Field Coordinator, Community Knowledge Worker (CKW)

Position: Field Coordinator, Community Knowledge Worker (CKW)

Status: Full-Time Project Employee (End date Aug 31, 2014)

Location: Uganda (based in Kampala)

Date: April 2013

Job Summary: The Field Coordinator (FC) will oversee various field activities of the CKW project in Uganda which will include working with field officers, “Super CKWs”, various local district stakeholders, as well as coordinate field visits for GF and partners. The FC will also develop district profiles for the targeted areas, conduct field assessments for purposes of mapping and serve on at least one partner coverage team. This position presents a management opportunity for a dynamic leader to guide and manage a team that is at the core of leveraging ICT to improve the lives of the poor.


Reporting and relationships: The position will report to the CKW Network and Training Manager, Uganda. The FC directly supervises Field-based officers and contractors.

Availability: The Field Coordinator is expected to work a typical work week of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done. The position will be based in Kampala, but with lots field work as the position suggests. This position will require frequent travel (75%) to the rural areas or even more as may be needed.

Essential Job Functions
• Oversee and guide field officers and other field-based contractors
• Strengthen the skills of field officers in providing technical and moral support to the CKWs
• Develop work plans and support schedules for the field-based officers
• Develop success metrics for field officers to track CKW progress in terms of implementing project objectives.
• Report regularly on progress in the field in terms of CKW technical capabilities, challenges, motivation and commitment towards disseminating information as well as data collection.
• Streamline field activities to meet both Grameen’s objectives and partner expectations.
• Troubleshoot and work with the backend technical support team to track CKW performance against set targets.

• Local stakeholder engagements
o Make courtesy calls to relevant district officials to introduce the CKW project. The officials should include: District Agricultural Officer (DAO), Accounting Officer (CAO), Resident District Commissioner (RDC), NAADS Coordinator, and sub-county/village officials where necessary.
o Draft templates of relevant documentation for district officials.
• Letters of introduction from Grameen to district, sub-county and village officials.
• Project overview documents
• Sample marketing materials for launched and developed mobile applications
o Organize orientation meetings for local government officials.


Coordinate field visits and field assessments of partner sites
• Develop district profiles for targeted areas
• Develop field assessment check lists for partner sites
• Map partner sites and CKW locations
• Coordinate prototyping field visits for GF team
• Test newly developed mobile applications with technology team
• Coordinate field visits for various stakeholders and GF team to offer support and see the CKWs in action
• Field research with CKWs/clients for needs assessments and relevant feedback

Serving on at least on one partner coverage team
• Attend at least one partner meeting
• Take notes to identify necessary field assessment needs
• Schedule possible dates for field visits in consultation with GF

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission and understanding of and commitment to development in Africa and agriculture in general.
• At least 5 years experience working with farmers in the rural areas, with a proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations in the rural areas
• Excellent people skills – ability to manage complex situations (operational and tactical) with proven ability to work effectively with people from different cultures
• Strong leadership, and time management skills and ability to work collaboratively across different localities in Uganda
• Innovative and creative enough to solve unstructured problems encountered in supervising field officers and a network of over 1000 CKWs.
• Ability to manage complexities under pressure.
• Should have excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to act as a lead representative of GF in local government forum
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and mobile phones
• Ability to promote knowledge transfer through strong mentoring and team building skills
• Enthusiasm and passion for development work in Uganda and the region
• Belief in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) for the benefit of small holder farmers –with practical experience.
• Commitment to building social and gender equity into program design and approach
• Ability to drive, bearing a valid driving permit will be an added advantage
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Social Sciences or Developmental Studies.
• At least 5 years experience of working with rural development projects that are agricultural related
• Knowledge of information and communication technology (ICTs) preferred
• Fluent in oral and written English
• Proven communication and writing skills

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
This position requires the expected demands on physical efforts associated with working in rural areas. This position may occasionally require physical effort to walk to farmers homes which are inaccessible by car or motorbike, travel long distances back & forth or work beyond normal office hours to achieve a desired goal.
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comment:
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Interested candidates should send their resume and brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and what you will bring to the position. Resumes will be accepted through March 2013 and should be sent via email to jobs@applab.org. Please put “FC-CKW” in the subject line. No Phone Calls, Please.