Quality Assurance Officers(Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA))-Job Vacancies in Uganda

Job Title:   Quality Assurance Officers
Post(s): 3 vacancies
Organisation: Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA)
Job Location: Kampala, Uganda
Deadline: 31st December 2013 (5:00pm)
Reports to: COE Coordinator

About UCDA:
Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) was established by statutory mandate in 1991 following the liberalization of the coffee industry. The Statute mandates UCDA to: “oversee the coffee industry by supporting research, promoting production, controlling the quality and improving the marketing of coffee in order to optimize foreign exchange earnings for the country and payments to farmers”. UCDA is implementing the Robusta Coffee Centre of Excellence Project with support from aBi Trust. The COE Project is aimed at developing a sustainable coffee value chain through development of technologies, innovations and promotion of best practices along the coffee value chain, exploring best practices in coffee, conducting specific research to provide accurate information, and carrying out demonstration activities with the view of improving household incomes, and creating a coffee culture. The COE will offer recognized expertise and experience to benefit members of the coffee sector, and also demonstrate the best coffee practices.

Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Officer will implement the COE quality assurance activities, and conduct research in order to build a culture of excellence along the coffee value chain.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

•     Carry out coffee quality research, analyse, interpret and disseminate results in accordance with established protocols and guidelines.
•     Establish the coffee traceability system and create awareness of the concept along the value chain.
•     Conduct coffee profiling and mapping, and link coffees to their origin.
•     Carry out coffee evaluation along the value chain and recommend for the issuance of Q and R certificates.
•     Identify high quality coffee lots and producers, and promote the speciality and fine coffees concept.
•     Conduct trainings in coffee quality, and organise workshops for demonstration of best practices.
•     Organise annual on-site events such as open cupping sessions, coffee contests and Taste of Harvest (TOH) contests.
•     Conduct inspections of coffee activities at harvest and post-harvest level so as to ensure continuing compliance with coffee regulations.
•     Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

•     The applicant should hold a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or equivalent qualifications.
•     License in Q and R grading will be an added advantage.
•     A minimum of twoyears working experience in coffee quality control or Lab.
•     Good research skills;
•     Strong interpersonal and team working skills;  
•     Good report writing and communication skills;
•     Computer literacy skills.
•     Readiness to work upcountry.

How to Apply:
If you meet the above requirements, please send your application, curriculum vitae, certified copies of academic transcripts, and telephone contacts and e-mail addresses of three referees to;
Principal Human Resource Officer,
UCDA Coffee House,
Plot 35 Jinja Road, P.O. Box 7267, Kampala, Uganda.
E-mail applications should be sent to:  ucda@ugandacoffee.org.