Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer [Entry Level]
BACKGROUND
Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC: www.adc.ug) is a company limited by Guarantee established in 2017 through a partnership between dfcu Bank (Uganda) and Rabo Foundation (Netherlands) (ADC Investment members).
ADC drives value through a tailored capacity enhancement model focused on 4 key thematic areas and supplement cross cutting themes. ADC’s four thematic areas include:
- Organizational strengthening. Strengthen governance structure and accountability systems through training in governance and leadership.
- Financial management. Strengthen management skills of FBOs in general principles of financial literacy through training in financial literacy.
- Improved access to markets. Strengthen marketing capacity of FBOs.
- Price Risk Management: Equipping Coffee and Cocoa FBOs with knowledge tools, and skills to understand and mitigate price risks in the international market.
And Cross cutting themes:
- Gender and youth
- Green growth
- Integration of good agronomy practices
Vision
The preferred partner in promoting Self Sufficiency in target customer segments towards Agricultural Transformation in Uganda.
Mission
We offer our chosen market segment capacity building, business accelerator opportunities and facilitate relevant linkages through innovations and collaborations to grow, build and promote a prospect of a sustainable future.
Core Values
ADC is committed to upholding the following values:
- Client Value Creation– Empowering clients to become high performers in their enterprises.
- Respect for the Individual– Valuing diversity and unique contributions.
- Innovativeness-New technologies, approaches, and creating viable solutions for clients.
- Integrity – Remaining ethically steadfast to inspire trust.
- Sustainability– Building resilient and self-sufficient enterprises.
- Professionalism-Building, collaboration and learning for exceptional service delivery.
POSITION SUMMARY
ADC is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer (ME&L Officer).
Under the overall direction of the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager, the ME&L Officer will work with the programme team to support implementation of the M&E function, and data management systems. This includes working closely with the other technical staff in ensuring timely, data collection, validation, documentation, analysis and dissemination of information to track progress and support delivery of ADC’s Strategic Objectives.
The ME&L Officer will support monitoring of field activities and resource utilization on a regular basis to ensure efficiency, effective implementation and coherence of team activity plans to approved budgets.
The ME&L Officer will be support in the aggregation and development of high-quality reports including monthly, quarterly and annual activity reports from the different departments and regional advisors as well as Field Monitoring and subsequent Assessments.
M&E Officer is expected to maintain the ADC Monitoring and Evaluation System/database, and will be responsible for the collection, validation, collation, analysis documentation and storage of different datasets in relation to the programme activities.
The ME&L Officer will be stationed at the ADC Head Office in Kampala to serve the ADC across the country with frequent travel to the field.
Roles and Responsibilities
Under direct supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, the ME&L officer will have the following duties and responsibilities:
PROJECT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
- Support in the development of detailed workplans for the ME&L department to foster efficiency and effectiveness.
- Ensure Timely delivery of planned project activities by identifying and documenting challenges, lessons learned and adjusting as needed to ensure success.
- Provide Support to the ME&L Manager in capacity development of the team and agents in the Monitoring and Evaluation function through identifying capacity needs for Quality report writing, research, data entry, analysis and management, and system management among others.
- Contribute to the refinement of ADC onboarding and data collection tools
MANAGING PROJECT RESOURCES
Provide support in the Monitoring of expenditures of the department, and of field-based teams including agents to ensure compliance with approved budgets and enhance cost effectiveness.
MONITORING
- Conduct routine monitoring of ADC clients across the country.
- Develop research and monitoring tools to facilitate comprehensive assessment of activity progress.
- Review, conduct data cleaning and validate physical field-based data forms against entries onto the digital Monitoring and Evaluation System on a weekly basis.
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Support in Conducting stakeholder mapping of actors and potential partners in the private sector, government, civil society and any other sector relevant for the ADC program.
COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING
- Receive and process official requests for data and information; internally and from external stakeholders.
- Share progress reports to provide periodic project feedback for key stakeholders.
- Ensure effective communication to key internal and external teams.
- Document and share widely successes and failures for learning.
- Attend relevant workshops, conferences, seminars, expos that would contribute to ADCs knowledge scope.
- Contribute to knowledge management of the ADC; Document lessons from activities, events, surveys and assessments to support proactive decision making and planning.
Other duties as may be assigned by the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager.
Competencies and skills
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Excellent analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and make sound judgment.
- Strong relations management abilities and diplomatic skills
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions and results-oriented
- Presentation skills.
- Report writing capabilities and communication skills.
- Able and willing to work independently
- Demonstrable skills in Management Information Systems [MIS] for learning.
Experience
At least 3 years of experience in the design and implementation of M&E/MIS in development projects as well as experience in resource mobilization leaning to Agricultural sector development.
Specific requirements include:
- Expertise in Evaluation of Agribusiness and or Agricultural led projects, international development, finance, economics or related field of study.
- Demonstrated Experience in successful resource mobilization for capacity development interventions.
- Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of high-quality reports;
- Proven ICT skills, especially in the conceptualization, utilization and maintenance of Management Information Systems using Monitoring Visualization, and database software;
- Expertise in analyzing data using statistical software;
- Robust Capacity building & facilitation skills.
- Unwavering commitment to data-driven program monitoring & evaluation.
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Finance and or Economics or related studies from an accredited college or university is required. A Post Graduate, especially in Monitoring and Evaluation is an added advantage.
Language
Fluency in written and spoken English a must, good knowledge and understanding of at least two local language is an added advantage.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
This is an entry level position that requires basic M&E competency.
Interested candidates are required to submit their Cover letter, CV and a recent passport size photograph by the 18/03/2022, 5:00pm by email to the ADC Administrator: Jannet Nongom, Jannet.Nongom@adc.ug
or
Physically to:
Agribusiness Development Center
Plot 1 Mackinnon Road
P.O Box 70 Kampala (U)
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further deliberations.
N.B: If you do not hear from us after 2 weeks of the deadline, consider your application unsuccessful.
“We are an equal opportunity employer for this we encourage all to apply”
SOMA, an e-leaning solution for farmers
By Katia Mugenzi
The Agribusiness Business Development (ADC) powered by DFCU bank and Rabo Foundation offers Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) trainings in good governance, financial literacy, marketing, and price risk management. ADC has trained 114 Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) with over 8042 farmers in the East, West, Central and Northern region. Our goal is to train 375 Farmers Based organizations by 2022; with SOMA, we shall be able to reach our goal.
SOMA is an eLearning platform which was developed based on an identified learning gap; mismatch between demand of learning services and the capacity of the ADC to match this demand in the physical and high cost of carrying out one on one classroom trainings for each individual farmer. Developing the eLearning is an opportunity to bridge the gap between demand and supply of the ADC technical services at a cost-effective way. It is designed to be a self-based learning where members can access the system, register for accounts, and choose any courses they may wish to learn and gain skills on.
With SOMA we shall be able to render a unique learning experience to users through a variety of content mainly in the categories of video, graphics, audio, and text. We plan to reach over 10,000 + farmers remotely by 2022.
SOMA will give the farmers the opportunity for education without the restrictions of time or location. This is going to solve the challenge of gender imbalance since most women miss the lessons due to other home obligations. Furthermore, some learners prefer working at their own pace and prefer not to restrict their learning to a specific location, this will help the farmers save on transport to go to learning centers.
ADC’s long plan is to establish learning centers or hubs in different Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) where farmers can be able to come take lessons in their own time of convenience. When a farmer registers for a lesson and starts learning, the system offers the learner resume capabilities that is; they can always stop and later continue from where they last stopped.
The other uniqueness of SOMA is that it offers a certificate for each course completed. The fact that most of the farmers we are training are semi illiterate; this is also a motivation for them to complete these lessons. A farmer who has completed these lessons is at an advantage of being able to do business with financial Institutions, buyers, and processors.
It goes without mention that the COVID 19 has compelled most business to include technology in their activities, farmers are the back bone of this country therefore there is need for them to adopt real quick and ADC is here to support them.
To access the platform, go to www.soma.adc.ug or email us for assistance info@adc.ug
The realities of eLearning for Agriculture in Uganda
By Priscilla Basemera
At 10 am, on the bright Wednesday morning of 29th July, Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC) at their offices on Plot 1 Mackinnon Road, launched SOMA, the first e-learning platform of its kind in Uganda with a press conference.
There are a few e-learning options available for agriculture professionals predominantly in the United States and in some parts of Asia but not in Uganda. Internet searches for e-learning platforms provide search results to student learning portals but not farmer knowledge.
SOMA, a self-paced online portal has been developed and tailored to the needs of individual farmers and farmer-based organizations. The General Manager of ADC, Emmanuel Obuko, during the launch remarked that with the low literacy levels in Uganda, adapting technology in agriculture has been difficult.
DRIVING FARMER LITERACY
Agricultural development in a changing world is not only dependent on constantly improving existing practices but also on the adoption of innovations like SOMA.
SOMA takes into consideration the different possibilities e-learning has to offer. It incorporates allowing learners an opportunity to access the available courses within their respective geographical locations at a time convenient for them at no cost. With agriculture being Uganda’s most important export sector, several factors including limited availability of finance, lack of access to timely and quality market information as well as poor agricultural practices to mention but a few are an obstacle. ADC, with a desire of training farmers in becoming self-sufficient developed SOMA to provide knowledge in areas such as Good Governance, Financial Literacy and Marketing.
WHY FARMERS?
ADC was established in 2017 by Rabo Foundation, a Netherlands based organization and Dfcu Bank in Uganda. With agriculture being the backbone of Uganda and employing 70% of Ugandans, the ADC through training aims to support farmer-based organizations in becoming self-sufficient and bankable. In a means to create professional development opportunities for agriculture practitioners, ADC creates innovative ideas that are effective and efficient for farmers in Uganda to earn a living enough to sustain their families as well.
The first steps of e-learning in agriculture have been taken in countries like Asia by the Asia – Pacific Regional Technology Centre (APRTC) in Thailand. Fully exploiting electronic media and maximizing its usefulness while creating a well-designed electronic training system for learners.
The online programs available on SOMA are designed to engage the learners and avail learning resources in the form of case studies for their benefit. Lessons are available in English, Luganda, Luo, and Runyakitara. The choice is simply yours.
Maximization of online opportunities with SOMA Digital Campaign
By Priscilla Basemera
With the existence of the global pandemic COVID-19 and its impact on business activities, Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC) utilized the internet as a link to farmers, farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and the general public who have been spending most of their time at home and on their smartphones.
Online channels have been an ideal way of raising awareness of activities that businesses are indulging in during the ongoing pandemic. ADC through a digital campaign labeled “Register to Win” launched SOMA, an e-learning platform specific to agribusiness on its social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SOMA can be accessed on www.soma.adc.ug.
The main aim of this campaign was to encourage people to sign-up for lessons on the SOMA platform. The 1st 10 people to register each week were hosted at the ADC offices in Kampala on Plot 1 Mackinnon Road for an interaction with the ADC Team and in appreciation of their efforts parted with a gift hamper. This campaign ran for 4 weeks bringing in a total of 40 winners.
From the 40 winners, only 14 were within Kampala during the campaign and shared their experience with SOMA upon their visit to the ADC offices. These 14 winners comprised of students, farmers, teachers and businessmen to mention but a few.
At this gathering, the ADC Team was represented by the Ag. General Manager, Emmanuel Obuko; Head of Communication and Marketing, Katia Mugenzi and Software Engineer, William Ssenyondo who developed the SOMA platform.
To catch a glimpse of what some of the winners had to say about SOMA, visit https://youtu.be/xLfY7k_1zH8
CONGRATS TO OUR WINNERS.
We thank you for registering and participating in our digital campaign.
- Richard Musamali, Kampala
- Rwabyerwa Jimmy, Fortportal
- Angus Nassasira, Kiwatule
- Stephen Ifulaimu Hiire, Kabale
- Weere Asuman,Mbale
- Musinguzi Norman, Muyenga
- Martijn Harlaar, Kampala
- Dick Midamba, Gulu
- Kwagala Phoebe, Kampala
- Dennis Chesang, Kpachorwa
- Francis Mugisha, Mbarara
- Bryan Timothy, Lyantonde
- Apio Angella Josephine, Makerere
- Ronald Babikanyisa, Kansanga
- Dan Busobozi, Mukono
- Patrick Kato, Kisasi
- Ampaire Dick, Kabale
- Julius Izza Tabi, Arua
- Katungi Cyprian Junior, Kampala
- Samuel Okello, Gulu
- Katana Daniel, Kiryandongo
- Adong Patricia, Lira
- Derrick Rubaramira, Bugolobi
- Henry Samuel Mwesigwa, Mukono
- Alexander Ruhweza, Kampala
- Nkesiga Esau, Nsambya
- Aloysius Ssendegeya, Wandegeya
- Kristina Victoria Nnanyange, Kyengera
- Mutai Evans, Bukwo
- Kisa Lawrence, Lira
- Marion Musingunzi, Nalya
- Jonathan Kyanda, Fortportal
- Daisy Anne Namono, Mukono
- Kubiriba Asaph Nahabwe, Ntungamo
- Nathan Ssebunya, Kawanda
- Sserunkuma Moses, Kawempe
- Asuman Jahazi, Gayaza Road
- Wanume Paul, Kamuli
- Stephen Magambo, Kawempe
- Rwomithio Brian, Naguru
How to apply to join SOMA
#1. Front-End Process
SOMA is a web based application that be accessed from either computers, laptops and smart mobile devices over the internet and access is by typing the application address into your browser www.soma.adc.ug
To access the application lessons, a user must be registered with an account. Upon registration, a user can access and enroll for any selected course of choice and start learning. The learning process involves steps that a user undertakes and at the end a user receives a certificate.
#2. Backend Process
The application runs on a 3-tier architecture where we have clients (browsers, server (files storage and page rendering) and a data store. This infrastructure is cloud based.
APPLICATION FEATURES
The application has the following features:
1. Registration/Sign up
A user accesses SOMA and registers for an account by clicking “START COURSE” button then click on Register tab to show the “Register for an account”. Upon successful registration, user receives both an email & SMS text with his/her account details.
2. Module/Course Enrollment
Once logged in, a user can enroll for any module/course of choice by clicking “START COURSE” as the selected course is added to his/her account.
3. Course Overview
User has access to course sessions and details and can view a summary of each session under the course.
4. Course Lesson
Users can access lesson content i.e. video, text, graphic as they learn and get to make them complete if they are done understanding the lesson.
5. Forums
Interactive messaging for users within a course to enable discussions. There is also a chat box where you can ask a question to the ADC business advisors.
What you need to know about SOMA
SOMA supports a variety of content mainly in these categories: – video, graphics, audio, and text to render a unique learning experience to users.
Product Description
The ADC e-learning is a web based (internet based/ powered) self-learning platform that allows for users (unique compared with other eLearning platforms in simplicity), mainly individual farmers, farmer-based organization management and farmer members who belong to FBO to access learning resources (governance and leadership, financial literacy and management and marketing) virtually. The e-learning is designed on a self-based learning methodology where members can access the system, register for accounts, and choose any courses they may wish to learn and gain skills on.
Overall Goal
The main goal of the platform is to give a learning opportunity to FBOs and members the ADC cannot reach in the physical to self-learn by accessing the different resources available on the platform remotely.
Objectives
► Improve on the efficiency and effectiveness of how training services are delivered to the ADC set target (FBOs; producer cooperatives, marketing cooperatives, SACCOs engaged in SMEs)
► Foster self-paced learning at own convenience for both FBOs and individual farmers in ADC hard to reach areas at a minimal cost.
► Increase the ADC training capacity: currently trained 7,563, we want to reach over 100,000+ farmers remotely.
► Collect relevant data (feedback and FAQs) from the learners to be able to improve learner materials on the platform.
Misusing money
“The Simu+ has not only helped me as a person but also my business. I am right now encouraging other people to finish the training so that they know how to do bookkeeping and avoid misusing money”
NALUGOTTI CISSY
Farmer
Our portfolio has grown to Shs. 5 Billion
“We have seen our growth through the training’s ADC has been giving us. We started working with Raba Foundation 5-year back with our first loan of 250 million which increased our net income and mobilized more members however most of the members we serve are illiterate about finance so we needed ADC to train the farmers we work with so that they are able to pay back their loans but most importantly for the farmers to be able to expand their businesses.
“We recently got another loan from Rabobank foundation as a SACCO of 1 billion which has lifted our portfolio to five billion and our members are now financial literate. Robert Mugabi is one of our members who has received agriculture loans over ten times from our SACCO and also getting training form ADC”
JANET KYASIMIRE,
Kigarama People’s Cooperative Saving & Credit Society
SOMA can change lives
With SOMA, Now I know that savings come first, then you invest them and after that you can track your income”
APIO ANGELLA JOSEPHINE
Ovacado Farmer, Buikwe
I now get Ugx 6million per month
“I first got Ugx. 10million then Ugx. 25million. I pay monthly on a 2.7 % interest in reducing balance. I keep my records and keenly follow my loan repayment and I also know how much I have put in my farm just like I was taught by ADC, so it is easier for me to repay the loan.
I have never defaulted my loan, I pay promptly. I recently applied for Ugx. 30million to develop a new plantation and a tree plantation so that the trees can help me to deal with hailstorm and the like. When the banana is at its peak, I get 6 million per month, for example this month I harvested thrice because it is the season.”
ROBERT MUGABE,
Kigarama People’s Cooperative Saving & Credit Society
