Program Officer (02)-Readvertised

Job Title: Program Officer (02) Location: 01 Kabarole and 01 Hoima with travel within districts of implementation Reports to: Program Technical Specialists Application Deadline: 25th August 2026 Program Background The Agrifood System Transformation for Youth Employment (ASTYE) Uganda program ASTYE is a 5-year transformative initiative designed to enable dignified and fulfilling work opportunities primarily for financially disadvantaged young women, refugees, and vulnerable groups by addressing structural barriers in Uganda's Agrifood system. Aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan and Government of Uganda Agriculture Value Chain Development Strategy, the program will contribute to national efforts toward poverty alleviation, economic growth, as well food and nutrition security. Additionally, ASTYE is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy in Uganda, which aims to empower 4.3 million young Ugandans, particularly young women, by addressing structural barriers to employment and providing them with the skills and resources to succeed. Specifically, GOAL will implement component one to reach 500,000 financially disadvantaged young people, with 456,000 transiting into work and 336,000 securing dignified and fulfilling work. As the program is young women-centric, 80% of the total outreach target will be young women within Uganda's agrifood ecosystem. Furthermore, 5% of the total youth in work target will be refugees, and another 5% will be people with disabilities. Job summary Reporting to the ASTYE Technical Specialist, the Program Officer will be responsible for coordination, supervision and implementation of all the program activities in assigned districts in accordance with the programme description and budget provisions as detailed in the sector workplans. He/she will support the ASTYE Technical Specialist in ensuring the successful coordination and implementation of project activities within districts of operation following project guidelines and approaches in all programme interventions, with the aim of achieving project objectives. To be successful in this role, you will need: Essential A Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences, Agri-business Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Extension & Education, Agriculture & Rural Innovation Minimum of 3 years practical experience working with Private Sector Actors and M arket Systems Development . Possess strong partnership management skills and knowledge of partnership processes. Knowledge and experience in business financing for SMEs. Desirable Experience in working with both very small and medium-sized companies in a development setting. Strong communication and negotiating skills. Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting supporting services indirectly. Knowledge of the agricultural sectors is highly desirable. The key responsibilities of the role will be: Planning, Developing, and Implementing Market Development Activities In coordination with ASTYE Technical Specialists and local partners, plan, implement, and monitor market system development activities within the assigned districts. Support private sector actors to design, test, and deliver a wide range of appropriate services that increase youth employment and self-employment within the agricultural market system. Assist in developing capacity building materials for business, technical and financial capacities as well as participating in capacity building sessions. Support to execute related field activities to ensure that the programme results are achieved to the highest standards and project deliverables are completed as planned. Support mobilization and engagement of targeted youth to fully participate in the programme for sustainability. Support partner to identify small business activities for seed support through basic improvements or inputs. Identify value-addition opportunities t…