Food Rights Alliance

Category: News Release

  • PRE-QUALIFICATION CALL FOR BIDS FOR FYI 2023/ 2024 (INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE PROVIDERS)

    Food Rights Alliance is driven by a vision of a world free from Hunger and Malnutrition and pursuing a mission of promoting the realization of the right to food in Uganda through strengthening sustainable farming systems and improving food and nutrition Justice.

    Through her membership FRA implements activities across the country and beyond. Food Rights Alliance is hereby calling for applications from suitable companies to provide Internal Audit Services for the year 2023 and 2024.

    Interested bidders should download and fill either FORM ‘A’ for registered entities  FORM ‘A’ 

    Please view and download the Pre-qualification Advert HERE (link)

    All interested bidders should hand deliver their filled application forms and the respective pre-qualification requirements to FOOD RIGHTS ALLIANCE, Plot 82 Muteesa 1 Road

    All Bids should be sealed and addressed to: Procurement Committee, FOOD RIGHTS ALLIANCE, Plot 82 Muteesa 1 Road P.O. Box 5796 Kampala. For more information, please contact us on Tel: 07 06-535722 or 0788-104782.

    The deadline for receiving the bids is on 15th August 2023 at 5:00PM and bidders are required
    to pay a non-refundable fee of UGX 50,000/= at the time of submission which will be
    receipted.
    The confirmed pre-qualified service providers shall be contracted for a period of two years:
    2023 and 2024, from the date of confirmation.

  • How COVID-19 Impacted on our Livelihood Sources in Uganda. A survey by FRA and Twaweza East Africa

    By Gloria Acayo, Program Officer Food Governance

    Among many new challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic is the need to protect livelihoods and the economy from the negative effects of lockdown. The lockdown in Uganda is a key part of the national response to the outbreak, and has thus far been highly effective at limiting the impact on people’s health and lives. And yet, when people are asked to stay at home as much as possible, and when transport networks are suspended along with schools, offices, shops and many other businesses, citizens’ livelihoods can suffer from unprecedented strain.

    Without work, income drops. Without income, accessing essential products such as food can become difficult. This itself can affect public health. It is important, therefore, that the effects of lockdown on citizens’ livelihoods are monitored as closely as the spread of the virus.

    In that regard FRA and Twaweza East Africa undertook a survey entitled “Livelihoods under COVID-19: Citizens’ experiences of food and livelihoods amid the Coronavirus outbreak” the purpose of the survey was to explore the impact of the COVIC 19 on livelihood.

    This report presents data on Ugandan citizens’ experiences and views on matters of food, farming and livelihoods under the COVID-19 outbreak. How are citizens’ work lives changing? How are their eating habits and household spending changing? Have they noticed changes in the availability of food? What agricultural activities are they engaged in, and what challenges do they face in doing so? And what coping strategies do citizens have access to in case of struggles for money or food?

    According to estimates, 85% of the population did some work paid and unpaid during the lockdown. In the rural areas the number of those who did some work stood at 87% compared to 80% in the urban areas. But 10% of the population in urban areas will have no work to go back to after the lockdown. Thirty-nine percent (39%) will depend on friends and family while the elderly and women hope to solely depend on others for survival.

    Forty-one percent (41%) of those operating retail and non-agricultural businesses are no-longer operating of which 27% are completely suspended. Twenty-six percent (26%) reported that their income is insufficient to cover their basic daily needs and those that were surviving on 14,600 per day have reduced to 10,300 in the urban areas while in the rural areas those that were spending 13,100 have reduced to 12,300. Only 12% received support during the lockdown at 24% in the urban areas and 7% in the rural areas. The rich received more support at 16% compared to the poor at 10%.

    “Interest yourself to discover more of what has been happening in the country during the lock down”

                                                 

     

     

     

    Source: FRA Study Report

     

  • FRA CALL FOR BIDS FOR YEAR 2020 – 2022

    Food Rights Alliance is calling for applications from suitable companies and individuals to participate in a Supplier vetting process for the year 2020 and 2022.

    Please view and download the Pre-qualification Advert HERE (link)

    Interested bidders should download and fill either FORM ‘A’ (link) for registered entities or FORM ‘B’  (link) for Individual proprietors.

    All interested bidders should hand deliver their filled application forms and the respective pre-qualification requirements to FOOD RIGHTS ALLIANCE, Plot 82 Muteesa 1 Road

    All Bids should be sealed and addressed to: Procurement Committee, FOOD RIGHTS ALLIANCE, Plot 82 Muteesa 1 Road P.O. Box 5796 .For more information please contact us onTel: 0706-535722 or 0788-104782.

    The deadline for receiving the bids is 10th July 2020 at 17:00hrs and bidders are required to pay a non-refundable fee of Shs 50,000/= at the time of submission which will be receipted.

  • Why Water Resource Management Matters for Sustainable Urban Food Security

    Why Water Resource Management Matters for Sustainable Urban Food Security

    By Lucky Brian Wamboka

    On 26th May, 2020, FRA co-organized a webinar with CEFROHT, Kabarole Research and Resource Center (KRC), CURAD and Slow Foods Uganda under the theme “Urban food self-sufficiency; lessons learnt from nasty experiences of COVID 19 responses”.

    Supported by OXFAM in Uganda, Hivos and Trocaire; the meeting intended to dig into the plight of urban dwellers in regard to how secure, resilient and sufficient the urban food systems are during and after a crisis like the COVID 19 pandemic. The deliberations were meant to inform decisions made by policy makers both at local and national level to ensure food and nutrition security seizes being an issue of emergency during and after this crisis.

    The meeting attracted over 77 stakeholders including representatives from Local Governments, civil society, researchers, media and academia among others. The meeting also attracted stakeholders from different countries including USA, Italy, UK, Germany, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, South Africa, Cameroon and Ethiopia. It was broadcasted live on Kabarole Research and Resource Center (KRC) 102 FM and streamed live on the FRA Facebook platform.

    Water plays an important role in food security and in contributing towards a strong food system in rural and urban areas. It is key for increasing food production and farm income and improves resilience against weather variability though it can also affect food security and nutrition through other pathways. The fact that food and water are the first line and front line defenders of human security amidst the COVID19 pandemic, it is paramount to build resilience of urban cities in preparation for related future emergencies. As predicted by the World Health Organization that COVID 19 might stay for some time, water and food related issues need to be addressed holistically as they are potential threats towards achieving food security and long-term sustainability of food production systems especially in urban areas.

    In his presentation during the meeting, Kimera Henry Richard who is the Executive Director of CONSENT and the FRA Board Treasurer noted that COVID 19 has done a very good audit on Uganda’s food sector and has revealed how weak the country’s food system is and how it is affecting equally the poor and the rich. Kimera noted that food safety should be mainstreamed in every national agenda and it is a shared responsibility that calls for collective planning and effective coordination among all MDAs. He added that government should also prioritize and promote sustainable agricultural policies and practices, conservation of biodiversity, soils, and water resource utilization that facilitate food production.

    Whereas there seems to be limited access to land and water for agricultural production in urban cities, Immaculate Sekitto from World Vision explained that people in urban areas need to adopt simple technologies to harvest rain water and sustainably use this to irrigate their crops within the confined areas. Kimera Henry Richard shared his experience that he has managed to harvest water and sustainably managed it by recycling the waste water to irrigate his vegetables and it has greatly contributed to food production within his home.

    Agnes Kirabo, the Executive Director of FRA noted that people living in urban areas mainly consider water as a facilitator for improved sanitation and hygiene. She added that “all investments on water in urban areas are geared towards sanitation and hygiene. There is need to put up force of advocacy to ensure that another form of investment facilitates infrastructural development for water for agricultural production in urban areas to ensure improved food production.” This will also reduce over dependency of urban cities on food produced by rural farmers.

    Mohammed Ahamed Sharif the Executive Director of KRC presented that with the high cost of water in urban areas, water resorces should be used sustainably. Currently KRC is working towards supporting farmers through encouraging them to adopt water for agricultural production technologies that are cheaper to enable farmers in urban areas with confined areas to produce food throughout the year whether in dry or wet season. The technologies include use of rain water harvesting tanks and simple irrigation materials among others.

    The COVID 19 outbreak has revealed that there is no enough food to adequately sustain urban cities. Strengthening urban agriculture is vital and it should be strongly linked to how water resources are managed and used. Water resources are critical for creating resilient and sustainable urban food systems. This calls for increased investments in infrastructure for water for agricultural production, strengthening institutional capacity of the MDAs, effective and collaborative implementation of related government policies to overcome daunting challenges.

    If water resources are properly managed amidst the competing water demands and pandemics like COVID 19, it will be possible for the urban population to independently meet their current and future food and water needs.

  • Rural Women in Agriculture Share their Voices Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

    Rural Women in Agriculture Share their Voices Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

    By Luck Brian Wamboka

    On 21st May, 2020, FRA with partners organized a webinar under the theme “Rural women who feed the world speak out: The Impact of COVID 19 on rural women’s productive capacity in the agricultural sector”.

    The meeting aimed at creating space for rural women as the primary food producers to voice out on the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to feed the world and ground the economy on firm ground to recovery. It also aimed at generating and documenting real life experiences of rural women in agriculture amidst the COVID-19 pandemic; coping strategies that can be adopted to buffer the impact of shocks faced by these women even after the pandemic; and be used as cases to influence policy process for improved food and nutrition security.

    It was also a space for rural women farmers with experience in livestock production, poultry, food vending and crop growing to speak out on the state of food production and productivity in terms of challenges and opportunities amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. The identified rural women farmers were mostly those who live in areas facing climate change emergencies such as floods and droughts. These experiences contributed to the enrichment of the discussion.

    Sustainable food supply in Uganda greatly depends on rural women who are at the center of producing most of the food, supplying 77% of the labor force in agriculture. Despite their resilience, women bear numerous challenges including limited access to finance, natural disasters and unequal control and access to natural resources compared to men. If these vulnerabilities faced by women are not urgently addressed they might lead to consequences of food shortages, price hikes, under-nutrition, mass starvation and death especially among our most vulnerable populations. Thus, supporting women with appropriate mitigation measures to manage agricultural risks and providing them with spaces to share their experiences is a prerequisite to accelerating production and productivity in the sector even after the pandemic.

    Margaret Kagole, a rural farmer from Buliisa district while addressing the meeting highlighted that farming activities have been limited by the effects of COVID 19 where women farmers find it hard to access their gardens and markets due to the prolonged lockdown by government that has limited the transport system. Christine Nabwami a farmer from Mityana district added that the effects of climate change characterized by heavy rainfall is increasingly destroying property and crops hence incapacitating women from carrying out farming activities.

    Juliet Okecho, a farmer from Bukedea was concerned that women are finding hard to access finances as the situation found them when they were not ready. She noted that women groups are no longer operating like they used to but are rather working separately to plant food crops to sustain their households. However, she noted that in her community through the Bukedea Poverty and Monitoring Association, a few selected women are taking part in the government programs of sensitizing farmers from home to home encouraging them to respond to the situation by growing crops to ensure food is available. She added that similar messages have also been shared on radios where those women are invited to speak.

    Martha Asio a farmer from Wera Sub County in Amuria noted that COVID 19 found farmers unprepared and access to the market is currently very challenging. She noted that through WEDA, a local NGO she is working with some women leaders are sensitizing their fellow women farmers to adopt simple farming methods kitchen gardening to sustain our families with nutritional and adequate food. She added that they have sensitized families to put in place sanitation facilities as one of the actions to mitigate the outbreak of COVID 19.

    Jennifer Nangole, a pastoralist from Karenga district noted the limited access to extension services, production resources like land due to restrictions on movement. She added that access to extension services has been limited as CSOs who have been actively supporting government to extend those services to rural farmers can no longer permitted to move and offer support. Currently, women are bearing the burden of providing food for their families yet they are no longer accessing markets for their produce. She also noted that water related challenges continue to manifest in the district as many people continue to struggle to get water for livestock and household use. It is predicted that there will be limited rainfall in the region this year which could limit food production and productivity. However, Jennifer highlighted that the situation has encouraged men and children to provide agricultural labor in their farms in preparation for the after effects of the pandemic.

    Kongai Margaret, a farmer from Soroti reflected on COVID 19 as a “double edged sword” that has presented both opportunities and challenges. She has managed to prepare her farm, grow crops and get a bumper harvest especially from vegetables and cereals. She has been to sell her produce moving from door to door to obtain income to cater for her family. On the other hand, she presented her fears that people no longer have money to purchase which could in the long term result into price fluctuations and food waste owing to the bumper harvest.

    Among the recommendations, women proposed that government should enhance the provision of extension services and support women with quality agricultural inputs and market information to enhance agricultural production and food availability in pandemics like COVID 19. The agricultural inputs should be made available and accessible by farmers at district level. Secondly, government should strengthen transport linkages to ensure that rural women farmers can easily transport their produce to markets. This will address issues of food waste especially by households with bumper harvests having nowhere to put it. They also request government to respond to the current floods affecting their crops by providing appropriate technologies and put the run offs into proper use in times of scarcity.

    In conclusion, Joan Leon, the Senior Programs Manager at Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, East Africa Regional Office shared her message of solidarity by commending rural women for supporting their families amidst such a global pandemic of COVID 19. She encouraged FRA to continue supporting rural women to engage in such platforms to share their experiences, lessons among themselves and use it as an opportunity to generate policy proposals to government inform policy change.

    The meeting that was supported by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, OXFAM in Uganda and Trocaire and held in partnership with National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), Uganda Debt Network, Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) and Coalition of Pastoralist Civil Society Organisations (COPACSO) attracted 90 stakeholders including rural women farmers, representatives from civil society, researchers, and academia among others.

  • Call for Expression of Interest – Consultancy to Translate a Toolkit on Free, Prior and Informed Consent on Land (FPIC)

    INTRODUCTION

    Food Rights Alliance (FRA) a coalition of over 30 members spread out in all regions of Uganda is implementing an 18 months project Funded by the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). The project seeks to promote inclusive, equitable land governance in Uganda that fosters optimum land use and upholds people’s land rights”.  Under this project, FRA hired an external consultant to develop community participation guideline and a toolkit to aid communities to meaningfully participate, contribute to and enjoy benefits from National development initiatives, especially within the natural resource sector.

    Background to the Development of the Toolkit

    80% of Uganda’s land is held under customary tenure system by people mainly living in rural areas with less than 30% of the total land is registered1. The National Development Plan (NDPII) recognizes the fundamental nature of transparent rights of land ownership and improved tenure for all categories of land ownership; and highlights the need to sustain easy access to land for productive investments. The NDP further notes that the current tenure systems present constraints to acquiring land for public infrastructure, urban development and large-scale land-based investments. On its part, the Land Sector Strategic Plan highlights the need to put land and its resources to optimal use to achieve prosperity and industrialization. Government is committed to addressing the multiple social, cultural, economic, ecological and political functions of land; and is further committed to ensuring that land transactions reflect equity and justice. It also highlights the need for strong institutions and procedures for resolving land conflicts and disputes. The National Land policy, 2013 reaffirms these commitments and seeks to ensure “efficient, equitable and optimal utilization and management” of Uganda’s land.

    On top of an elaborate legal framework for land administration, Uganda also has committed to the FAO Voluntary guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGTs) and the AU framework on large scale land-based investments. The guidelines in principle spell out the obligations of the state and responsibility of non-state actors including business entrepreneurs. As a matter of principle in implementation, the guidelines uphold human dignity, non-discrimination, equity and justice, gender equality, consultation and participation, transparency among others. The guidelines commit states to take reasonable measures to identify record and respect legitimate tenure rights holders so as to refrain from infringing tenure rights for others. The guidelines further call on government to protect tenure rights holders against the arbitrary laws of their rights including forced evictions. In addition, government is further guided to provide effective and accessible means of justice and ensure that there is prompt, just and fair compensation where tenure rights are taken for public purposes and endeavor to prevent corruption of all forms at all levels in land management and governance.

    Whereas the guidelines propose strengthening capacities and operations of implementing agencies, including organizations of farmers, small producers and communities to promote cooperation and participation, the policy and legal frameworks do not create such structures for engagement on land and neither are there guidelines to facilitate this form of cooperation and community participation. Decisions concerning land management, acquisitions, and governance have continued to be made without effective public participation. Hence the urgent need to develop guidelines for a structured community participation and engagement.

    Objectives of the Assignment

    In order to ensure informed advocacy to enhance understanding of the community on FPIC, FRA would like to engage a consultant to produce a high-quality translated version of the toolkit in two languages of: Luganda and Ateso.

    Methodology 

    The consultant will work in close consultation with FRA. The consultant will be expected to conduct a thorough review of the toolkit and ensure that every word translated makes a meaning to the document.

    Specific Deliverables include: 

    A high-quality translated toolkit clearly highlighting the information that exist in the original or English version of the toolkit.

    Profile/Skills and Qualifications Required: 

    The assignment will be undertaken by a qualified and experienced consultant or consulting firm. The consultant profile should include:

    • Demonstrable experience in reviewing and translating documents.
    • Holder of a minimum of a Degree in communications or related field:
    • Fluent in written and spoken English, Luganda and Ateso

    Work Plan and Schedule 

    The assignment will be undertaken for 15 days with the consultant being available to explain and clarify on issues when called upon.

    1. Deliverables and Reporting Requirements (Outputs)

    The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

    • A draft copy of the translated toolkit after one week- upon which FRA will make input.
    • Final copy of the toolkit.
    • The consultant will report to the Executive Director of FRA and will continuously coordinate with the project staff for all contractual matters.
    1. Proposal Details from Consultants, Fees and Cost Estimates

    Consultants are invited to submit a technical proposal (not more than 3 pages) outlining the approach to be used in carrying out the assignment and provide a quotation of professional fees (as well as reimbursable costs) for the entire assignment. The proposal should include the following:

    • Profile or details of the firm or individual(s) including experience relevant to this assignment.
    • A detailed work plan and the proposed methodology, which shall include full justification for procedures to be adopted; Financial proposal (professional fees and reimbursable);

    Application process Interested consultants (individuals and firms) with experience in executing similar assignments are invited to submit their expression of interest / bids by close of business on 28th, May 2020 with the subject field “Expression of Interest for Provision of Translation Services” addressed to; Executive Director

    Email: fra@fra.ug and copied to forochi@fra.ug , acayo@fra.ug

    and jssebuliba@fra.ug

     

    Statement of Safeguarding

    According to Food Rights Alliance organizational value of accountability, it is our policy to safeguard all individuals involved in Food Rights Alliance work against risks of exploitation and abuse. Food Rights Alliance will not tolerate exploitative or abusive behaviors by anyone associated with the implementation of Food Rights Alliance work.

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  • Job Opportunity at FRA – Program Officer Food Governance

    JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

    Job Title: Program Officer Food Governance

    Reports to: Head of Programs

    Direct Reportees: Program Assistants

    Contract Details: Fixed Contract

    Job Purpose:

    Everybody eats; it is the key to our survival, but food also has the potential to compromise health. The global food system is challenged by issues of drought, climate change, trade, malnutrition, and exploited workers. Population growth and the forces of marketization have further compromised the ability of the food system to deliver safe, nutritious and sustainable food to the world’s population. FRA in its strategic plan 2019 – 2023 plans to explore how law, policy, and regulation address food system challenges or contribute to them at local, national, regional, and global levels. This includes issues such as food security, food safety, food sustainability,  equity  and  social  justice  in  national  and  global food  systems,  and  nutrition: under/malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable disease.

    The  principal  objective  of  the  Program  Officer  Food  Governance  role  is  to  provide strategic leadership and growth of the Food Governance Program, coordinate  the planning (strategic and Operational) , implementation and monitoring of all activities of FRA’s Food governance and food Justice Programme in assigned jurisdiction. S/he will manage and lead a team of Program Assistants, Interns  and  Volunteers  to  ensure  efficient  and  effective  implementation  of  Food  Justice Activities in line with project plans, budgets and timelines. The role involves strengthening capacity of member organisations and other like-minded CSOs working on Food Justice related components through on job training and also involves addressing barriers to Food and Nutrition Security.

    Responsibility 1: To coordinate planning and implementation of Food Justice activities of FRA and Member Organisations working on Food Justice within the agreed plans, budgets, time frame and donor guidelines. By;

    • Taking lead on the overall implementation of all FRA activities under Food Governance assigned to you.
    • Leading analysis of the connection between food practices with health, economic activities, the relationship with natural resources, with culture, with ethics and social justice, with the quality of life and the social relations between communities to inform processes leading to strengthening food system in Uganda
    • Mobilise and promote participation of social actors to strengthen the campaign of linking food to sustainable development.
    • Representing FRA in coordination meetings and Technical Working Groups around food justice as required
    • Strengthening the coordination and collaboration between FRA Secretariat, Member

    Organization’s and community structures to promote food justice.

    • Promoting effective integration of programme activities at national and regional level placing programme beneficiaries at the heart of FRA programme
    • Strengthen construction of integrated food strategic at local level to promote different stakeholders involved in the work on food justice in Uganda

    Responsibility 2: Coordinate capacity building of State and Non State Actors to promote food justice in Uganda. By

    • Developing and coordinating development of tools for training CSOs and government staff to understand food justice and its importance to sustainable development linking to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
    • Supporting and  Training  CSO  and  government  officials  on  food  justice,  leading  the knowledge generation and sharing to increase the profile of the work around food justice in Uganda
    • Providing regular technical support to organisations working on components of food justice at all levels (community, district, regional, national and global).
    • Conducting research on how law, policy, and regulation address food system challenges or contribute to them at local, national, regional, and global levels. Share the finding to influence processes working towards addressing challenges facing the food system domestically and globally
    • Ensuring issues of food security, Food Sovereignty,  safety, food sustainability, equity and social justice in national and global food systems, and nutrition: under/malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable disease are kept on table of appropriate fora domestically and regionally contributing to global effort

    Responsibility 3: To ensure the highest standards of Monitoring & Evaluation of food justice activities to facilitate effective programme delivery and reporting on expected results. By;

    • Working with the Head of Programs to formulate technically accurate monthly plans and activity budgets for project activities according to annual plans of each project.
    • Participating in the development and review of M&E plans for each project and other activities within the overall Food Justice program
    • Ensuring all your projects have up-to-date tools for recording all the required data throughout a campaign cycle, according to the project M&E indicators and field teams including staff of member organisations are using the to
    • Ensuring the  data  base  for  beneficiaries  in  your  assigned  target  areas  is  updated regularly with technical support from the MEAL Offic
    • Ensuring data at end of each campaign cycle is analyzed, used in the monthly report and stored on the server for use whenever required.
    • Documenting case  studies,  best  practices  and  lessons  learnt  in  project  activities  to promote internal learning and for inclusion into donor report
    • Supporting compilation of monthly activity reports in a timely manner and presenting to the Project Manager for review and compilation of Sector monthly report.
    • Support in tracking and documentation of meteorological information from established weather station facilities in and around operation areas.

    Responsibility 4: Staff Management

    • Supervise staff  that  directly  report  to  you  and  provide  ongoing  leadership  to  the management of staff    being managed by the staff you manage, especially community based extension work
    • Set performance objectives for your direct reports, and ensure those supervised by your direct  reports   have   performance   objectives   as   w   Routinely   monitor   their performance and evaluate them at the end of the performance period.
    • Strengthen and build skills of the staff through on-job mentoring and coaching and feedback mechanisms to improve their performance
    • Recommend disciplinary actions for staff who are not performing in consultation with your Project Manager.
    • Address and mitigate staff complains and  conflicts in coordination with the Project Manager.

    Responsibility 5: To support programme development processes in FRA. By;

    • Participating in programme  development  activities  like  contextual  analysis  review, baseline studies, Post distribution monitoring, End lines and any related studies in cross cutting issues like Gender when called upon.
    • Respecting,  upholding,   and   actively   supporting   the   broader   FRA   organisational development initiatives and that of member organisations g. Equality, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience Building, Advocacy, Program Participants Protection and Capacity building.
    • Support actual programme development like writing some sections of a proposal and doing budget as part of your personal career development.

    Responsibility 6: Working as a team member in FRA

    • Establish  and   develop   effective   working   relationship   with   entire   FRA   staff, Volunteers, Interns, Member organisation staff, Government staff to ensure team work and integration.
    • Participating in team decision making process including but not limited to, planning and review meetings, staff meetings and
    • Adhering to all FRA organisational policies
    • Undertaking any other activities assigned by the Executive Director

    Person Specifications:

    • University degree qualification in Law, Agriculture or Rural Development
    • Must possess excellent organizational, representation, negotiation skills and diplomacy.
    • Excellent computer skills, including Excel, Word, with related technical functions
    • Fluency in written and spoken English
    • Excellent communication skills, including drafting documents
    • A team player with good interpersonal, team building and representational skills
    • Willingness to undertake additional responsibilities and initiative is critical
    • A valid driving license preferably with skills of driving Manual operated cars

    Experience

    Required

    • Minimum 3 years’ experience practical work experience as a Program Officer preferably within the NGO/UN/Government system
    • Experience in working with Policy advocacy CSOs as a Project Officer
    • Experience in managing large and diverse teams

    Desired: Experience with FRA or any other NGO similar works

    Skills and Competencies

    1. Demonstrated self motivation and integrity
    2. Leadership skills
    3. Communicating and teamwork
    4. Result oriented
    5. Planning and Decision making
    6. Creativity and Innovation
    7. Influence, Advocacy and Networking
    8. Change management
    9. Electronic communication

    Statement of Safe Guarding

    According to Food Rights Alliance organisational value of accountability, it is our policy to safeguard all individuals involved in Food Rights Alliance work against risks of exploitation and abuse. Food Rights Alliance will not tolerate exploitative or abusive behaviors by anyone associated with the implementation of Food Rights Alliance work.

    How to Apply

    Send your CV and motivation letter to fra@fra.ug with the title “Application for Program Officer Food Governance” by 3rd March 2020

  • Job Opportunity at FRA – Program Assistant Food Governance

    JOB DESCRIPTION

    Job Title: Program Assistant Food Governance

    Reports to:  Program Officer Food Governance

    Direct Reporteees:  Interns, Volunteers

    Contract Details:

    Job Purpose:

    Supporting the implementation and reporting of activities under the Food Governance and Justice  programme. You will work closely with the Program officer Food Governance, Head of programmes, Head of Systems, the Executive Director and other staff and alliance members. This will be achieved by reviewing and understanding broadly the organization frameworks and specifically the programme in line with the organizational strategic plan, project grant agreements, the general context surrounding the food governance terrain in the country and globally to ensure that you legally support the organization and the programme is implemented with compliance

    Main Duties & Responsibilities:

    Responsibility 1: Support in planning and implementation of the programme activities under Food Governance, within the agreed plans, budgets, time frame and donor guidelines in line with the FRA Strategic Plan and all Governance and Administrative Procedures;

    • Support the Implementation of all programme activities the Food Governance
    • Undertake all programme activities agreed upon by the programme team on schedule and where flexibilities are technically required, adequately communicate and seek approvals relevant parties on time members.
    • Support the organization of all programme participants and stakeholders (government officials at the district level, Sub county level, village leaders, CSOs, private sector, members of loose coalitions, community members to form a community of Practice on food justice by ensuring understanding of the laws, policies, regulations guidelines and procedures for competence and compliance.

    Responsibility 2: Supporting Documentation and communication in the context of Food governance

    • Support production and dissemination of FRA publications including, documentaries, posters, magazines, e-newsletter, reports and other relevant documents to all FRA stakeholders.
    • Technically support FRA Communication officer and members in underatking communication related programme activities in a food justice
    • Support in the drafting of press releases and organize media briefings around pertinent issues as well as prepare talking points and/for speeches in the context of Food justice.
    • Gather case studies and take photos for marketing, communication and other purposes as required by FRA, donors and partners.
    • Develop content for various FRA communication channels focusing on FRA initiatives onFood Governance and Food Justice

    Responsibility 3: To support programme development and implementation

    • Participate in programme development activities like contextual analysis, review of studies and/or brain storming sessions when called upon.
    • Respect, uphold, and actively support the broader FRA organizational development initiatives and that of member organizations.
    • Support actual programme development like writing some sections of a proposal and doing budget as part of your personal career development.

    Responsibility 4: Advocacy, Representation, networking and partnerships

    • Represent FRA and its interests in; Meetings, workshops, write shops, Campaigns, field visits, networks and media in the country/region/internationally and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of FRA.
    • Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and government authorities to enhance collaboration and networking
    • Actively participate in FRA thematic committee meetings and events and ensure that thematic activities inform FRA programmes.
    • Represent FRA and its interests in dealing with government, international and local organizations, networks and media in the country/region and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of the network.

    Other Key Responsibilities:

    In addition to individual respective tasks, all FRA employees are expected;

    • To adhere to our organizational values and to actively promote their application amongst colleagues.
    • To undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative manner.
    • To identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization (whether directly linked to one’s job or not).
    • Establish and develop effective working relationship with entire FRA staff, Volunteers, Interns, Member organization staff, Government staff to ensure team work and integration.
    • Participate in team decision making process including but not limited to, planning and review meetings, staff meetings and events.
    • Adhere to all FRA organizational policies.

    Required Qualifications

    • University degree qualification in Law, Agriculture or Rural Development
    • Must possess excellent organizational, representation, negotiation skills and diplomacy.
    • Excellent computer skills, including Excel, Word, with related technical functions
    • Fluency in written and spoken English
    • Excellent communication skills, including drafting documents
    • A team player with good interpersonal, team building and representational skills
    • Willingness to undertake additional responsibilities and initiative is critical
    • A valid driving license preferably with skills in operating manual vehicles

    Experience

    Required

    • Minimum 1 years’ experience practical work experience as a Project Officer preferably within the NGO/UN/Government system
    • Experience in working with Policy advocacy CSOs as Project/ Programme Assistant
    • Experience in working with large and diverse teams

    Desired: Experience with FRA or any other NGO similar works

    Skills and Competencies

    1. Demonstrated self drive and integrity
    2. Leadership skills
    3. Interpersonal communication and team work
    4. Result oriented
    5. Planning and Decision making
    6. Creativity and Innovation
    7. Influence, Advocacy and Networking
    8. Change management
    9. E-communications

    Statement of Safe Guarding

    According to Food Rights Alliance organisational value of accountability, it is our policy to safeguard all individuals involved in Food Rights Alliance work against risks of exploitation and abuse. Food Rights Alliance will not tolerate exploitative or abusive behaviors by anyone associated with the implementation of Food Rights Alliance work.

    How to Apply

    Send your CV and motivation letter to fra@fra.ug with the title “Application for Program Assistant Food Governance” by 3rd March 2020 5.00pm

  • The Orugali Fests: Curbing Malnutrition in Kabarole

    The Orugali Fests: Curbing Malnutrition in Kabarole

    By Regina Kayoyo

    HIVOS together with her Sustainable Diets for All partners in Uganda have teamed up to  promote diets that are diverse, greener, healthier, fairer and more sustainable by influencing practices, markets, government policies and international institutions to promote more sustainable food production and healthy diets.

    In the Western part of Uganda, Hivos partner, Kabarole Research and Resource Centre (KRC), is seeking to change the attitude and feeding practices among low income communities and households through the community food fest dubbed “Orugali Fest. This is held at household level where 20-50 people from the community attend. Diverse and nutritious foods are prepared by a host family for every-one in attendance to consume. This group also uses traditional cooking methods that preserve the food’s nutritious value and ensure that the food is safe.

    After the meal, discussions are held on the importance of food diversity and food choices and what it means for healthy living. Families are reminded of how possible and important it is to eat different nutritious food even with low incomes. Other topics explored include re-generating soil fertility, vegetable growing, water and sanitation including the role of leadership in improving the local food system.

    The Ministry of Health indicator survey recently ranked Kabarole district as one of the districts with many cases of malnutrition accounting for over 65% cases of stunted growth and 53% cases of anemia among the children aged between 6 months and 4 years.
    Currently malnutrition stands at 41.6% in Kabarole higher than the national rate of 35%. According to the report the Malnutrition rates could have doubled, especially during the last few years because of the poor eating habits in most families.
    In 2015, The Cost of Hunger in Africa” study revealed that Uganda loses shillings 1.8 trillion in a single year due to poor nutrition.

    Nutrition education for our citizens through community festivals like the Orugali will help to reduce the health burden as sensitization platforms to value our tradition foods and ways of cooking them. These Orugali fests as they are known are gradually changing mindsets and feeding practices among rural households and communities in Kabarole District. KRC is also taking this model and food discussions to national level spaces within the policy making cycle with the expectation that it can be replicated in other regions of Uganda.

  • CSOs Hold Conference on Making Finance Work for Agriculture in Uganda

    CSOs Hold Conference on Making Finance Work for Agriculture in Uganda

    By Regina Kabasomi

    The Uganda Business Alliance (UAA) together with a coalition of leading national, continental and global stakeholders and institutions in African agricultural finance including the African Union, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), GrowAfrica, CAADP Non State Actors’ Coalition (CNC), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Bank of Uganda and other major banking players, held a weeklong conference and masterclass from 22nd to 26th October on making finance work for African agriculture at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala. The purpose of this conference was to first and fore most stimulate continuous thinking and renewed commitments, share experiences, discuss the missing links and required actions, innovations, collaborations and policy changes needed to shape effective and inclusive financial systems serving the agricultural and food sector on the continent.

    Experiences and discussions were centred strongly round increasing investment to the agreed continental commitment under the CAADP-Malabo declaration of allocating at least 10% of national budgets to the agricultural sector. Other national financial investment avenues that were discussed included public investments through the Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) and public agricultural insurance schemes.  Similarities in discussion were noted majorly on the mismatch between the information released on these public investment opportunities and information received on ground by farmers and other relevant recipients. Agricultural traders and farmers present noted their disappointment with financial institutions like Bank of Uganda and other banks that were tasked to distribute these schemes with the limited impact of these public intervention on the majority of people in the country. These institutions were further charged with facilitating commercial “sophisticated” agricultural business owners as opposed to smallholder farmers.

    Notwithstanding these challenges, financial institutions led by the Bank of Uganda’s Deputy Governor Mr. Louis Kasekende, emphasized the need to understand that “agricultural financing isn’t an end in itself but that other boarder supportive mechanisms need to be employed. This he called the holistic approach to agricultural financing, other supportive mechanisms he noted could include services like access to agricultural extension, access to input and knowledge; access to markets, knowledge on standards among others to which both government and other players needed to combine efforts to make finance work for the sector. Other holistic mechanisms proposed included adapting or tailoring agricultural financing schemes to specific interventions for farmers. In conclusion, stakeholders, called for prudent and efficient financing for this sector as its key to the functioning of other sectors.