CKW Recruitment Officer Job in Uganda

Company: Grameen Foundation -

Job Title: CKW Recruitment Officer (CKW) Project
REPORT TO: CKW Field Coordinator
Country: Uganda
Job Description (Duties):

Job Summary: AppLab is training trusted intermediaries to use mobile phones to increase the income of small-holder farmers in Uganda. With the scaling up of the “Community Knowledge Workers,” or CKWs, and the anticipated need to build and manage a CKW Network of up to 1500 CKWs, AppLab is hiring a CKW Recruitment Officer to support various project activities. The person will play a critical role in recruiting, training and monitoring various field activities, identifying partnership needs at the grass roots, and reporting on various field activities.

The CKW Recruitment Officer (CRO) monitors and supports CKWs in their implementation of CKW objectives.


Availability: The CKW Recruitment Officer is expected to work a standard work week of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done. The position will be field-based overseeing different partner sites in the rural areas. This position will require daily travels within rural areas.



Essential Job Functions

Using his/her past experiences and best analytical skills, the CKW recruitment officer will offer support to the CKW team by carrying out the following responsibilities, among other related ones:-



Field Assessment for Partnerships:

Coordinate field visits and field assessments of partner sites

Develop district profiles for targeted areas
Develop field assessment check lists for partner sites
Map partner sites and CKW locations
Coordinate prototyping field visits for GF team
Coordinate field visits for various stakeholders and GF team to offer support and see the CKWs in action
Field research with CKWs/clients for needs assessments and relevant feedback

Conduct follow-up field visits in selected partner sites to provide feedback on on-going activities, intermediaries involved along the value chain and identify intermediaries closest to the targeted rural poor.

Make courtesy calls to relevant district officials to introduce the CKW project. The officials should include: District Agricultural Officer (DAO), Accounting Officer (CAO), Resident District Commissioner (RDC), NAADS Coordinator, and sub-county/village officials where necessary.
Assist in drafting templates of relevant documentation for district officials.

- Letters of introduction from Grameen to district, sub-county and village officials.
- M.O.U’s

Organize orientation meetings for local government officials.
Compile notes, follow-ups and action items from relevant field visits and discussions.
Contribute to planning and implementation of partnership initiative to improve livelihoods of targeted smallholder farmers through development and activation of CKW network.
Represent GF at the monthly local partner meetings

CKW Recruitment & Training Support:

Re-define/ refine characteristics of an effective CKW.

Assist CKW Field Coordinator in the selection, vetting, mapping and recruitment of CKWs in the various partner sites

Participate in community mobilization to conduct CKW nominations and voting
With clarity define the CKW selection criteria to relevant stakeholders to foster un-biased selection of CKWs
Participate in the in-depth vetting of nominated CKWs to confirm CKW recruits
Physically map or geo-tag CKW residences and establish their profiles
Notify about the training dates and associated details
Assist with training of CKWs as may be required

CKW Network Monitoring & Support

Design CKW support systems and utilize various tools to follow-up on CKWs.

Strengthen the skills of field officers in providing technical and moral support to the CKWs
Develop work plans and support schedules for the field-based officers
Report on progress in the field in terms of CKW technical capabilities, challenges, motivation and commitment towards disseminating information as well as data collection.
Streamline field activities to meet both Grameen’s objectives and partner expectations.
Troubleshoot and work with the backend technical support team to track CKW performance against set targets.
Supervise Super CKWs as co-workers in offering monitoring and support to the CKWs


Necessary Qualifications:

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission and understanding of and commitment to development in Africa and agriculture in general.
At least 3 years experience working with farmers in the rural areas, with a proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations in the rural areas
Excellent people skills – ability to manage and solve complex situations related to working with farmers
Proven communication, writing and interpersonal skills
Ability to act as a lead representative of GF and the CKW project in a rural setting
Sufficient knowledge of Microsoft office and mobile phone operations
Ability to promote knowledge transfer through strong mentoring and motivation of CKWs
Enthusiasm and passion for development work in Uganda and the region
Belief in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) for the benefit of small holder farmers –with practical experience.
Commitment to building social and gender equity into program design and approach
Ability to drive or ride motor bike and possession of either assets will be an added advantage
Fluent in oral and written English
Fluent in more than one local language



Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural or Social Science related disciplines is preferred
At least 3 years experience of working in rural areas on rural development projects
Exposure to information and communication technology (ICTs) is preferred



Physical and Environmental Conditions

This position requires the expected demands on physical efforts associated with working in rural areas. This position may require physical effort to walk to farmers homes which are inaccessible by car or motorbike, travel long distances back & forth or work beyond normal office hours to achieve a desired goal. This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of rural work places such as commercial vehicles and therefore the need to observe traffic regulations and signs.
How to Apply:

If interested, please submit in person a typed up-to-date CV and application letter with copies of your academic papers to;

NFT Consult – Uganda,Kisozi Complex, Plot 6/8 Kyaggwe Road, Nakasero
Tel: +256 0414237904 / 24, 0312266904

If applying online, please send an email to grameenjobs@nftconsult.com. ( In the Subject line please indicate the position you are applying for i.e "CKW Recruitment Officer, Community Knowledge Worker (CKW) Project")

Attach your CV and application letter ONLY; please merge them into ONE file in MS word or PDF format.

DO NOT attach scanned academic papers or documents when applying online

Deadline: 2011-05-25