Programme Assistant - Marketing and Sales

Organizational Setting

The Sustainable Wood-Based Value Chains (GCP/UGA/072/EC) is a project being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Uganda. FAO integrates operational capacity with technical expertise and experience to promote forest production, and sustainable use while considering human, social, economic and environmental factors. Most tree growers who were previously funded by EU through the FAO/SPGS project have trees which are now ready for harvesting, processing and marketing. These downstream operations require specialised skills and knowledge which are not yet well developed in the forest sector. Community, medium and small-scale tree growers in Uganda would like to sell their wood and non-wood forest product at a profit which will enable then replant and maintain their plantations. 

The project aims to advise tree growers on policy, advocacy and lobbying for enabling environment in the forestry sector.  The project would like to contribute to implementation of wood products market study, improvement of the sector’s market position and achievement of financial growth for tree farmers and wood processors. The project plans to recruit a Programme Assistant - Marketing and Sales with specialized expertise in identifying and developing business opportunities, and viable income streams for the tree growers. The Programme Assistant - Marketing and Sales must have an in-depth knowledge of wood products and non-wood forest products. 

Reporting Lines

The Programme Assistant - Marketing and Sales will work under the general supervision of FAO Representative in Uganda, and the direct technical supervision of the Sustainable Wood-based Value Chain Project Coordinator and UTGA Chief Executive Officer, and will work closely with the UTGA Programme Officer and the Technical Advisor Harvesting and Processing,

Technical Focus 

Under the general supervision of FAO Representative in Uganda, and the direct technical supervision of the Sustainable Wood-based Value Chain Project Coordinator, Project Lead Technical Officer and UTGA Chief Executive Officer, and in close cooperation with UTGA Head of Finance and Administration, the Programme Assistant - Marketing and Sales will increasing the forest sector client base, sales and promote timber as a building and furniture material. The Programme Assistant - Marketing and Sales will specifically carry out the following tasks:

Tasks and Responsibilities

•    Identify new methods and opportunities for increasing timber sales.
•    Conduct forest product market surveys and update actors in the value chains.
•    Follow industry trends locally and internationally.
•    Promote timber as a building material and furniture material and communicating new product developments to clients.
•    Develop the group marketing innovation for the Association.
•    Develop proposals that speak to the client’s needs, concerns, and objectives.
•    Arrange meetings for lobbing, advocacy and negotiating for timber and non-timber related issues.
•    Find new customers, investors, tree growers and processors.
•    Support the marketing and sales of products and services of the UTGA Merchant timber yard.
•    Operationalize, disseminate and manage the UTGA online timber market (TIMBERMART).
•    Ensure availability of forest and forest product resource information to market actors e.g., investors.
•    Prepare promotional PowerPoint presentations. 
•    Organise field days and forest fairs.
•    Any other duties as may be allocated by your supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    A Bachelor university degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Wood Technology and Wood Science, or any related qualifications. 
•    At least 5 years’ experience in marketing forest products in East Africa. 
•    Must be Ugandan National. 
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English. (Level C)

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Solid experience marketing timber and non-wood forest products.
•    Previous experience working with international partners on related assignments.

Selection Criteria

•    A postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION