SNV Senior Agri-business Advisor - RWANDA

Are you interested in joining an organisation with a long term commitment to fighting poverty? Would you like to work in a challenging environment and develop an international career focused on demonstrating shared core values that achieve results?

SNV Rwanda is looking for a:

Senior Agri-business Advisor

Duty station: Kigali, Rwanda

(International contract)

SNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation working in over 30 developing countries for more than 40 years. SNV has been working in Rwanda since 1980 and is active in all of SNV’s three sectors (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Renewable Energy and Agriculture).

In Rwanda, agriculture is the dominant economic activity and remains the main source of employment for about 80% of the population and accounts for about 45% of exports. As such it is a key entry point for increasing growth and reducing poverty in the country. Commercialisation and use of technology are seen as key strategies to further develop the sector, while the Government of Rwanda considers cooperative development as a key component of the sector development.

In the Agriculture sector, we focus on Value Chain Development in the three sub-sectors of Coffee, Dairy and Beekeeping. We build on existing knowledge; experience and our track record in value chain development to stimulate pro-poor growth, unlock resources and create wealth in an inclusive way whilst ensuring good governance practices

SNV Rwanda is looking for a highly qualified and experienced candidate responsible for increasing income, food security and employment at producer level in the Coffee, Dairy, and Beekeeping sectors and possibly in other sub-sectors for future consideration.

Responsibilities

Further fine tune, with respect to selected value chains, the existing VCD conceptual implementation framework and promote continuous knowledge development within the SNV country team, together with development partners and LCBs and with VCD practitioners
Coordinate VCD activities in assigned programmes and give guidance to the team and on the implementation of the SNV VCD approach through the provision of capacity development services to the actors in the VC and those working in the enabling environment and by facilitating result oriented change and multi stake holder processes
Project acquisition, and the development of proposals for external funding and lead the discussions and negotiations with potential donors and development partners
Develop and maintain a network with key donors, key development practitioners, key Government officials and key private sector development actors
Ensure documentation of the knowledge developed and the experiences/achieved results in the advisory practice and the practice of our clients
Ensure there is up to date information about market developments in the selected value chains and an on-going analysis of trends in these value chains: identify, together with all relevant stakeholders and through a participatory process
Promote a ‘Governance for Empowerment’ (GfE) approach and pro-actively develop modalities to increase the opportunities for women to be actively involved in market activities as well as to increase their participation in decision making processes within the selected value chains.

Candidate Profile:

Education: Master’s Degree in economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness, business administration, international trade or any Agriculture related discipline
Minimum 8 years professional work experience, including international experience as advisor in agricultural value chain development preferably in East and Central Africa
Strong (cutting edge) knowledge of agricultural sub-sector / value chain analysis. Knowledge of clustering and the approach of systemic competitiveness in value chains and/or local economic development and/or other relevant private sector development methodologies
Extensive experience in Inclusive Business Development
Proven track record in acquisition, proposal development and mobilizing of resources
Experience in working with private sector (medium and large companies) in Agri-Business
Demonstrated project management skills
Experience in leading a team of advisors, ability to coordinate advisors across borders
Experience in writing practice-based knowledge documents
Knowledge of gender concepts and promotion of women entrepreneurship
Proficient in English, and preferably working knowledge of French

Description of duty station: Kigali

Medical facilities: Good, there are a number of private clinics in Kigali

Educational facilities: There is a Belgium primary and secondary school as well as an American primary and secondary schools

Security situation: Good

Accessibility: Good. 1 hour flight from Nairobi and there are several daily international flights to and from Kigali

Communication: Very good

Contract period: 2 years with possibility of extension

Desired start date: August 2013

More information about SNV

SNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation. We believe that no-one should have to live in poverty and that all people should have the opportunity to pursue their own sustainable development.

Starting out in the Netherlands more than 40 years ago, we now work in over 30 of the poorest countries worldwide. Our global team of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services - empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

By sharing our specialist expertise in Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, we contribute to solving some of the leading problems facing the world today – helping to find local solutions to global challenges and sowing the seeds of lasting change.

SNV aims to make a lasting difference in the lives of 40 million people living in poverty over the period 2011-2015.

For more information, please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org

How to apply:

Please apply by clicking on http://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/327817 and completing your application in our in-house recruitment system before 28 June 2013.