Partner Development Specialist, Community Knowledge Worker Job in Uganda at Grameen Foundation

Vacancy: Partner Development Specialist, Community Knowledge Worker
REPORT TO: Partnership Manager
Location: Kampala
Country: Uganda
Job Description (Duties):



Job Summary: The Partner Development Specialist (PDS) will be a member of the Partner Relations team and will participate in developing the overall CKW partnership approach. The Partner Development Specialist will oversee at least two major partner accounts and provide support to other partnerships as needed. Working closely with the CKW Network and Information Services Team, the Partner Development Specialist will draft project plans and contribute to the design of mobile information services and surveys. The PDS will be responsible for tracking and reporting on progress to partners and various stakeholders and will play a central role in setting and maintaining partner expectations. Through the use of innovative technologies, the PDS will help build creative solutions to overcome some of the biggest challenges in reaching smallholder farmers with the goal of increasing their incomes and building a sustainable organization with the capacity to impact thousands.


Duties and Responsibilities:

Evaluate and on-board CKW network partners

Identify, vet and develop partnerships with high potential partners
Conduct comprehensive analysis of partner strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and weigh potential for potential for partner to contribute to sustainability and impact goals
Own at least two major CKW network partnership accounts and provide support to additional partnerships as needed
Conduct initial due-diligence and draft legal terms sheets for partnerships
Prepare ambitious but achievable project plan for each partnership account and lead effort to optimize resources, maximize impact to farmers, and set clear stakeholder expectations
Develop partner project budgets, reporting framework, and monitoring and evaluation plans

Provide on-going relationship management

Deepen relationships, leverage strengths and understand needs of local partners and manage key stakeholder relationships
Regularly meet and communicate with partners to implement project and ensure partner needs are met and expectations maintained
Liaise with partner, range of stakeholders, CKWs, farmers, and CKW team to guide and oversee project implementation
Develop and disseminate written and visual communications to stakeholders that highlight project achievements
Work with CKW Network and Information Services teams to develop training and marketing materials and information services that meet partner specifications
Lead development, management and convening of partnership coverage teams for two partner accounts

Conduct monitoring and reporting

Develop success metrics and report regularly on progress to CKW team and partner
Conduct field assessments, focus group discussions, and other outreach visits to solicit feedback and understand project progress and challenges
Develop strategy and follow escalation plans to address obstacles to achieving goals or unmet partner expectations
Track and report on partner project budgets
Develop reports and other materials to share project learning


Necessary Qualifications:

Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission and understanding of and commitment to agricultural development in Africa
Strong time management skills with ability to manage multiple work-streams simultaneously with proven track record of achievement under pressure
Excellent people skills – ability to present to a board of executives and also lead discussion with a farmer’s group in a rural village; proven ability to work effectively with diverse partners
Outstanding commitment to teamwork and ability to work collaboratively across organizations, to promote knowledge transfer within GF, and equally willing to support or lead a discussion, negotiation, or training
Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills with commitment to listening and serving diverse range of CKW clients
Ability to represent GF in discussions with partners
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills with ability to serve partner needs while promoting GF mission; creative problem solver who can identify and achieve shared objectives under challenging conditions and diffuse charged situations
Proven analytical and quantitative skills with ability to layer multiple and disparate variables into cohesive strategy
Strong strategic thinker who thinks innovatively and creatively to solve unstructured problems
An entrepreneurial spirit
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and mobile phones
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
Commitment to building social and gender equity into program design and approach.


Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, Business, or related field. Master’s Degree preferred
At least 3 years related experience in international development, with smallholder farmers, or managing accounts in the private sector
Experience working in agricultural development in developing countries, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa
Experience in information and communication technology (ICTs) preferred
Fluency in oral and written English; preference for fluency in at least one local language


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 "Partner Development Specialist, Community Knowledge Worker ")

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: 2011-08-31