Senior Milk Quality Advisor

Mbarara, Uganda

Full-time

Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization, working in Agriculture, Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, we have built a long-term, local presence in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organizations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

SNV Uganda signed a four-year partnership agreement with the Netherlands Embassy in Uganda (EKN) to implement the phase 2 of The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise (TIDE) project in South Western Uganda.

TIDE phase 1 supported farmers to transit to semi-intensive production through the creation of a commercial input market in knowledge (training, extension), products and technical services and finance (credit). A market was created by supporting the development of products and services (e.g. training modules, on-farm infrastructure, and mechanization), handholding the emergence of contractors and service providers and developing the market linkages (through an intricate mix of technical advice, strategic subsidies and matching grants). Similarly, TIDE attracted local financial institutions (SACCOs) to provide loan products to enable dairy farmers to make the investments necessary for improving production.

Building on the results of TIDE 1, phase 2 will have two components, i.e. deepening and up-scaling. Under the deepening component, TIDE 2 will focus on the current TIDE project area (7 districts) in order to increase impact (supporting farmers to reap benefits from the investments made). From market creation, the focus will shift to market development: ensuring that the market delivers products and services to dairy farmers that are accessible, relevant, affordable and of high quality. TIDE 2 will also support interventions further up the value chain: cooperatives, value chain linkages and domestic market diversification (including school milk). Up-scaling will be pursued by following the market in the products and services developed under TIDE 1 that are relevant for commercial farmers throughout Uganda (mostly peri-urban Kampala and Rwenzori Region). Private sector companies will be actively supported to market their products and services in those areas (mainly through mobilizing technical expertise and networking).

For more information on our operations in Uganda and SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org

Our programme in Uganda is  looking for  a senior dynamic professionals to join our team. Interested candidates should meet the basic qualifications outlined within the Candidate Profile and exhibit a strong desire to be a catalyst for change.

Overview of the Position

Purpose of the Job

The TIDE 2 impact ambition is:

·       Direct impact: to double income for 5,000 farmers (already counted in TIDE 1), to create 1,000 new jobs and to improve nutrition for 500,000 additional children within the TIDE project area.

·       Outreach: reach 2,000 farmers (directly and indirectly) with improved income outside the project area.

·       System change: to contribute to the dairy sector transformation.

This is to be realized by working on four components:

1)    Productivity: deepening the market in knowledge, inputs and finance (through quality and diversification); up-scaling to other commercial farming areas by following the private sector;

2)    Milk quality: up-scaling QBMPS (Quality Based Milk Payment System) throughout the country, using a processor-led model;

3)    Value Chain: deepening VC linkages through support to cooperatives and inclusive business models; upscaling by supporting the diversification of the domestic market.

4)    Nutrition: deepening the school milk and yoghurt project in SW Uganda by increasing nutritional effects and up-scaling the approach outside the project area through social campaigns.

Scope of TIDE’s Milk Quality Unit interventions

One of the key activities of the TIDE project is to support and advise stakeholders in the project area to improve milk quality. In TIDE-1 the Milk Quality Unit made good progress on sensitizing, training and capacity building for farmers, cooperatives (milk collection centres), transporters and processors to track and trace milk quality and to improve on milk hygiene and composition. In collaboration with 3 processors in 2017-18 a QBMP system was piloted testing milk with automatic milk reception and intelligence testing analysers on SNF, butterfat and density. Other than paying a bonus for milk that would comply to set standards, this reduced adulteration of milk and also contributed to improved food safety. The pilot was implemented with support from the DDA which plays key role as regulator and overseer of the dairy sector on behalf of Government.

Based on the lessons learned in the past 3 years, TIDE 2 will deepen and scale up the activities in this agenda with the following approach:

1.    The milk quality interventions will be market-/processor-led and the support from TIDE will be a combination of TA and co-financing of targeted hardware investments (e.g. new parameters with required testing equipment, services and critical hardware investments).

2.    The project will endeavour to promote and help scaling up the QBMP pilot under TIDE I for which DDA approved Implementation Guidelines. This is in line with the Government policy to give support to payment systems that reward milk quality, which could be either based on MQ-parameter-based test results and standards, or through a bonus system based on adoption and implementation of good practices.

3.    The project will promote and stimulate widening the scope of milk quality tracking & tracing by including more milk quality parameters, in close consultation with the participating and facilitating (DDA) parties.

4.    The project in-team with DDA and other relevant parties, will also start development and piloting of a quality track & trace and assurance system for school milk and yoghurt under TIDE’s Nutrition Unit.

5.    DDA will continue to play a pivotal role in guiding, validating and promoting the interventions as government authority, guaranteeing legitimacy of the project interventions and providing sensitisation and training.

6.    The project will take a holistic approach towards improvement of milk quality based on a supply chain analysis and identifying and prioritising critical gaps and intervention areas. This may differ per client depending on perceived problems, product range and organisation of the supply chain. Intervention and activity plans will be more tailor made to the needs of the individual clients (processors and traders).

The project will document and share learnings with sector stakeholders.

Typical Reporting Lines

Report directly to the Project Manager TIDE

Job Description

Heading the TIDE Milk Quality Unit and reporting directly to the TIDE Project Manager, the Senior Milk Quality Advisor has the following roles. He/she will be supported by local and international consultants in delivering on this:

Coordination;

a.    Lead, coordinate and oversee all interventions and related activities in the Milk Quality Unit.

b.    Closely work with consultants on planned missions.

c.    Define roles, responsibilities, contributions from participating stakeholders.

d.    Manage relations and expectations between all stakeholders (private, public and development partners).

e.    Liaise with relevant government departments, agencies and institutions, promote, inform and rally support for the project.

Implementation;

a.    Prepare MoUs and terms of reference with each client and partner.

b.    Implement milk supply chain deep scans for/with clients.

c.    Develop activity and investment plans with each client, including cost sharing arrangements.

d.    Support zero settings and harmonisation of regular milk testing methods (track & trace systems) in client supply chain and for

school milk program.

e.    Support piloting of new milk testing equipment (cost sharing).

f.     Support investments in other critical hardware and ICT (cost sharing).

g.    Sensitisation, awareness, training of farmers, transporters, managers, lab technicians.

h.    Develop training / instructional materials and SOPs.

i.     Organise exchange visits.

j.     Document and communicate learnings

k.    Others

Monitoring for learning;

a.    Organise quarterly planning and review meetings with clients and DDA.

b.    Document all relevant aspects of the project interventions for learning and sharing.

c.    Organise learning workshops and forums.

d.    Participate in TIDE team meetings and any events and meetings, organized by SNV Uganda.

e.    Any other activity, as assigned by the TIDE project manager.

Qualifications

·     A masters degree in animal production, veterinary science, food technology or any related field in dairy development, policy and regulation.

·     Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in relevant positions related to dairy sector development, regulatory services and/or food safety.

·     Experience in management of teams, project development, planning and monitoring.

·     Experience in organising field days and workshops in liaison with partners, multi-stakeholders, including private sector.

Additional requirements;

·       Good verbal and written communication skills in English.

·       Computer skills (email, word processing, spreadsheets) and software applications.

·       develop and implement options of quality payment system

·       Highly motivated to maintain regular dialogue with SNV’s partner organizations.

·       Skills in team work, facilitation and training. Knowledge of NGO operations.

·       Experience with sub-grantee management, working in the dairy sector and knowledge of southwest Uganda are all strong additional advantages.

·       Sensitive and committed to gender equity and diversity.

Additional Information

Terms of Appointment

This is a full time position based in SNV Mbarara Office and a National contract with the successful candidate being contracted on a 2-year basis with possibility of extension upon good performance. The Senior Milk Quality Advisor will:

·       Adhere to SNV values and code of conduct

·       Participate in all team activities

·       Report directly to the Project Manager TIDE

·       Work jointly with all relevant SNV staff

Application Deadline: by 18th December 2019.

Desired Start Date: 10th February 2020