Senior Project Officer - Private Sector Engagement and Markets

About the role

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Uganda is hiring a Senior Project Officer for its Forest Flavors initiative, a 3-year project (FY26-FY29) that uses a market systems development and private-sector-led approach to strengthen inclusive, commercially viable and nature-positive agroforestry value chains, initially focusing on coffee, cocoa, vanilla and spices. Based in the Kampala office, the role coordinates and supports implementation of activities under the Church Lands and Private Sector Engagement (CL3) project, working with dioceses, private sector actors, smallholders and service providers. It is a technical coordination role with no direct supervisory responsibilities, open to Ugandan nationals only.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and implement assigned activities in line with annual workplans, budgets and program quality standards, mapping and onboarding private sector actors and co-creating business models.
• Coordinate technical assistance and business development support for private sector partners, MSMEs and dioceses, and follow up on agreed actions.
• Ensure gender equality, youth inclusion and social inclusion are considered in partner diagnostics, business models and access to finance.
• Follow up with partners, document bottlenecks and agree corrective actions, and support portfolio reviews and learning.
• Represent the project in technical meetings with private sector actors, service providers, financial institutions, government and Church stakeholders.
• Monitor expenditure against budgets, flag risks early and support procurement, logistics and technical assistance planning.
• Compile progress updates, evidence of milestones and inputs to project reports, and keep complete documentation of partner engagement, business cases and case studies.

Required profile

• Ugandan nationality only; applications reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline of 20 November 2026.
• Fluent English, oral and written; fluency in a local Central, Western or Northern language is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• Deep commitment to land restoration.

Required skills

• Analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment.
• Relationship management and ability to work closely with local partners.
• Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness.