Business Advisor: Aquaculture

Rikolto in East Africa is part of the Rikolto network, an international NGO with more than 50 years of experience working with farmer organizations and food chain actors in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Rikolto's mission is to contribute to the development of a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector, where family farmers supply quality products for their own consumption and various markets (national, regional, and international).

In Uganda, Rikolto is implementing the Climate-Resilient Businesses for Wetland Adjacent Communities project, funded by aBi Development. This project aims to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agribusinesses among 50,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Uganda, with aquaculture as a key alternative livelihood to reduce pressure on wetland ecosystems.

Rikolto is currently seeking to hire a Business Advisor – Aquaculture to lead this component of the project. The Advisor will support wetland-adjacent communities in transitioning from unsustainable rice cultivation to profitable and environmentally sustainable fish farming enterprises. The role includes providing technical and business advisory services, facilitating market linkages, strengthening cooperatives, and promoting climate-smart aquaculture practices. The Advisor will also collaborate with stakeholders to ensure policy alignment, quality assurance, and inclusive value chain development.

Job Purpose

To lead aquaculture interventions that contribute to sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and inclusive value chain development for wetland-adjacent communities in Eastern Uganda.

Reports to: Project Manager
Contract Duration: 1 year (renewable)
Duty Station: Eastern Uganda

Responsibilities

Aquaculture Enterprise Development and Advisory

• Support the transformation of fish farmer groups into professional cooperatives.
• Provide tailored business development services to aquaculture SMEs and cooperatives, focusing on profitability, innovation, and sustainability.
• Facilitate access to green finance and input support through partnerships with financial institutions.
• Promote adoption of improved aquaculture technologies, including pond design, feed formulation, and disease control.
• Collaborate with academic institutions, UFPEA, and government agencies to co-develop and pilot new aquaculture models.

Market Systems Strengthening

• Broker long-term contract farming agreements between fish cooperatives and off-takers/processors.
• Facilitate the establishment and strengthening of multi-stakeholder platforms for fish value chains.
• Support advocacy for regional fish aggregation centers and cold storage infrastructure.
• Promote branding, certification, and quality assurance to meet market standards.

Capacity Building and Training

• Conduct sensitization workshops on sustainable aquaculture and wetland conservation.
• Build capacity of farmers on pond management, post-harvest handling, and market compliance.
• Train cooperative leaders and extension agents in business planning, financial literacy, and enterprise management.
• Promote youth and women inclusion in aquaculture through targeted training and incubation support.

Policy Engagement and Compliance

• Facilitate awareness and localization of fish farming regulations and wetland use policies.
• Work with MAAIF, MWE, and district governments to harmonize aquaculture guidelines.
• Support community-led conservation structures and link aquaculture participation to wetland restoration.

Learning, Documentation, and Reporting

• Document lessons learned, success stories, and best practices from aquaculture interventions.
• Contribute to project reporting and knowledge products in collaboration with MEL and communications teams.
• Provide data and insights to inform adaptive management and strategic decision-making.

Planning, Strategy, and Coordination

• Contribute to project planning and strategy development.
• Coordinate with the Project Manager, thematic leads (rice, horticulture, youth), and partners to ensure integrated implementation.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture, Fisheries Management, Agribusiness, or a related field (postgraduate qualification is an added advantage).
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in aquaculture business development, value chain strengthening, or agribusiness advisory.
• Proven experience working with farmer groups, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of sustainable aquaculture practices and wetland conservation in Uganda.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of aquaculture production systems, market dynamics, and quality standards.
• Experience in facilitating market linkages and contract farming arrangements.
• Familiarity with aquaculture-related policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and training capabilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, initiative, and results orientation.

Mode of Application

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following:

• A cover letter describing their suitability for the position.
• A detailed CV with contact information for three recent referees.

Applications should be sent to eastafrica.recruitment@rikolto.org no later than 20 September 2025, with the position title “Business Advisor – Aquaculture” in the subject line.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.

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