KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1 Policy Advocacy and Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of UAA’s advocacy strategy and annual work plan.
• Track and analyse policy developments relevant to the agribusiness sector at national, regional and global levels.
• Engage with policymakers, ministries, and regulatory bodies to present agribusiness private sector perspectives on key policy issues.
• Organise policy dialogue forums, roundtables, and stakeholder consultations on priority issues.
• Coordinate the drafting and dissemination of policy briefs, position papers, communiqués, and reports.

1.2 Stakeholder Engagement and Alliances

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including government agencies, civil society, media, private sector associations, and development partners.
• Represent UAA at high-level meetings, coalitions, and public engagements to promote its mandate and policy recommendations.
• Mobilize members and partners to participate in collective advocacy actions.
• Act as a focal point for advocacy campaigns in collaboration with members and implementing partners.

1.3 Advocacy for Development of Value Chain Platforms

• Advocate for the establishment and strengthening of inclusive, multi-stakeholder value chain platforms across key agricultural sectors.
• Mobilise support from policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners to participate in and institutionalise value chain platforms as vehicles for coordinated action.
• Promote enabling policies and public-private dialogue that address systemic bottlenecks identified through the value chain platforms.
• Represent UAA’s position in value chain-focused coalitions, technical working groups, and national forums to influence agribusiness-related decisions and reforms.
• Coordinate the documentation and dissemination of policy issues, advocacy messages, and success stories emerging from value chain platform engagements.

1.4 Communication and Awareness

• Work closely with the Communications Officer to translate complex policy issues into public-friendly messages and advocacy materials.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of newsletters, press releases, blog articles, and other public outreach materials related to advocacy efforts.
• Support media engagements and responses to public policy issues.

1.5 Capacity Building and Internal Coordination

• Provide technical support and training to UAA staff, members and partners on policy engagement, advocacy skills, and strategy development.
• Work collaboratively across departments to ensure advocacy is aligned with UAA’s programmatic goals.
• Document and share success stories, lessons learned and impact of advocacy efforts.

2. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Agribusiness, Law, Development Studies, or related field.
• A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in advocacy, policy analysis, or stakeholder engagement preferably within the agribusiness or development sector.
• Strong understanding of agricultural value chains and agribusiness policy issues in Uganda.
• Experience working with public sector institutions, private sector actors, and/or donor-funded projects.

3. SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with proven ability to develop and implement advocacy plans.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
• Research and policy analysis skills.
• Self-driven, results-oriented and team player.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and policy research tools.