Established partnership with private and public BTVET in South Western Uganda, through capacity assessments and MoU signings
• Supported targeted youth to identify priority vocational training courses, through preliminary market assessments and career guidance
• Provided apprenticeship/internship opportunities for trainees
• Monthly monitoring of trainees to measure progress in training
• Paired youth with local business people for mentor-ship and support
• Supported youths to develop business plans, that was done through organising soft skills trainings on business planning and management, record keeping etc
• Engaged with key internal and external stakeholders, including other WVU entities (Food Assistance, P&C) as well as Support Office, Refugees, Community, Government, Private sector, church and other civil society representatives in order to maximize the impact of interventions.
• Ensured Integration & monitoring of cross cutting themes into the project for example gender mainstreaming, environmental conservation, advocacy on mind set change among others.

Documentation, Reporting and knowledge management
• Prepared high quality reports, both narrative and quantitative information and reporting on relevant indicators and outcomes. Ensure that all reports are delivered according to high quality standards and are always submitted on time as per WVU standards.
• Worked with Food Assistance Manager and FAOs to identify partners who supported the implementation of the Resilience and Livelihood Technical Programme within the Area Programme.
• Took lead in documentation and sharing of Impact/success stories and best practices to promote learning.
• Organized quarterly review meetings for partners and communities at the project sites to reflect on programmes/projects approaches, tools, impact of interventions, best practices, exit and sustainability strategies as well as create spaces and opportunities for action-learning and debate
Coordination and collaborations
• Linked the established saving groups to other microfinance institutions including Vision Fund
• Took overall lead in the coordination of livelihood activities
• Managed community expectations in terms of the support that WV can provide, enhance accountability & transparency mechanisms.
• Developed monitoring plan with communities, government and partners agreeing on the required standards for monitoring, with support from the AMEO.
Capacity building and training
• Built the capacity of farmers’ business groups/cooperatives to collectively engage local leaders on identified issues.
• Conducted capacity assessment for identified groups
• Identified and trained ToTs on Saving for Transformation methodology
• Together with government and partners, conducted regular reflection and learning events

Food for the Hungry (Fh) Uganda
Livelihood Officer
Aug 2016 - Sep 2018

Job title: Livelihood Officer:
Job summary:
• Supervised all livelihoods and food security activities at the Refuge settlements and Host community areas in Adjumani district for the project entitled “Strengthening Livelihoods of the Refugees and Host communities in Adjumani District” supported by United Sates Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM),
• Conducted surveys and assessments to determine the training needs.
• mobilized and sensitised communities and stakeholders
• Forming beneficiary groups.
• Designed and conducted Agronomic training of beneficiaries in good agricultural practices for (production of maize, groundnuts, sesame and beans) plus Horticultural crops.
• Supervised provision of imputes (seeds/tools) to the beneficiary.
• Conducted training in business skills and marketing.
• Created market linkages for the producer groups.
• Advice beneficiaries to ensure successful implementation of the program according to the proposal log frame.
• Trained Persons with special needs -Youths on Tailoring, Mechanics, Hair dressing, brick laying and Distribution start up items to the beneficiaries.
• Formed VSLA groups and trained the members to be self-sustaining for creating accessibility to small-scale loans for reinvesting in Agriculture production.

Achievements so far done:
• 150 small holder farmer groups comprising of 25 members each and totalling to 3750 persons have been formed and registered for the project in settlements and host communities.
• 1850acres of land has been negotiated for and contracted from the host communities in refugee settlements for BPRM project for the 3 years.
• Training needs assessment was done and training curriculum and manuals were been developed and effectively used.
• Supported 340 refugees and Host community youths with IGA start up tools and supplementary trainings in ADJUMANI district refugee settlements.
• Trainings on group agronomic practices, leadership/ group dynamics, VSLA and Business skills have been successfully done.
• 1005acres of land has so far been under the production of Maize, Beans, Groundnuts and sesame to ensure food security as per the project demand.
• I participated in Rapid Food security and Livelihoods Assessments (RFSLA)in Refugee settlements to inform new project proposals for funding.
• I initiated the development of necessary tools for data collection from the field that have been adopted and improved upon by my seniors for usage for example the Agronomic data collection tool.
• Market linkages for Agricultural produce under the project were done.

Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) International
Programme Officer-Agriculturalist
Aug 2013 - Feb 2015

Voluntary Service over Seas (VSO International) attached to VSO The Gambia
VSO in its World bank’s Gambia Growth and competitiveness project (GCP-WB ) entitled ‘’Enhancing farm level production and marketing of Agricultural Products’’ aimed at enhancing business capacity of Micro-Small-Medium enterprises through Agricultural production for creation of employment to youths and women. VSO the Gambia partnered with Agency for Village Support (AVISU), National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Directorate of Agriculture (DoA) of Gambian Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade to champion out Groundnut and horticulture Value Chain development in the Gambia. I worked closely with the VSO program Manager (livelihoods), VSO project manager (Grants and Fundraising) and Monitoring and Evaluation specialist (M & E) of VSO-The Gambia.

Job Title: Program Officer/Agriculturalist (FULL TIME)
Summary of duties and achievements made in Gambia in the areas of Organisational and Business management, Best practices in Agriculture production and Agriculture marketing.
• Part of the team that conducted baseline survey and evaluation on the farmers’ knowledge on the business skill, group management and adoption of best agronomic practices on the groundnut, price and farmers household income
• Sensitization of the communities on the formation of the groundnut growers associations Formation of Ad hoc committees on the management of the group formation processes in the 7 district.
• Spearheading the development& review of the Farmer Associations' constitutions by the ad hoc working group and subsequent validation of the constitutions and election of the executive committee members of the groups.
• Participated in a team developing 6 training manuals on Business skills development, institutional/group management, Best Practices in Groundnut production, Vegetable growing guide, Agriculture bulk marketing and Farmer Field School Guide.
• Conducting group meetings to share market information and managing groups.
• Developing funding proposals to mobilize resources internally & externally for the farmer associations.
• Developing systems and processes at the partner level this is through partnership review meetings and developing necessary tools for data collection from the field at partner level.
• Training of 20 partner staff and community extension workers on business skills and group management and development skills.
• Training of 153 lead farmers and committee members of Growers Associations on business skills development, institutional/group management and strengthening.
• Step down training of the group members on business skills and group management.
• Conduct farmer field schools (FFS) TOT for 24 extension workers.
• Draw Procurement & distribution plan for farm inputs
• Implementation of farmer field schools programme with 40 communities- extension support, training of 750 lead farmers and developing participatory M & E at farmer cluster level.
• Data collection on the farmer’s knowledge and adoption of best agronomic practices.
• Conduct knowledge transfer field day for selected farmers in the three intervention area.
• Sensitization and awareness raising campaigns for farmers to adopt best practices to increase production and improve quality to reduce incidence of Aflatoxin contamination.
• Conduct post-harvest management training for farmers groups and members on groundnut.
• Data collection on the yield of the FFs.
• Testing of Aflatoxin level on the FFS groundnut products.
• Conduct survey on the impact of the training on the farmers’ knowledge and adoption of best agronomic practices.
• Groundnut Association Market Opportunity Groups (MOG) negotiate price with buyers
• MOG members meeting new supply chain representatives developing contracts and signing MoUs.
• Developing groundnut marketing strategies and training of 143 extension workers and executive committee members of groundnut clusters.
• Formation of Market opportunity groups.
• Post-harvest management training for 92 extension workers and farmers.
• Linking groundnut farmer clusters with potential markets.

Frigocan (U) Ltd
Company Agronomist
Aug 2011 - Jul 2013

August 2011-to August, 2013 Frigocan (U) Ltd ,C/O Industrial Promotion Services (IPS)-Uganda

Frigocan (U) Ltd is a member of the Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) group of companies, which is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) – an international development agency dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa as well as Central and Southern Asia. This is through private, international, non-denominational agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in specific regions of the developing world. Frigocan Uganda a younger sister company to FRIGOKEN-Kenya, are leading producers, processors and exporters of Horticultural crops most specifically (French beans, Chili, Passion fruit, snow peas)

Job title: Company Agronomist (FULL TIME)
Summary of duties:
• Organizing farmer groups.
• Training of farmers on production of vegetables fruits and spices e.g. Chilli (African Birds’ Eye Chilli, Cayenne), French beans (different varieties like, Julia, Morgan and Organdi) and yellow passion fruit (YPF), snowpeas.
• Making projections and responsible for drawing production plans.
• Performing field trials for different new varieties and chemicals imported for the projects in regards to the laws of Uganda.
• Water shed management and application of irrigation technology for all year round production.
• Participate in developing production/business modules.
• Budgeting for the field operations.
• Keeping data base for the farmers in the scheme.
• Help in internal inspections and certification in accordance with Global-GAP.(Global Good Agricultural Practices),
• Linking farmers to the market through contracting them.
• Working with other development partners like local and International N.G.Os such as Africa 2000 Network which are currently undertaking AGRA-Project and NAADs, C.B.Os and several SACCO groups in Eastern region of Uganda specifically Namutumba, Bugiri, Iganga, Luuka and Mbale high lands (trial for snowpeas)districts in forming vibrant autonomous cooperatives that work in the scheme.
• Training and mentoring of subordinates and farmer group leaders for efficiency of operations.
• Timely report writing and presentation of budget for field operations.
Mainachievements.
• A base line survey for the entire project was successfully done and the project initiated as per the results.
• At least 5,000 farmers have been registered and involved in the project scheme and organized into 250 groups of 20 farmer members and are registered as community based organizations (C.B.Os)
• All farmer groups have bank account with local commercial banks.
• Creation of collection centres that facilitates marketing.
• Adoptions of new technology/innovations in the management of the crops under the project have been seen.
• Field trials and seed multiplication are done to reserve germplasm for reduction of the production cost.
• Proper implementations of Global Good Agricultural (Global- GAP) Practices which is environmentally friendly have been made by farmers with the help of training and certification that matches with the market standards.

Education

Kulika Uganda, YSAT, MIT D-Lab, and GIZ ESDS
Design Lab co-creation
Mar 2022 - Mar 2022

Completed

ZOA Uganda
Certificate in Project Planning and Management
Feb 2022 - Feb 2022

Completed

ILO/UNDP
Certificate in GET-AHEAD
Jul 2021 - Jul 2021

Completed

Makerere University
BSc. Horticulture
Aug 2005 - Jan 2009

Graduated on January 19th 20009

Contact Candidate