About the Role
We are recruiting two Junior Cooperative Advisors with specific expertise in the fields of Marketing or Advocacy for the five-year FORT project in Uganda. Based in Busoga and Tooro, you will support and advise farmer organisations, guide change processes using our participatory EFFORT approach, and help strengthen viable, farmer-led businesses.
Together with our partners, we aim to reach 200,000 farming households by building strong, inclusive cooperatives and resilient rural communities.
If you believe in empowering farmer organisations and have experience in agricultural development, this could be your next step.
What you will do
As Junior Cooperative Advisor, you will be based in a regional office, working closely with cooperatives, field officers, local government, and the FORT team.
Your work includes:
Mapping and Scoping
- Identifying promising cooperatives and farmer groups
- Visiting communities and understanding their story, structure, and ambitions
- Exploring how they create value for their members
Assessment and Categorisation
Assessing governance, financial management, business potential, and member commitment
What you will do
- Supporting cooperatives through our categorisation and graduation pathway
Helping them grow step by step, at their own pace
Advisory and Business Support
- Providing hands-on advice in marketing or advocacy
- Supporting production, finance, and value addition strategies
- Connecting cooperatives to peer expertise through our Agripool network
- Facilitating negotiations and preparing business deals
Participatory Planning (EFFORT methodology)
- Supporting cooperatives to implement our participatory approach
- Linking household “vision journeys” to cooperative strategies
- Ensuring every member has a respected and influential voice
Training and Peer Learning
- Organising practical training sessions
- Strengthening governance and inclusive leadership
- Facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges between cooperatives
Community Engagement and Advocacy
- Promoting inclusion of youth, women, and remote farmers
- Supporting advocacy plans that address policy and market challenges
Monitoring, Learning and Reporting
- Translating plans into action
- Monitoring progress and key results
- Reporting clearly and transparently
- Ensuring compliance with financial and donor guidelines
Sustainability and Graduation
- Supporting cooperatives to meet milestones
- Preparing them for long-term independence
Strengthening the national apex to continue cooperative development beyond the project
What you bring
You are curious, practical, and driven by impact - and you believe in the power of collective action.
You have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, economics, development studies, agronomy, business administration, or a related field
- At least 2 years of relevant experience in agricultural development
- Experience working with cooperatives or farmer organisations
- Knowledge of participatory methodologies, value chain development, advocacy, marketing or financial management
- Strong planning, monitoring and reporting skills
- A proactive mindset and attention to detail
- Good communication skills (written and spoken)
- Confidence using MS Office
- Willingness to travel frequently to rural areas
Most importantly, You are ready to listen, learn, and grow alongside farmer organisations.
What we offer?
At Agriterra, you step into a dynamic international network rooted in the farming sector.
We offer:
- A position with real responsibility and space to take initiative
- Opportunities to exchange knowledge with colleagues across the world
- A salary in scale 8 (Agriterra Uganda scale)
- Benefits in line with national legislation and Agriterra’s HR policy
- A collegial, ambitious, and purpose-driven working environment
Here, your work contributes directly to local prosperity.
Interested?
Do you see yourself in this role? Are you motivated to partner up with farmer organisations and sow the seeds of change together?
Send your cover letter and CV to vacancy@agriterra.org, addressed to Stijn van Geel, Regional Manager East Africa. Please include the vacancy title in the subject line.
📅 Application deadline: 9 March 2026
Together, we sow the seeds of change.