Founding Head of Training Centre – Agricultural TVET & Agribusiness Elgon Region, Eastern Uganda

The Werner Erkes Foundation (WEF) is a German non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting education. Through its local structures in Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa, the Foundation supports education initiatives with a strong focus on long-term social impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Following an assessment, WEF intends to establish an Agricultural Vocational Training Centre in the Elgon Region, Eastern Uganda. To lead its development, establishment, and future operation, WEF seeks a Founding Head of Training Centre with strong expertise in agriculture, vocational training, and agribusiness model development. 

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership of the Training Center: Lead the establishment of the Agricultural Vocational Training Center. This includes conducting a needs assessment for agricultural training and agribusiness opportunities, consulting stakeholders, selecting suitable land, developing an integrated campus and farm concept, and shaping a suitable agricultural vocational training and agribusiness model (e.g., crop production, livestock production, and value addition). 

Operational Leadership of the Training Center: Prepare the center for operation, including developing timetables, training schedules, and the initial farm operations plan; coordinating the procurement of equipment, teaching materials, and farm inputs  required, and coordinating the onboarding process for the first cohort of trainees. 

Financial Management and Staff Development: Oversee the center's financial management and staff development by establishing and managing the budget and financing model, recruiting staff, and further developing staffing structures, roles, and team capacities in line with the centre’s evolving needs. 

Quality Assurance, Compliance, and Organizational Development: Lead the day-to-day management of the training center, including the development of its educational and agribusiness structures; monitoring training quality, farm activities and financial sustainability; and ensuring compliance with legal, administrative, and safeguarding requirements. 

Representation, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with TVET  authorities, local government representatives, parents and guardians, agricultural businesses, training partners, community representatives and external partners. Build  partnerships for industrial training, agribusiness cooperation and market access. 

Working Relationship and Reporting 

The Founding Head will be part of the WEF Uganda team, report to the WEF Project  Manager in Germany and work closely with the WEF Project Coordinator in Uganda. Major  strategic decisions will be coordinated with WEF management, while the Founding Head will hold responsibility for the centre’s daily leadership and development.

Ideal Profile 

1. A highly self-driven mindset, with the ability to identify challenges, take initiative  and develop solutions independently, without requiring day-to-day supervision.
   
2. At least eight years of combined professional experience across agricultural vocational education and agribusiness development, with demonstrated experience in both areas, preferably within the Ugandan TVET context.
3. Degree or professional qualification in an agricultural field. Candidates with a related background may also be considered if they can demonstrate agricultural expertise through practical experience.
4. Sound understanding of agricultural vocational training in Uganda as well as agricultural value chains and market-oriented production and agribusiness, including crop production, livestock production, and value addition. 
   
5. Excellent English and the ability to communicate in Luganda are required; knowledge of Lumasaba/Lugisu is an advantage. 

What We Offer 

• The opportunity to contribute to a meaningful mission and actively support social change through practical training and employment opportunities for young people in Eastern Uganda. 

• A long-term position with a perspective for growth within a developing foundation structure. 

• Significant room for initiative, ownership, and creative contribution in shaping a new agricultural vocational training center from the ground up. 

• Fair compensation within the framework of a non-profit organization. Application Details 

• We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible. 

•Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.

If you are interested, please send your application documents, including your CV, a cover letter, and your annual salary expectations, to jobs@erkes.de 

Please use the subject line: Application – Founding Head of Training Centre We look forward to receiving your application!