Project: The Youth Economic Empowerment through Livestock Development (YEELD)
Organization: International Foundation for Recovery and Development (IFRAD)
Duty Station: TBD
Reports to: Cluster Coordinator
Background
About YEELD: The Youth Economic Empowerment through Livestock Development (YEELD) Program is a five-year initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being and resilience of financially disadvantaged young people aged 18–35 years in the Teso, Bukedi, and Ankole sub-regions of Uganda through livestock value chains. The program seeks to create 250,000 work opportunities, including for 200,000 (80%) young women, 5% persons with disabilities (PWDs), and 3% refugees and displaced persons (RDPs). YEELD is being implemented across 20 districts in the three sub-regions through a consortium coordinated by Ripple Effect, dfcu Foundation, and Multi Community Based Development Initiative (MUCOBADI), and Action For Development (ACFODE) as a Gender and Social Inclusion partner, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
IFRAD is a sub-partner to dfcu Foundation, implementing the program in the Teso region. IFRAD is therefore looking for suitable candidates
Position Summary
The District Coordinator will lead district-level implementation, ensuring effective delivery of integrated interventions across livestock value chains (poultry, piggery, and small ruminants) while fostering strong partnerships and inclusive economic participation among young people financial inclusion, market systems strengthening, youth empowerment, and gender and social inclusion interventions. The role provides district-level leadership, effective supervision of Project Officers and Community-Based facilitators, Private service providers (PSPS) and other community based strictures, and serves as the primary link between the project, local government structures, community groups, and beneficiaries to ensure quality implementation and achievement of project targets. The role focuses on driving youth enterprise development and job creation; Strengthening producer organizations and cooperatives; Expanding market access, financial inclusion, and private sector linkages; and promoting inclusive participation of young women, PWDs, and vulnerable groups.
Responsibilities/Key Deliverables:
1. District-Level Project Leadership and Delivery
- Lead and be accountable for the planning, implementation, and performance of all YEELD interventions at the district level, ensuring achievement of targets and results as per approved targets
- Translate program strategy into annual and quarterly district work plans, aligned with donor requirements and performance indicators.
- Coordinate district-level planning meetings, field operations, activity scheduling, and partner engagement to ensure smooth implementation.
- Ensure high-quality, timely, and inclusive delivery of project activities across all target sub-counties.
- Monitor and track progress against employment, inclusion, and enterprise growth targets, ensuring that district indicators are met.
- Maintain quality assurance, consistency, and compliance with project standards, donor guidelines, and approved work plans across all implementation sites. Guide the planning and implementation of; marketing, information gathering, preparation of group business & action plans and establishment & strengthening of business linkages of the value chain actors.
2. Supervision and Team Management
- Supervise, mentor, and provide technical support to Project Officers and Community-Based Trainers to ensure timely and quality delivery of project activities.
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor activity implementation and provide hands-on guidance to field teams.
- Support staff capacity building in project implementation, reporting, safeguarding, gender inclusion, and stakeholder engagement.
- Review and consolidate field reports submitted by Project Officers and ensure timely submission of district reports.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, and effective communication within the district project team.
3. Partnerships, Ecosystem Development, and Private Sector Engagement
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with district local governments, private sector actors, financial institutions, NGOs, and training providers to support effective program implementation
- Facilitate district-level multi-stakeholder platforms to improve coordination and unlock access to key enablers such as land, finance, technology, and markets for youth enterprises
- Identify and promote opportunities for private sector engagement in district livestock value chains, including linking youth enterprises to buyers, input suppliers, and service providers
- Strengthen linkages between youth and local incubation, skilling, and business development service providers to support enterprise growth and sustainability.
4. Inclusion and Social Impact
- Ensure the intentional inclusion of young women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and internally displaced or vulnerable groups in all district-level project activities
- Promote and support youth leadership, participation, and voice within producer groups, cooperatives, and community decision-making platforms
- Strengthen engagement with community structures, local leaders, special interest groups, and social networks to enhance outreach and participation
- Identify and address local socio-economic and cultural barriers that limit the participation of vulnerable groups, and implement practical solutions to enhance inclusion
- Support implementation of youth empowerment, life skills, and entrepreneurship initiatives in line with YEELD’s gender-responsive approach.
- Facilitate community awareness activities on gender equality, inclusion, mindset change, and social accountability.
- Ensure safeguarding and social inclusion principles are applied throughout project implementation at all sites.
- Support the establishment and functioning of youth advocacy platforms and community conversations at district and sub-county level.
5. Capacity Building and Technical Support
- Strengthen the capacity of project officers, community structures, and local institutions to deliver market-oriented business, technical, and entrepreneurial skills to youth
- Identify, organize, and train youth producer groups and enterprises in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) planning and management, with a focus on progression to formal financial systems such as SACCOs
- Coordinate and facilitate community-based technical support services for livestock value chains (poultry, piggery, and small ruminants), improving productivity and market readiness
- Organize and coordinate the delivery of financial literacy and access-to-finance training sessions in collaboration with financial institutions and other service providers
- Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and follow-up support to ensure effective skills transfer, adoption of best practices, and enterprise growth
- Coordinate implementation of livestock development activities within the district, including training of Youth Producer Groups in best production and management practices.
- Organise and trains ‘Trainer of Trainers’ programmes for the project, both staff and community resource persons
- Support training and mentorship of livestock farmers, producer groups, para-veterinarians, and community extension workers.
- Promote adoption of improved livestock husbandry, animal health, feeding, breed improvement, and biosecurity practices.
- Organise farmer field demonstrations, exchange visits, business clinics, and peer learning activities.
- Support linkages of groups to MCCs, MCP, and other business development and support services.
- Ensure that groups, Milk collection centres, fully engage in the development of plans, monitoring, and reporting.
6. Monitoring, Reporting, and Adaptive Learning
- Coordinate district-level data collection, verification, and monitoring activities in line with YEELD M&E frameworks, ensuring accuracy and data quality
- Prepare and submit timely, accurate, and high-quality reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual) in line with program and donor requirements
- Document and share success stories, best practices, and lessons learned to support continuous program learning and improvement
- Use data and field insights to inform decision-making, strengthen implementation quality, and support adaptive management at district level
- Engage with district local governments and relevant stakeholders to integrate youth priorities into development plans and sector strategies
- Promote initiatives that reduce risks for youth-led agribusinesses and facilitate access to finance, markets, and business support services
- Identify and support opportunities to attract local investment and strengthen livestock market systems, enhancing capital flows to youth enterprises.
7. Financial and Administrative Management
- Ensure efficient and accountable use of project resources at district level.
- Maintain compliance with organizational, donor, and program related policies.
- Support budget tracking, activity costing, and financial reporting processes.
Education & Training
- Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or related field
- Minimum 6years of relevant experience in: Market systems development and value chain programming; Youth employment, livelihoods, or agribusiness development
- Proven experience in facilitating VSLAs, cooperatives, enterprise groups, and financial inclusion initiatives
- Strong background in stakeholder engagement and partnership development
- Experience working in livestock value chains (poultry, piggery, or small ruminants) is highly desirable
- Familiarity with the Teso sub-region socio-economic context and local development dynamics is an added advantage
Skills & Experience
- Strong project management and coordination skills
- Good understanding of market systems, value chains, and financial inclusion
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Strong facilitation, communication, and reporting skills
- Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning (MERL)
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
- High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital reporting tools
- Ability to work in field settings, manage priorities, and travel extensively (valid motorcycle permit required)
Behavioral Competencies
- Integrity and Commitment: Upholds YEELD values, ethics, and safeguarding standards
- Ownership and Results Orientation: Drives performance and accountability
- Strategic Thinking: Adapts interventions using data and systems thinking
- Collaboration and Influence: Builds strong partnerships and influences stakeholders
- Leadership: Guides, mentors, and develops high-performing teams
- Adaptive Learning: Promotes learning, innovation, and continuous improvement
Safeguarding and Inclusion Commitment
The role holder must uphold safeguarding principles and ensure that all interventions are inclusive, safe, and accessible, particularly for young women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
IFRAD is committed to maintaining a transparent and ethical recruitment process. Please be advised that all applications and recruitment services are provided entirely free of charge. At no stage of the hiring process does IFRAD request or accept any form of payment.
If you have any concerns, inquiries, or suspect any fraudulent activity related to this recruitment process, please contact IFRAD directly at: info@ifrad.org