Project Manager, Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholders Farmers (“INCLUDE”)

Overview of the Assignment
Persistent poverty climate-induced shocks land degradation and underperforming agricultural markets continue to limit the progress of smallholder farmers in Uganda. These challenges are particularly acute in livestock-based livelihoods where poor access to markets unsustainable land use practices and low productivity converge to suppress living incomes. The effects are felt most across regions like Busoga Rwenzori Greater Ankole and Kigeziwhere rural households rely heavily on agriculture and livestock as both a source of income and nutrition.

In response SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) with funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) in Kampala is implementing a transformative five-year programme () that aims to increase the living income and resilience of 75000 smallholder farmer (SHF) households through livestock-centered development. Recognising the need for systemic change the project moves beyond conventional approaches and adopts Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) as a foundational methodology to empower SHFs to lead their own development trajectories.

By building farmers adaptive capacity and fostering integrated planning at the household level the project will promote sustainable land use improved livestock productivity better access to inclusive markets and enhanced food and nutrition security. The INCLUDE project is firmly anchored in two interrelated outcome areas: sustainable production and inclusive livestock markets. These will be advanced through a locally embedded ecosystem-based model that brings together public private and civil society actors.

This is not a traditional top-down project; rather it is a farmer-centric initiative that values co-creation continuous learning and long-term sustainability. Implementation will be led by regional teams with a total of 32 committed staff under the strategic leadership of the Project Manager. The Project Manager will ensure quality execution oversee relations with strategic partners build relations with the private sector serve as the primary liaison with EKN and champion transparent reporting and knowledge sharing with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the projects ambition translates into meaningful change on the ground.

Overview of the Position:
As the Project Manager for the INCLUDE project under SNV Ugandas Agri-Food Sector you will lead the implementation of a transformative 5-year initiative aimed at improving the living income and building resilient livestock-based livelihoods for 75000 smallholder farmer households across the Busoga Rwenzori Greater Ankole and Kigezi subregions. Based full-time in Fort Portal Uganda this pivotal role requires a dynamic leader with a strong grasp of inclusive development and systems thinking to navigate complex rural ecosystems and drive sustainable change.

The INCLUDE project focuses on two key outcome areas: sustainable livestock production and inclusive market development. Through the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach you will guide farming communities to strengthen their adaptive capacities optimize land use increase productivity and access better markets and nutrition. Your leadership will ensure local ownership of solutions and meaningful farmer engagement.

Reporting to the Sector Leader Agri-Food Sector SNV Uganda you will oversee a team of 32 dedicated staff and serve as the primary liaison with the donor (EKN). Your role will be instrumental in aligning project delivery with donor priorities ensuring high-quality implementation rigorous reporting and strong stakeholder collaboration throughout the life of the project.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Project Leadership and Technical Oversight of project implementation
   • Provide overall strategic direction for the INCLUDE project ensuring full alignment with SNVs agri-food systems approach and donor priorities as well compliance and accountability towards all SNV policies and procedures.
   • Guide the implementation of project pathways with a quality and learning lens: Ensuring timely high-quality project delivery against scope and secure budget planning expenditure tracking and compliance with required SNV documentation.
   • Lead adaptively with focus on quality assurance and learning with data and through periodic reflection consultation and reporting in collaboration with EKN and peer initiatives (MEL).
   • Offer technical advisory to staff and partners troubleshoot potential challenges and promote evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement of project delivery.
2. Team Leadership and Staff Development
   • Lead coach and mentor a diverse team of 32 development professionals promoting a collaborative learning culture with the aim to deliver goals and objectives.
   • Lead recruitment performance and staff development to ensure the right skillsets and mindsets across the team to support and enable empowerment.
   • Ensure that staff wellbeing and safety according to SNV code of conduct and related policies.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management
   • Serve as the primary liaison with the donor (EKN) fostering a transparent and pro-active relationship through regular updates and consultations.
   • Coordinate and collaborate closely with implementing partners government institutions civil society actors and private sector stakeholders to ensure strong collaboration and alignment.
   • Proactively build linkages with other food security initiatives to maximize synergy and scale development outcomes.

Qualifications :

Essential Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Agriculture Business Livestock development Economics Rural Development or a related field relevant to agri-food systems transformation.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience managing complex multi-stakeholder development programs in the agri-food or livestock sector (preferably in sub-Saharan Africa) to ensure improved livelihoods and food security.
• Proven ability to mobilize inspire lead and guide multidisciplinary teams enabling performance and impact through effective planning delivery oversight and adaptive management.
• Track record of coaching and developing towards high-performing teams with a commitment to capability -growth well-being and promoting inclusive value-based leadership.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and donor coordination experience including successfully aligning public and private sector partnerships for systems-level impact.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postgraduate qualification or certification in Project Management Organizational Leadership or related discipline that reinforces structured delivery and team leadership.
• Experience leading through complexity using evidence-based decision-making continuous learning and knowledge sharing to navigate systemic challenges and drive innovation.
• Demonstrate expertise in inclusive market systems livestock value chains or climate-resilient agricultural systems including participatory planning tools such as Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP).
• Excellent coalition-building and influencing skills with experience fostering cross-sector collaboration that results in or exceeds planned scalable and sustainable development results.
• Extensive experience engaging with private sector actors fostering investment in smallholder development and brokering impactful partnerships that result in sustainable scalable solutions.
• Familiarity with Ugandas agricultural policy landscape and rural institutions systems with an ability to build trust and alignment with local and national stakeholders.

Additional Information :

Working for SNV 
We are home to 57 cultures working in over 20 countries with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote (international) career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure willing to share their institutional knowledge as well as people with external backgrounds and experience. All with an inquisitive view and united in ONE SNV working towards our purpose. 

Together we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience technical knowledge evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside. 

At SNV inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status religion ethnic origin gender sexual orientation and more. 

We offer a stimulating work environment opportunities to lead and innovate and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling international working environment.  

Other Information

• Contract Type: Full time: International employment contract

• Duty Station: Fort Portal Uganda

• Expected start date: As soon as possible 

• Contract duration: 3 years with possibility for renewal.

• Travel: Frequent travel within Uganda

How to Apply
If you meet the requirements and are excited about this opportunity we would love to hear from you. Apply today by uploading your CV and motivation letter by 4th of August at the latest. 

Reference & Vetting Check
Potential candidates will be asked to provide the contact details of a person who is willing to act as a reference; this could be a university professor or a line manager from a previous job assignment.

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation sexual abuse or sexual harassment) the Statement of Conduct. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.