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Goal Uganda

Market Development Officer

Goal Uganda

Uganda Full time Sales & Marketing
Posted: Jul 28, 2026 6 days ago Deadline: Aug 05, 2026 31 views

Job Description

 

Market Development Officer Job at GOAL Uganda

Vacancy Title: Market Development Officer
Organisation: GOAL Uganda
Programme: Integrated and Sustainable Production for Resilient Economies (INSPIRE) Programme
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Professional Services, Agribusiness, Agricultural Services, Development Sector, Nonprofit
Category: Agribusiness, Market Development, Business Operations, Programme Management, Social Development
Duty Station: Buyende District, Uganda
Deadline: Wednesday, 5th August 2026
Salary: Not Disclosed

About GOAL Uganda

GOAL is an international humanitarian and development organisation working to support vulnerable communities and create sustainable solutions that improve livelihoods, resilience, and economic opportunities.
GOAL Uganda, together with consortium partner Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), is implementing the Integrated and Sustainable Production for Resilient Economies (INSPIRE) Programme, a five-year initiative funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala.
The INSPIRE programme aims to build climate-resilient, productive, and environmentally sustainable farming systems while improving income opportunities for 200,000 smallholder farming households (SHFs) across the Busoga and Lango regions.
The programme focuses on:
  • Strengthening social resilience and agency among smallholder farming households and communities.
  • Promoting sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient farming systems.
  • Supporting inclusive markets where smallholder farmers can access inputs, services, finance, and profitable markets.
GOAL Uganda is seeking a skilled and motivated Market Development Officer to support inclusive market development, farmer organisations, private sector partnerships, and agribusiness growth.

Job Summary

The Market Development Officer (MDO) will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring inclusive market development activities under the INSPIRE Programme.
The successful candidate will coordinate district-level implementation activities and provide technical support in developing and scaling inclusive business models involving:
  • Private Sector Actors
  • Entrepreneurial Groups (EGs)
  • Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)
  • Cooperatives
  • SACCOs
  • Farmer Organisations
The role will support the establishment of district-level agribusiness networks that improve access to agricultural inputs, financial services, agro-services, and markets, contributing to increased productivity, food security, and resilience among smallholder farmers.
The Market Development Officer will work as part of the INSPIRE Programme Team and contribute technical expertise in agricultural market systems, climate adaptation, natural resources management, and sustainable farming practices.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Development Planning and Implementation

  • Plan, develop, and implement market development activities within the assigned district.
  • Coordinate with the Market Development Coordinator, Technical Specialists, and local partners.
  • Support implementation of inclusive market development interventions.
  • Monitor progress of market-based activities and ensure achievement of programme objectives.
  • Support development and scaling of inclusive business models.
  • Work with private sector actors to improve agricultural market systems.

2. Supporting Farmer Organisations and Private Sector Actors

  • Support farmer groups, Entrepreneurial Groups, VSLAs, cooperatives, and SACCOs to develop sustainable business models.
  • Strengthen business, technical, and financial capacity of farmer organisations.
  • Provide coaching and mentorship to small and medium enterprises.
  • Support market linkages between farmers and buyers.
  • Promote access to agricultural inputs, services, finance, and markets.
  • Identify opportunities for value addition in crop and livestock sectors.

3. Capacity Building and Training

  • Develop training materials for business development, technical skills, and financial management.
  • Conduct training sessions for project participants and field teams.
  • Coach farmer organisations and private sector partners.
  • Support learning and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
  • Promote adoption of innovative agricultural practices.

4. Partnership Management and Networking

  • Establish and maintain relationships with:
    • Private sector companies
    • Farmer associations
    • Local businesses
    • Government agencies
    • NGOs
    • Financial institutions
    • Development partners
  • Represent GOAL Uganda in district coordination meetings.
  • Collaborate with local government departments and stakeholders.
  • Strengthen partnerships that support smallholder farmers.
  • Participate in stakeholder learning and review meetings.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, Documentation and Reporting

  • Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to collect programme data.
  • Ensure accurate data entry into programme systems including PSA Tracker and CommCare database.
  • Monitor programme outputs and impact.
  • Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
  • Maintain proper documentation and filing systems.
  • Support development of communication materials.
  • Respond to programme information requests when required.

6. Representation and Coordination

  • Act as the focal person for market development partnerships within the assigned district.
  • Liaise with:
    • Local government officials
    • NGOs
    • Civil society organisations
    • Private sector providers
    • Farmer organisations
  • Promote acceptance and sustainability of market-based interventions.
  • Represent GOAL Uganda at relevant external forums.

7. Other Responsibilities

  • Participate in programme planning activities.
  • Build strategic relationships with partners.
  • Support achievement of INSPIRE programme objectives.
  • Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Requirements

Essential Requirements
Applicants must have:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in:
    • Agricultural Sciences
    • Animal Husbandry
    • Development Economics
    • Rural Development
    • Related fields
  • Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with private sector actors.
  • Knowledge and experience in SME business financing.
  • Ability to support and lead small and medium enterprises.
  • Valid motorcycle riding permit and ability to ride a motorcycle.
  • Partnership management skills.
  • Strong understanding of agricultural markets.

Desirable Qualifications

Additional advantages include:
  • Practical experience working with small and medium enterprises.
  • Experience in agricultural sector programmes.
  • Knowledge of market facilitation approaches.
  • Experience promoting systemic market change.
  • Experience supporting agricultural value chains.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Excellent computer literacy.
  • Knowledge of local languages within Buyende District.

Key Skills and Competencies

Market Systems Development
Ability to understand agricultural markets, identify opportunities, and support inclusive business models.
Agribusiness Skills
Knowledge of farming systems, value chains, entrepreneurship, and agricultural business development.
Partnership Management
Ability to build strong relationships with private sector, government, communities, and development partners.
Training and Facilitation Skills
Ability to train, mentor, and coach farmers, businesses, and community groups.
Communication Skills
Strong interpersonal, presentation, and report-writing skills.
Data Management Skills
Ability to collect, analyse, document, and report programme information.
Computer Skills
Proficiency in:
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Data collection tools
  • Digital reporting platforms
Problem Solving
Ability to identify challenges and develop practical solutions.

What to Include in Your CV

Professional Summary
Highlight experience in:
  • Agribusiness development
  • Market systems development
  • Farmer organisation support
  • Private sector engagement
  • Agricultural value chains
  • Rural development
  • Climate-smart agriculture
  • Project implementation
  • Partnership management
Example:
Experienced Market Development and Agribusiness professional with expertise in supporting smallholder farmers, strengthening agricultural value chains, developing private sector partnerships, and implementing inclusive market systems. Skilled in farmer organisation development, business coaching, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and reporting within development programmes.

Work Experience

Include responsibilities such as:
  • Supported agricultural market development projects.
  • Developed partnerships with private sector actors.
  • Strengthened farmer organisations and cooperatives.
  • Conducted business and financial capacity building.
  • Supported agricultural value chain development.
  • Linked farmers to markets and financial services.
  • Conducted field monitoring and reporting.
  • Facilitated community trainings.
  • Managed stakeholder relationships.

Technical Skills

Include:
  • Market Systems Development
  • Agribusiness Development
  • Agricultural Value Chains
  • Farmer Organisation Development
  • Private Sector Engagement
  • SME Business Development
  • Climate-Smart Agriculture
  • Rural Development
  • Partnership Management
  • Training Facilitation
  • Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Report Writing
  • Data Collection
  • Microsoft Office

Career Growth Opportunities

A Market Development Officer can progress into:
  • Senior Market Development Officer
  • Agribusiness Specialist
  • Programme Officer
  • Value Chain Development Specialist
  • Project Manager
  • Agriculture Programme Coordinator
  • Market Systems Advisor
  • Development Consultant

Market Development Officer Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is market systems development?
Answer:
Market systems development focuses on improving the way markets function by addressing barriers, strengthening relationships between market actors, and creating sustainable opportunities for businesses and communities.
2. How would you support smallholder farmers to access markets?
Answer:
I would strengthen farmer organisations, connect farmers with buyers and service providers, improve production quality, support value addition, and build partnerships with private sector actors.
3. How would you engage private sector partners?
Answer:
I would identify businesses that provide relevant services, understand their needs, develop mutually beneficial partnerships, and support collaboration that improves market opportunities for farmers.
4. Why is climate-resilient agriculture important?
Answer:
Climate-resilient agriculture helps farmers manage environmental challenges, improve productivity, protect natural resources, and maintain sustainable livelihoods despite climate-related risks.




About Company

Goal Uganda

Goal Uganda

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Job Overview

  • Job Type: Full time
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Education Level: Bachelors
  • Vacancies: 1
  • Category: Sales & Marketing
  • Location: Uganda
  • Application: External Website

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