Cluster Coordinator, Teso Region (2 Positions) - dfcu Foundation

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Cluster Coordinator, Teso Region (2 Positions) – dfcu Foundation

REPORTS TO:

Regional Project Manager

DUTY STATION:

To be comfirmed

JOB PURPOSE:

The Cluster Coordinator provides strategic leadership, technical support, and operational oversight for the implementation of the YEELD Project across multiple districts in the defined cluster. The role ensures quality programming, quality implementation, effective supervision of District Coordinators, cluster staff, timely achievement of project targets, leading livestock value chain development and market systems analysis studies intended to support and match youth skilling interest and enterprises to actors in the value chain, strengthening systems to achieve program outcomes related to job creation, enterprise growth, financial inclusion, and youth empowerment. The role further ensures that interventions are inclusive, scalable, and market-driven, ensures compliant with donor and organizational requirements., while cultivating high-level partnerships with government institutions, private sector actors, development partners, and community structures to strengthen stakeholder engagement and sustain project impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES/KEY DELIVERABLES:

1. Cluster Leadership, Coordination, and Program Oversight

Provide overall leadership and accountability for the planning, implementation, and performance of YEELD interventions across all districts in the assigned cluster
Oversee and coordinate the delivery of integrated interventions across livestock value chains (poultry, piggery, and small ruminants), ensuring alignment with program targets
Provide technical guidance and support to district teams in livelihoods, financial inclusion, market systems development, youth empowerment, a gender and social inclusion.
Consolidate and operationalize cluster work plans, ensuring alignment with program strategy, donor requirements, approved budgets and annual targets
Ensure consistent, high-quality, and timely implementation across districts, maintaining fidelity to the YEELD market systems approach
Track and ensure achievement of cluster-level targets on employment creation, enterprise growth, financial inclusion, and inclusion of women and vulnerable groups
Ensure quality assurance and consistency in project delivery across all target districts.
Promote structured market linkages, contracts, certification, and quality systems to enhance competitiveness of youth enterprises.
Provide technical oversight to ensure effective implementation of livestock productivity, enterprise development, and market-led interventions across districts
Guide districts in strengthening and formalizing youth producer groups, cooperatives, and agribusiness enterprises

2. Supervision, Team Leadership, and Performance Management

Supervise, mentor, and support District Coordinators and cluster level staff to ensure effective delivery of project interventions.
Conduct regular field supervision, coaching, and performance management support across the cluster.
Build a high-performing cluster implementation team focused on accountability, high-performing, collaborative, and results-driven team culture
Support staff capacity development in project implementation, reporting, safeguarding, gender inclusion, and community engagement.
Promote teamwork, collaboration, effective communication, staff welfare, and compliance with organizational policies and safeguarding standards.
Coordinate regional planning, scheduling, and implementation review meetings.
Build the capacity of district teams in market systems development, enterprise facilitation, financial inclusion, and inclusive programming as they relate to the YEELD program

3. Livestock Value Chain Development and Enterprise Growth (Oversight)

Provide technical oversight to ensure effective implementation of livestock productivity, enterprise development, and market-led interventions across districts
Guide districts in strengthening and formalizing youth producer groups, cooperatives, and agribusiness enterprises
Ensure integration of business development services (BDS), incubation, and enterprise acceleration systems
Support establishment of quality assurance systems and facilitate product certification processes for enterprises utilizing common user value addition facilities to enhance market competitiveness.
Support in estabalishent of youth led lastmile extention services for youth employability and access to quality inputs and services
Promote youth participation across production, aggregation, processing, and marketing nodes
Ensures that project team have the training materials, tools and resources to implement and track project performance.
Provide guidance and oversight to district teams in delivering capacity-building interventions for youth, community structures, and service providers
Ensure quality and consistency in training on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, VSLA strengthening, and livestock productivity
Strengthening institutional capacity of local partners and service providers to deliver market-oriented support
Build the capacity of project field staff on Enterprise development, business incubation, and management.
Support downstream partners to strengthen their enterprise development and youth skilling capacity for effective program delivery.
Organise and train ‘Trainer of Trainers’ programmes for the project, both staff and community resource persons.
Promote continuous coaching, mentorship, and learning across districts

4. Financial Inclusion and Investment Facilitation

Oversee the expansion of financial inclusion initiatives, including strengthening VSLAs and progression to SACCOs and formal financial systems
Guide districts in facilitating access to tailored, affordable financial products for livestock enterprises, in close collaboration with the Financial Inclusion technical lead
Support partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and investors to increase capital flows to youth enterprises
Promote innovative approaches to de-risk youth agribusiness and catalyze private sector investment across the cluster

5. Partnerships, Ecosystem Development, and Private Sector Engagement

Build and maintain high-level partnerships with district local governments, line ministries, development partners, financial institutions, private sector actors, NGOs, producer organizations, and community stakeholders.
Represent the project in regional coordination platforms, consortium meetings, donor engagements, and stakeholder forums.
Strengthen collaboration with technical and vocational institutions, agribusiness actors, and market systems stakeholders.
Promote collaboration, resource mobilization opportunities, and the visibility of the project and DFCU within the Bukedi sub-region.
Identify strategic opportunities for partnerships and long-term programme sustainability.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms to address systemic constraints and unlock key enablers (land, finance, technology, and markets)
Strengthening service ecosystems, including logistics, processing, marketing, and cold chain systems
Ensure consistent integration of gender equality, disability inclusion, and youth empowerment principles across all districts

6. Inclusion and Social Impact

Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and government regulations.
Promote safeguarding, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct across all project operations.
Identify and mitigate operational, financial, programmatic, and safeguarding risks.
Support the implementation of audit findings and compliance recommendations.
Monitor and drive performance against inclusion targets, particularly for young women, PWDs, and vulnerable groups
Promote youth leadership, voice, and agency within producer organizations and local governance structures

7. Capacity Building and Technical Support (Oversight)

Supervise, mentor, and support District Coordinators and cluster level staff to ensure effective delivery of project interventions.
Conduct regular field supervision, coaching, and performance management support across the cluster.
Build a high-performing cluster implementation team focused on accountability, high-performing, collaborative, and results-driven team culture
Support staff capacity development in project implementation, reporting, safeguarding, gender inclusion, and community engagement.
Promote teamwork, collaboration, effective communication, staff welfare, and compliance with organizational policies and safeguarding standards.
Coordinate regional planning, scheduling, and implementation review meetings.
Build the capacity of district teams in market systems development, enterprise facilitation, financial inclusion, and inclusive programming as they relate to the YEELD program

8. Monitoring, Reporting, and Adaptive Learning

Monitor progress against project indicators and targets across the cluster.
Ensure timely and routine data collection and submission into the MIS by the project team and community structures
Review and consolidate reports submitted by District Coordinators into a quality cluster level report that is timely submitted
Support MEAL activities, such as data quality assurance, service quality assurance, and learning documentation,
Ensure proper documentation of lessons learned, case studies, success stories, and best practices.
Support in conducting donor reporting, audits, assessments, and compliance processes.
Support in conducting project studies such as baseline, midterm review, end of project, tracer and other studies as may be organised.
Oversee cluster-level monitoring systems, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and timely reporting across districts
Promote evidence-based decision-making, adaptive management, and continuous learning across the cluster

9. Financial and Administrative Oversight

Oversee cluster operations and ensure efficient, accountable utilization of project resources.
Monitor budget utilization and support financial accountability and compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
Review field accountability documentation and activity expenditures.
Coordinate logistics, procurement planning, asset management, and administrative functions required for project implementation.
Ensure proper management of office facilities, equipment, and organizational assets.
Support partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and investors to increase capital flows to youth enterprises
Promote innovative approaches to de-risk youth agribusiness and catalyze private sector investment across the cluster

10. Quality Assurance and Programme Development

Promote quality programming and continuous improvement across all project districts.
Support innovation, learning, and the adoption of best practices in livestock development and youth empowerment.
Contribute to project planning, reviews, and strategic development initiatives.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s) and participate in organisational planning and learning processes as required.
To undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by the line manager.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field
A Postgraduate qualification in Project Management, Agribusiness, livestock development, Agricultural Economics, Development Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
8 years’ experience in development programs, including market systems, livelihoods, or agribusiness
Proven experience managing multi-district programs and supervising field teams
Strong track record in stakeholder engagement and partnership development
Experience in financial inclusion (VSLAs, SACCOs) and youth/women’s economic empowerment
Exposure to livestock value chains is an added advantage
Familiarity with the Teso region is preferred

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Strong leadership and people management skills
Ability to drive results, performance, and accountability
Strong understanding of market systems and enterprise development approaches
Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving abilities
Effective communication, facilitation, and reporting skills
Good knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning systems
High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability
Proficiency in digital tools and Microsoft Office applications

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Behavioral Competencies

Integrity and Commitment: Upholds YEELD values, ethics, and safeguarding standards
Ownership and Results Orientation: Drives performance and accountability
Strategic Thinking: Adapts interventions using data and systems thinking
Collaboration and Influence: Builds strong partnerships and influences stakeholders
Leadership: Guides, mentors, and develops high-performing teams
Adaptive Learning: Promotes learning, innovation, and continuous improvement

SAFEGUARDING AND INCLUSION COMMITMENT

The role holder must uphold safeguarding principles and ensure that all interventions are inclusive, safe, and accessible, particularly for young women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their application to: https://careers.dfcugroup.com

Applications must include the following:

A cover letter clearly stating the position applied for and highlighting relevant experience.
An updated curriculum vitae (CV) with at least three (3) professional referees.

Deadline for applications is not later than 8:00am Tuesday 30th, June 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

dfcu Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and refugees or displaced persons, in line with the YEELD Programme’s inclusion commitments. Canvassing of any kind will lead to automatic disqualification.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

dfcu Foundation is committed to maintaining a transparent and ethical recruitment process. Please be advised that all applications and recruitment services are provided entirely free of charge. At no stage of the hiring process does dfcu Foundation request or accept any form of payment.

If you have any concerns, inquiries, or suspect any fraudulent activity related to this recruitment process, please contact dfcu Foundation directly at: info@foundation.dfcugroup.com.