Food Rights Alliance

Category: Views and Stories

  • 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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  • NSAs Debate the Impact of COVID-19 on Uganda’s Water Resources

    NSAs Debate the Impact of COVID-19 on Uganda’s Water Resources

    By Lucky Brian Wamboka

    On 29th April, 2020, Food Rights Alliance and Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI) in partnership with Trocaire and Danish Peoples Aid organized a webinar on Water Resources. The meeting discussed a case around COVID-19 to influence stakeholders to prioritize water resources management systems as the first line of defense against health emergencies equally required for production in other economic sectors such as agriculture.

    It was a platform for Civil Society to advocate for increased investments towards water resource management during and after COVID 19 crisis to support the health sector and other sectors that heavily rely on water resources. The meeting attracted over 90 representatives from Civil Society, private sector, media, academia, farmers, development partners and government officials. It also attracted stakeholders from United Arab Emirates, USA, Tanzania, Germany, France, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.

    The meeting composed of a panel of experts from Makerere University, IRC, CIDI, and FRA and specialists on Water for Production and Community Champions on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). These deliberated on key salient issues including the need to ensure equitable access to adequate and safe water, sustainability and resilience of Uganda’s water resource management systems in meeting the current competing water demands.

    With numerous COVID 19 interventions by the government of Uganda, water is one of the subjects considered marginal and not critically discussed in terms of accessibility, its stability, use and management yet it is a vital resource at the frontline of fight against COVID-19. As it is increasingly demanded and consumed by other different sectors and many people continuously assume that water is reliably sufficient and accessible by all Ugandans everywhere at all times. As a result many stand a risk of catastrophic expenditure and becoming water insecure especially the rural poor living in water stressed areas.

    Ms. Agnes Kirabo, the Executive Director of FRA highlighted that the pandemic will pose significant impact on our water resources as they are increasingly required for washing hands. She noted that, “every Ugandan per household requires 1, 440 litres of water a month for hand washing only which will not be sufficient for the current population estimated at 43 million.” Agnes added that in the current Financial Year, the Ministry of Water and Environment and National Water and Sewerage Corporation did not receive a supplementary budget to meet their operational costs and ensure effective access to water by all.

    Ms. Hellena Kasujja the CIDI Deputy Executive Director recognized government for increasing the budgetary allocation for the water sector for the FY 2020/2021 by 59% from the previous allocation. She noted that despite the budgetary increment, the government over relies on external funding which poses a risk of future water crises.  Hellena proposed that the government needs to prioritize and recognize the importance of water through systematic and meaningful investment in the water sector. She added that meaningful investment will enhance efficient access to safe water and aid proper waste management to mitigate water pollution in the country. Ms. Lydia Biira, a WASH Expert from IRC retaliated that that government should also promote Public Private Partnerships at national and local level for increased investments in water infrastructure to address issues of operation and maintenance for efficient access to water by community water users.

    Dr. Joshua Wanyama, from Makerere University presented that the burden during COVID 19 and after the pandemic will be huge and could affect people’s access to water. Water bills have more than doubled which will affect the operations of National Water and Sewerage Corporation in enhancing effective water supply to the public. He proposed that the government should subsidize National Water to at least 50% for the entire corona virus season for address challenges related to operational costs being incurred. He added that the government should set water withdrawal limits for industry and agriculture and scale up rain water harvesting to reduce the growing deficit in water supply relative to demand.

    Dr. Anthony Egeru from Makerere University noted that water quality especially in water stressed communities comes from ponds and dams which are prone to direct contamination from humans and livestock. It poses health risks to those communities and will not have the capacity to address issues of COVID and post COVID outbreak. He also noted that the availability and accessibility of water at household level has a number of gender dynamics as women suffer the burden of looking for water for domestic use hence government should consider addressing such water issues in a multi sectoral approach. He also added that for the safety of Ugandans water should be considered as a health issue and it is thus critical that we manage its quality and sustainability.

    Eng. Cong Richard, the former Commissioner for Water for Production in the Ministry of Water highlighted that the government needs to strengthen the existing institutional framework to advocate, promote, develop, regulate, supervise, maintain and generate data that will guide planning and investments for sustainable management of water resources and infrastructure. He also noted that capacity building at all level for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining water facilities for improved efficiency and access to water is vital.

    Eng. Kato Yusuf, an Irrigation Engineer noted that Water management systems involve maintenance of the water infrastructure, storage, distribution and abstraction of water and if these are not considered access to water will remain a big challenge to not only Ugandans in water stressed areas but also those who are the most vulnerable to pandemics like COVID 19. Ms. Annet Dianah Nannono, a WASH champion added that government should advance the technological approaches to enhance access to water quality and strengthen community management structures to improve the hygiene and management of the different infrastructure in place.

    The meeting resolved to develop a detailed communique as a policy influencing tool that will be used to create awareness and mobilize policy makers and various stakeholders to foster ideological conversations on the linkages between water-food-health and energy stakeholders to inform planning and strategic direction in during pandemics like COVID 19. They also agreed that water is a mandatory health and socio-economic good that requires stewardship to avoid economic implications on Uganda’s economy.

  • CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT FRA (Program Driver, Office Guard)

    JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

    • Job Title: Program Driver

    Reports To: Program Administrator/HR

    Direct Reports:

    Contract Details: Fixed

    Job Grade:

    Job Purpose:

    To provide secure and timely driving services to transport FRA staff, visitors and/or goods; maintain the organization’s vehicles and; support FRA,s Programme Administration and logistics functions in accordance with FRA  Policies and Procedures as well as Uganda traffic laws

    This will be achieved by reviewing and understanding broadly the organization frameworks and specifically the Transport policy in line with the organizational Finance, Administration and Human Resource manuals and the context surrounding the Organizational mandate.

    Job Summary:

    The incumbent will drive authorized passengers, goods and services (information) and check the mechanical condition of the vehicles regularly and act accordingly in line with FRA policies.

    Other Key Responsibilities

    • Provide driving services for FRA Staff and others involved with our projects as instructed by line managers.
    • Ensure sound running of the vehicle assigned and check basic maintenance (Oil, Coolant, water, tire pressure, battery water) regularly
    • Maintain a daily log sheet for all trips, mileages and fuel consumption for monthly checking by line manager.
    • Compile information required for monthly vehicle reports to be submitted to the line manager, ensuring that all major incidents re reported to the Programme Administrators immediately.
    • Determine when and what kind of maintenance the vehicle requires, keep track of general maintenance schedules.
    • Ensure that vehicle are clean at all times both interior and exterior
    • Keep track of timely car insurance renewals.

    In addition, the incumbent just like any other FRA Staff is expected to:

    • To adhere to 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 work 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

    • ‘O’ Level Certificate as the minimum qualification required.
    • A certificate in Mechanical Engineering is an added advantage desired
    • At least 2 years’ experience in driving manual vehicles for long field routes is required.
    • Certificate in defensive driving is an added advantage

    Experience Required

    • A clean driving record, valid Uganda driving permit classes B, DL,CN, and DN and valid International driving permit.
    • Good knowledge of vehicle maintenance/mechanics
    • A good command of both verbal/spoken and written English is necessary
    • Defensive driving skills\
    • Good knowledge on use of office machines (Copiers, scanners, telephone switchboards etc.)

    Desired: Experience with driving Official vehicles on long distance and field routes

     

    2) Job Title: Office Guard

    Reports To: Program Administrator/HR

    Direct Reports:

    Contract Details: Fixed

    Job Grade:

    Job Purpose:

    To maintain safe and secure environment for FRA clients and employees by patrolling and monitoring premises and personnel

    This will be achieved by understanding broadly the organization operating environment and the organizational Finance, Administration and Human Resource.

    Job Summary:

    Maintains safe and secure environment for FRA clients and employees by patrolling and monitoring premises and personnel.

    Other Key Responsibilities

    • Secures premises and personnel by patrolling property; monitoring surveillance equipment; inspecting buildings, equipment, and access points; permitting entry.
    • Obtains help by sounding alarms.
    • Prevents losses and damage by reporting irregularities; informing violators of policy and procedures; restraining trespassers.
    • Controls traffic by directing drivers.
    • Completes reports by recording observations, information, occurrences, and surveillance activities; interviewing witnesses; obtaining signatures.
    • Maintains environment by monitoring and setting building and equipment controls.
    • Maintains organization’s stability and reputation by complying with legal requirements.
    • Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
    • Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

    In addition, the incumbent just like any other FRA Staff is expected to:

    • To adhere to 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 work 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 and Experience

    • Lifting, Surveillance Skills, Deals with Uncertainty, Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Emotional Control, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting Skills
    • ‘O’ Level Certificate as the minimum qualification required.
    • A training in security controls is an added advantage desired
    • At least 2 years’ experience in working in a similar assignment.
    • A clean and reputable crime record

    Desired: A clean crime record

    Statement of Safe Guarding

    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.

    How to apply

    Interested Candidates should send their Application and relevant qualifications and CV to fra@fra.ug by close of business on April 1 2020. Your mail subject should indicate the position 

    Download Job Advert HERE

  • FRA and Partners hold Technical Review of NDP III (FY 2020/21-2024-25)

    FRA and Partners hold Technical Review of NDP III (FY 2020/21-2024-25)

    By Regina Kayoyo

    FRA in partnership with Slow Food Uganda, HIVOs, SEATINI and the Uganda Youth Bioversity Network on 21st February held a technical review of the draft National Development III. This was held as a public forum that brought together over 40 NSAs including the media. Among these where Members of parliament and different Ministries Departments and Agencies including National Planning Authority and the Office of the Prime Minister to input into the draft Plan with consideration of food and nutrition programming reflected across the entire Plan and further to this, consideration of a Human Rights Based approached with a major focus on the social, economic and cultural rights tethered to the Plan.

    For the next 5 years (FY 2020/21-2024-25), Uganda will pursue an industrialization agenda through the NDPIII whose goal is “increased household incomes and improved quality of life”. This goal is to be achieved under the overall theme of “sustainable industrialization for inclusive growth, employment and sustainable wealth creation”. During the Plan period, the country envisages to focus on enhancing value addition in key growth opportunities (Agriculture, Tourism, Minerals, Oil & Gas and Knowledge) which have the highest potential to generate employment and positive multiplier effects on other sectors. According to the draft Plan, the country will continue to invest in maintaining and developing productive infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and increase connectivity especially for those areas that are lagging behind. Increasing productivity, inclusiveness and wellbeing of the population will also be fundamental to improving the quality of life of the labour force needed for industrialization as well as the life of Ugandans.

    During the public forum, key note speaker Gerald Tushabe a Doctoral Research Fellow from Makerere University noted that the NDP III rightly sees the private sector as playing a key role in realizing the 2040 Agenda and the SDGs, particularly through public-private partnerships (PPPs). However the private sector has not fully respected, protected and fulfilled the human rights of workers as required. He called on NPA to consider tighten corporate accountability (CA) where victims of ESCR violations have access to effective legal remedies for instance, an enforceable minimum wage law, compensation for injuries at work, among others rather than corporate social responsibility (CSL).  He noted that the fight against poverty in the NDP III must be firmly rooted on the rights-based framework as it’s the only sure guarantor for inclusive and equitable development.

    Speaking about food and nutrition security in the NDPIII, Dr. Rukundo from Kyambogo University acknowledged that the draft Plan has a high potential to deliver food security but the nutrition dimensions might be insufficient. He noted that nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food systems improvement and nutrition capacity development has not received the attention it fully deserves in the Plan. As a recommendation to NPA, he called on the State to consider capacity improvement and advocacy for nutrition as essential through implementation of key supportive policy and legislations in the country.

    Speaking on behalf of NPA, Sarah Nahalamba from the agricultural department emphasized the role of NSAs as playing a supplementary role to Government. She welcomed more input into the Plan that will be launched by June 2020 with the end of this current financial year 2019/20.

  • Volunteer Opportunities with FRA

    Food Rights Alliance has a number of volunteer opportunities to offer. We invite people of all fields to participate in the struggle of ending hunger with all its variations and contribute to a World free from Hunger and Malnutrition from a human rights perspective for all in areas we operate.  We open this invitation to people who have the desire to be of service with FRA to our beneficiaries (State and Non State).

    Our volunteer program offers a wide range of experiences from unique strategic interactions and career enriching cross-field encounters to work experience rarely available in the outside world of work.

    The purpose of recruiting volunteers at FRA is to provide technical support to our staff members and to give additional attention to our interventions. Volunteers have an opportunity to share their talent, knowledge, bring on board fresh ideas and perspectives that help meet the challenges of daily operations.

    Responsibility: Working as a team member in FRA

    • Support project development including resource mobilisation and proposal development
    • Participate in policy analysis and designing of policy advocacy campaigns
    • Support documentation of FRA’s work through development of publications, reports and blog posts
    • Support conceptualisation, development and implementation of project activities
    • Provide administrative support to project teams
    • Undertake any other activities as assigned

    Position requirements

    Graduate qualification in the fields of: Law, Agriculture or Rural Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Food and Nutrition, Public policy, Economics, Social Sciences, Community Development, Education or any other related field

    Person Specification:

    • Excellent communication skills
    • Proven experience in drafting documents
    • Excellent computer skills including use of Word and Excel
    • Ability to establish good working relationships with entire  FRA   staff, Volunteers, Interns, Member organization staff, Government staff to ensure team work and integration.
    • Ability to work independently and as a team with line managers
    • Ability to communicate fluently in English both spoken and written
    • Must possess excellent organizational, representation, negotiation skills and diplomacy
    • A team player with good interpersonal, team building and representational skills
    • Willingness to undertake additional responsibilities and initiative is critical

    Other Skills and Competencies

    • Proven self-drive and integrity
    • Leadership skills
    • Influence, Advocacy and Networking
    • Result oriented
    • Planning and Decision making
    • Creativity and Innovation
    • A strong work ethic
    • Flexibility, realism
    • Change management
    • Multimedia and e-communication skill

    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 Volunteer Opportunity with FRA”.

     

  • 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