Market Development Officer

GOAL and its consortium partner, Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) is implementing a 5-year Integrated and Sustainable Production for Resilient Economies (INSPIRE) programme funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kampala. The objective of the programme is to build climate resilient and more productive farming systems and livelihoods, with environmentally sustainable and commercially viable practices, as such sustainably increasing productivity and income of 200,000 smallholder farming households (SHF) in Busoga and Lango regions. The project pathways and outcomes are:  Pathway and Outcome 1: focuses on enhanced social resilience and agency in SHF households and communities ; Pathway and Outcome 2: focuses on ensuring SHF farming systems are more sustainable, productive and resilient to shocks.; Pathway and Outcome 3: focuses on SHF actively participating and benefiting in inclusive markets and ensures SHF have enhanced voice and influence to address market system issues. 

The Market Development Officer (MDO) will be responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of the Inclusive Market Development and Farmer Organization Activities in coordination with Market Development Coordinator (MDC) within the Busoga and Lango region.  The MDO will coordinate district level INSPIRE project implementation team and lead the technical design, implementation, monitoring and scaling of inclusive business models with Private Sector Actors, Entrepreneurial Groups (EGs), VSLAs, Cooperatives and SACCOs to establishing a district level agribusiness networks for improved access to inputs, agro-services, finance, and markets leading to increase in smallholder farmers’ resilient productions and food security within the agricultural market system. 
The MDO will be a core member of the INSPIRE Programme Team working in a matrix environment as a technical resource person for integrating market development best practices into the program. This position will join MDOs based in different districts of operation and will closely work with other INSPIRE project staff to ensure proper integrations of all the interventions. This position will focus on market systems in agriculture, natural resources and climate adaptation and will also contribute to expertise in having smallholder farming systems more sustainable, productive and resilient to shocks. The Market Development officer will support in development of tools, resources and conduct training and coaching to project field staff and Farmer organisations to support cross-project learning and the overall technical intervention for inclusive markets development portfolio.

•    A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry, Development Economics, Rural Development, 
•    Minimum of 2 -years’ experience working with the private sector actors
•    Knowledge and experience in business financing for SME’s.
•    Highly motivated and motivating individual who can lead SME’s from both the front and behind (depending on the situation)
•    Ability to ride a motorcycle (valid & clean riding license )
•    Partnership management skills and knowledge

•    Some practical experience in working with both very small and medium sized companies in a development setting,
•    Knowledge of the agricultural sectors highly desirable
•    Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly
•    Strong communication skills
•    Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
•    Knowledge of the local working language within the mentioned district is preferred.

GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has values and behaviours framework which defines our code of conduct. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability.

• →Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, Code of Conduct, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• →Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• →Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Work closely with the district monitoring and evaluation team to capture the required data for measuring output and impact of the programme.
Ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field and entry in the program PSA tracker and CommCare database and for preparation of communication materials.
Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary.
Maintain proper filing system in regard to market development activities of the program.

The MDO is expected to be the focal person for all coordination, partnership and related activities with local level private sector services providers, and related stakeholders within the district of jurisdiction.
Liaise with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Markets for Small holder farmers market-based interventions.
Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing the programme at district coordination meetings as assigned.

Represent GOAL Uganda in a range of external fora and building strategic relationships and partnerships.

At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please just contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@ug.goal.ie

Children and vulnerable adults a must be safeguarded to the maximum extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency and works with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and overcome humanitarian crises, and to assist those facing poverty and exclusion achieve greater resilience and well-being. GOAL envisions a world beyond humanitarian crises where poverty no longer exists, where vulnerable communities exposed to shocks and stresses are resilient, where barriers to well-being are removed and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. 

First operational in Uganda in 1979, the current GOAL Uganda country programme focuses on Health, (including WASH, Health Accountability and Nutrition); and a market-based systems approach to improving agricultural livelihoods and WASH. GOAL Uganda mainstreams gender, child protection, social behavior changes and resilience strategies across all programming. GOAL uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with national and international civil society organizations, local government, the private sector and communities to give effect to our mission.  

GOAL Uganda has a skilled team of over 110 personnel and has a head office in Kampala and field offices in 7 locations across Northern, Southwestern and Eastern regions of Uganda.  GOAL Uganda’s donors include the Mastercard Foundation, charity: water, Irish Aid, The Kingdom of Netherland Embassy in Uganda (EKN) and other private donors.  

Interested applicants who meet the requirements should apply through the link with at least 3 professional referees (current or former Line Manager) from the last three employers and daytime contact number by 5th August 2026.