Consultant-BDS for Farmer Group Enterprise (FGE) job at Palladium | Apply Now

Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) Component 1 is a four-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. It consists of three sub-components: 1A - Market Systems Development, 1B – Uganda Climate Innovation Fund, and 1C -Ecosystems Services. Component 1 seeks to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately improve the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers (SHFs) are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints. Mitigating these effects is central to the programme’s approach.



The constraints SHFs face in improving agricultural productivity and income levels include limited access to inputs for crops and livestock, poor soil and water management, limited access to an efficient distribution model for climate-resilient varieties, limited access to affordable extension services for both livestock and crop, weak engagement between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and research institutions, high incidence of pests/parasites and diseases for crops and livestock, uncertainty in seasonality (unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spell, spatial distribution of rainfall), limited access to affordable on-farm mechanisation services), and weak market access and value addition.



CSJ intends to work with market actors to trigger change in the market system in a way that enables SHFs to gain increased access to affordable, quality input products and services, in turn increasing their incomes and ability to adapt and become resilient to the effect of climate change.



This TOR focuses on the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) in the form of Business Development Services (BDS) for CSJ’s Farmer Group Enterprises (FGEs).

Background to the Assignment
FGEs are a collective of between 2 and 20 farmers who share business interests and common objectives. They form an enterprise to address a constraint in a value chain of interest to them, resolving the issue first for themselves as FGE members (and its first customers) and the wider community. FGEs empower farmers to function as independent private businesses thereby offering a pathway out of poverty and the impacts of climate change on smallholder livelihoods. In March 2024 CSJ set out to select 9 FGEs in its initial cohort. These would be selected equally across livestock, post-harvest handling, and mechanisation interventions on the programme. 10 FGEs committed to forming and require immediate support to see them through these initial phases.

To adequately support the establishment and growth of FGEs at this crucial start-up stage, BDS providers are required to submit expressions of interest to CSJ for this role.

Objectives of the Assignment
CSJ requires the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Consultants to provide BDS to FGEs in the West Nile, Lango and Acholi subregions as well as in Kiryandongo. BDS providers will be used on call-down basis and must have enterprise development expertise including training and capacity-building of smallholder farmer groups (e.g., SACCOs, VSLAS, Co-operatives, etc). The preferred providers will deliver training aimed at equipping FGEs with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently develop, manage, and grow their enterprises. They will also be expected to provide tailored and targeted ongoing support throughout the different growth stages of these enterprises. CSJ intends to equip local experts to train the initial cohort of FGEs after which significant demand by other farmers is forecasted to form additional FGEs. This will hopefully see the establishment of BDS providers as an integral part to the transformation of smallholder farming livelihoods through well-structured and well-supported FGEs.