Organization(s): The Mitchell Group
Apply by: 20 February 2010

Description:
The Mitchell Group, Inc. (TMG) of Washington DC is seeking short-term consultants with expertise in agricultural development and trade, rural development, poverty reduction, nutrition and gender, to assist USAID/Uganda to design programs to increase Uganda’s agricultural growth and expand staple food supply. The purpose of the assignment is to design new programs under the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative (GHFSI). Its core investment areas include increasing agricultural productivity; reducing trade and transport barriers; promoting sound market-based principles for agriculture; accelerating participation of the very poor in rural growth; improving climate change and natural resource management; improving nutrition for women and children; and increasing effectiveness of humanitarian assistance.

The team will be comprised of six expatriate experts who are also presently being recruited, and four Ugandan experts.  The consultancy is expected to require three to six weeks in-country and will take place between May and June 2010.

TMG is looking for individuals to fulfill the following roles on this design team:

1. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERT (CCN)
This team member will have technical expertise in a wide range of agriculture and agribusiness issues including the following areas:

• Agribusiness and agricultural commercialization issues in the region and in Uganda in particular.
• Farm level productivity and production in the region and in Uganda in particular.
• Post harvest handling and market access in the region and in Uganda in particular.
• Best practices with respect to producer, marketing, and export associations and organizations.

2. AGRICULTURAL TRADE EXPERT (CCN)
This team member will have expertise in depth understanding of Uganda’s agribusiness enabling environment, enterprise competitiveness, domestic and regional trade impediments including transport, finance and market information; regional coordination and harmonization issues including standards, tariff and tax structures; and domestic issues of coordination among government, private sector, and development partners. This team member shall be familiar with the WTO, ACP-EU, AGOA framework, processes and action plans of key regional trade agreements and protocols particularly under COMESA, SADC, EAC, and have in-depth understanding of export diversification and competitiveness issues in Africa, particularly in Uganda. 

3. RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY EXPERT (CCN)
This team member will have expertise and in depth understanding of rural development strategies particularly those targeting the very poor and vulnerable. The team member will be very conversant with Uganda’s poverty issues and development agenda as contained in the NDP.

4. GENDER AND NUTRITION EXPERT (CCN)
This team member will have expertise and in depth understanding the national/ regional food policy and food security issues, particularly as they affect women, children, and the youth.

Qualified applicants should submit their CV to recruitment@the-mitchellgroup.com
Please refer to “Ugandan Expert-Insert Subject Area” in the subject line.
Only finalists will be contacted. No telephone inquiries, please.