Dear Beatrice,
I am applying for the position of Agriculture Team Leader to be based in Acholi sub region of Uganda at International Rescue Committee.
International Rescue Committee is one of the most recognized and prestigious organizations in the world. This is my chance to make a
substantial progress in personal career and thus contribute to the organizational development.
I am aged 36 and a Uganda by birth. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, measuring in Crop Science from Makerere University,
Kampala – Uganda. Therefore, this position of Agriculture Team Leader is within my professional qualification. I am fluent in English and Luo
languages.
I have already over five years of experience in planning and implementing Resilience, Food Security and Livelihood projects in Lango, Acholi
and Karamoja sub regions of Uganda with International Rescue Committee. While working as an agriculture officer with International Rescue
Committee on Economic Recovery and Development programme, I trained, supervised and mentored over 50 Community Based Trainers in
Lira, Alebtong , Kitgum, Lamwo, Amudat and Nakapiripirit districts. These CBTs trained the farming groups at the parish level. Within the first
two years of supervision and mentorship of CBTs of Nakapiripirit district, two CBTs got promoted from being the CBTs with IRC to supervision of
the health promoters with Concern International in Uganda.
The excellent communication and coordination skills I have bridged the gaps between the beneficiaries, local government officials, religious
leaders and the CBTs. This in turn, promoted growth of the groups/APFSs within the district of Nakapiripirit, some of which were greatly
acknowledged by the donors and IRC technocrats from within and without the country on visiting them.
I have very good problem identification and solving skills. Conflicts at work place in a necessary evil, however, I believe in building strong bond
among my team, and each one of them ought to be supportive to one another. In doing this, it minimizes laziness, discouragement, feeling
isolated and eventually conflicts. This builds confidence among the team and enables them develop their career. However, when conflict evolves
between two parties, it is important to resolve the as immediate as possible. Mediation is one of the most applicable approaches in resolving
conflicts at work place.
As the Agriculture Team Leader, I would ensure that Agriculture Officers schedule their annual leave in advance, so that I can compile and share
with the ERD manager ahead of time. This would help in proper engagement of the agriculture team without stressing them due to poor leave
planning.
I had high level of collaboration with the ERD staff, most especially, the marketing and VSLA officers. In the event that VSLA officer was on
leave, I was always delegated to step in for her. I supported the marketing team so much in areas of trainings and data collection. Data like; yield
estimates at different crop growth stages. Trainings farmers and collective Marketing Committees on store pest and disease management,
postharvest handling. Linking farmers to potential buyers and certified input dealers. For example, in Lamwo district, the capacity of CBTs in
Agoro is greatly built. The CBT of Lacino parish, Walter, is now buying produce from farmers, adding value to it and selling highly to the potential
buyers.
I am pretty sure that acquaintance with the IRC internal regulating policy of integrity, service and accountability is a chance for me to plan well
with my team. Develop monthly work plan and coming up with the spending plan, not forgetting to look at cost effectiveness of such an activity.
This can be made effective by devising means that aims at cutting costs while not compromising quality of work. This is done through
brainstorming as a team. For example, organizing for exchange visit activity between adjacent parishes to cut on the cost of transport refund.
My recent experience in Karamoja has provided me with in-depth knowledge of handling colleagues of diverse cultures and norms. I learnt a lot
on the importance of team work, neutral respect for one another, good work ethics/ professionalism. I developed passion for the result-oriented
work and this has made me a ripe candidate for this position and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Maurice Egwete.