Jua Dai Fleer

YEP period 2020 - 2021, batch 20
Young Expert at Ecopolis Europa - UgandaYEP Role
Ecopolis Europa, for whom I work, is an NL-based consultancy company that focuses on capacity building of organizations, companies, institutions, and communities in the areas of agriculture, organizational development, urban planning, and sustainable development. The company has a record of operating globally (Asia, Europe, Africa, South America), however is now more aimed towards eastern Africa.
As a Young Expert, I am working for Ecopolis Europa a ‘junior advisor sustainable highland agriculture’ and I mainly assisting one of the company’s partners, namely ‘Kilimo Kisasa Ltd’. Kilimo Kisasa Ltd is a highland farm in Zombo district, Uganda that produces (seed) potatoes and functions as a role model farm in the region. The farm aspires to become sustainable and preferably organic in its production of potatoes, to initiate and organize an agro-ecological ecosystem in the area, and to become the largest environmentally friendly and community-enhancing potato farm in East Africa. My role is to assist in the coordination of the farm’s commercial activities and vocational smallholder training, generating knowledge by doing research on innovation-oriented highland farming, and developing extensive networks, exchanges, and collaborations between stakeholders of highland farming in eastern Africa.
As a YEPper, I am based in Arua city, Uganda, and work closely with my fellow YEPper Milos van Leest. My working period at the YEP programme is from May 2020 till May 2022.
Skills
English fluent in understanding, writing, reading speaking, listening, and humor
French understanding and conversational fluency in speaking (B2 level)
Spanish understanding and speaking (B1 level)
Capable of designing, implementing, and reporting data collections
Capable of writing and reading scientific reports
Capable of writing proposals and applying for funds
Good relations management and networking
Able to work and strive in remote places in the tropics; preferable Africa
Eye for agricultural development in combination with biodiversity and nature conservation
Specialised in technology adoption processes
Background
Nationality: Dutch
Education: BSc in ‘Regional Development and Innovation’ at Van Hall Larenstein and MSc in ‘Development and Rural Innovation’ at Wageningen University and Research
Experience before YEP
See LinkedIn: Jua Dai Fleer