Job Title: Field Operator
Organisation: Rootical
Duty Station: Soroti, Uganda
About Organisation:
Rootical business builder is a startup studio that powers purpose-driven entrepreneurs in Uganda to build and own their regenerative agri-food companies. Bringing together talent, capital and ideas — a startup studio is a structured endeavor around a repeatable process to build businesses. Rootical is a collaboration between Shona and Fresh Ventures Studio. Since 2013, Shona has been providing business advisory and business training to help SMEs grow revenues and become profitable businesses. We teamed up with Shona because of our shared urgency to build businesses that matter. They are the expert partner for developing good businesses in Uganda. Fresh Ventures Studio builds new companies that accelerate a circular and regenerative food system in Europe. Fresh launched in 2021 to work alongside founders to address the world’s most pressing problems through scalable agri-food ventures. We joined forces with Fresh to build on their experience and implement a similar model in Uganda.
Job Summary: The Field Operator will play a key role in piloting a regenerative food-water-energy business model. (S)he will support business development and market access for smallholder farmers in Soroti by implementing and maintaining water harvesting and irrigation structures, syntropic agroforestry and solar energy systems. This role ensures smooth functionality of irrigation, solar pumps, and energy systems while supporting farmers in adopting regenerative practices. The role is ideal for a motivated self driven individual passionate about regenerative agriculture, community development, and social entrepreneurship.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Farmer Support & Training
- Train farmers on syntropic agroforestry and proper water usage, irrigation scheduling, and system maintenance.
- Assist in implementing syntropic agroforestry plots (e.g., planting, pruning, mulching).
- Educate communities on greywater recycling and sustainable water management.
- Gather farmer feedback to adapt and improve farming models and service offerings.
System Operation & Maintenance
- Operate and maintain solar-powered water pumps, swales, ponds, and irrigation systems.
- Implement and maintain syntropic agroforestry systems to enhance biodiversity, soil health, and crop productivity.
- Apply keyline permaculture principles for landscape-scale water and soil management.
- Conduct routine checks and repairs on solar microgrids, and water storage infrastructure.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate with suppliers for major repairs.
Market Access & Business Development Support
- Lead business pilot implementation activities like testing out different components of the model with the pilot cluster of farmers.
- Assist in developing market linkages for food forest products (vegetables, fruits, timber, nuts, etc.) and staples.
- Support farmer cooperatives in value addition, branding, and sales strategies.
- Help document and report on farm productivity and economic impact for investors and partners.
Data Collection & Reporting
- Monitor water levels, energy usage, and system performance.
- Monitor and improve agroecological practices, including mulching, composting, and natural pest management.
- Conduct regular field assessments to track soil health, plant growth, and water efficiency.
- Track farmer adoption rates and challenges for business improvement.
- Submit weekly reports on system functionality and farmer feedback.
Community Engagement
- Work closely with “Water Mayors” (community agents) to ensure fee collection and service compliance.
- Mobilize farmers for feedback sessions, training sessions, field days, and maintenance activities.
- Promote pay-as-you-use model and troubleshoot payment issues (mobile money transactions).
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Hands-on experience in agroforestry, irrigation, solar, or water systems
- Diploma/Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Environmental Science, or related field.
- Ability to conduct basic repairs (plumbing, solar, etc.)
- Proficient in English and Ateso
Nice-to-Have:
- Permaculture or agroecology exposure
- Motorcycle license or riding experience
- Familiarity with Soroti farming communities
- years of hands-on experience in water/energy systems or agroecology.
- We provide a stipend to cover basic expenses (transport, communication and meals).
- In every new team member, we look for a strong alignment on values and shared vision.
- You are able to demonstrate how you embody Rootical’s values and share the vision of how our future food systems should look like.
- You are always thinking of creative solutions to challenges.
- You are a self-starter, able to tackle projects without much guidance.
- You don’t fear trying something new and experimenting.
- You are not easily overwhelmed.
- You believe in the power of entrepreneurship to solve some of the greatest challenges that we face and will jump for an opportunity to play a small part in a grand journey as we seek to make our food systems more fair and regenerative.
How to Apply:
Send your CV and 1-page cover letter to elivis@rootical.org with the subject: “Field Operator – [Your Name]”
Application Prompt: In your cover letter, describe a time you fixed a technical issue in a resource-limited setting. What steps did you take?
Deadline: 23rd June 2025.