SMART Centre Coordinator at ForAfrika
Job Description
Job Summary
The SMART Centre Coordinator will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the Sustainable Models for Agricultural and Renewable Technologies (SMART) Centre in Lobule, Koboko District, West Nile, Uganda. The coordinator will lead the establishment and management of the Centre as a model farm, research, learning, and innovation hub that promotes climate-smart agriculture, renewable technologies, agribusiness development, and community resilience.
The role integrates program management with practical farm operations, applied research, innovation, and knowledge transfer. The Programme Coordinator will ensure that evidence-based agricultural practices, demonstrations, and innovations are effectively translated into improved livelihoods for refugees and host communities, while promoting peaceful co-existence and environmental sustainability.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Programme Leadership and Coordination
- Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the SMART Centre program, ensuring alignment with project objectives, donor requirements, and national development priorities.
- Develop and oversee annual work plans, budgets, and implementation schedules.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary project components including agriculture, renewable energy, agribusiness, training, and community engagement.
Farm Management, Research & Innovation
- Oversee day-to-day management of the SMART Centre model farm, demonstration plots, and nurseries.
- Integrate climate-smart, regenerative, and sustainable farming practices into production systems.
- Lead applied research, trials, and innovation activities in crop production, plant improvement, and agroecology.
- Promote adaptive research, learning, and innovation in collaboration with research institutions and extension services.
- Ensure proper documentation, analysis, and dissemination of research findings and best practices.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer - Design and coordinate farmer training programs, farmer groups, and learning events.
- Promote agricultural extension approaches that are participatory, inclusive, and gender responsive.
- Strengthen technical skills of project staff, community facilitators, and lead farmers.
- Support agribusiness development, value addition, and market linkages for smallholder farmers.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with government agencies, research institutions, universities, NGOs, OPM and the private sector.
- Coordinate with local leadership to support peaceful co-existence between refugees and host communities.
- Represent the SMART Centre in coordination meetings, networks, and technical forums.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability (MELA) systems.
- Ensure timely, high-quality technical and financial reports to donors and stakeholders.
- Use data and learning to improve programme quality and innovation.
Administration, Finance, and Compliance
- Oversee financial management, procurement, asset control, and compliance with organizational policies.
- Ensure safeguarding, environmental, and occupational health and safety standards are upheld.
- Support resource mobilization and sustainability planning for the SMART Centre.
Educational Qualifications, Experience, & Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness, Plant Science, or a related field.
- Master of Science (MSc) in Agronomy, Plant Science, Plant Breeding Biotechnology,Agribusiness,Agricultural Extension,Sustainable Agriculture is desired.
- Minimum of 5 years’ progressive experience in managing agricultural development programmes.
- Proven experience working in a farm management setting, model farm, or agricultural research and innovation centre.
- Demonstrated experience in applied research, field trials, and innovation dissemination.
- Experience managing donor-funded projects, including budgeting and reporting.
- Experience working with refugees, host communities, or vulnerable populations is a strong advantage.
- Familiarity with Northern Uganda or similar agro-ecological and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
Core Competencies & Attributes
- Strong leadership and team management skills with a hands-on, results-oriented approach.
- Technical expertise in crop production, sustainable farming systems, and agricultural innovation.
- Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
- Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
- Ability to translate research and innovation into practical extension messages.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office and data management tools.
- Passion for sustainable agriculture, innovation, and community empowerment.
- High integrity, accountability, and ethical standards.
- Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable working in rural and resource-constrained environments.
- Culturally sensitive and committed to inclusivity and peaceful co-existence.
- Proactive, self-driven, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should submit the following documents by 17th Feb 2026.
- Cover Letter explaining motivation and suitability for the role
- Detailed CV including relevant experience and achievements
- Contact details for three professional references
Click HERE to apply
Please note that correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you do not hear from us within one month of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
