Agricultural Cooperatives Specialist

CARANA Corporation (www.carana.com), a contractor for USAID, designs and directs innovative economic growth strategies to help countries and businesses compete globally, reducing poverty and raising living standards around the world. For 30 years, we have specialized in market-led solutions to development challenges in more than 100 countries, packaging our expertise with on-the-ground resources for continuing, cost-effective results.

CARANA is recruiting qualified candidates for the USAID-funded Rwanda Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth Project. This anticipated 5-year activity intends to increase smallholder incomes by agriculture investment project in Rwanda, as part of the larger Feed the Future Initiative. The  project aims to promote private sector investments – internationally and domestically - that contribute to the Government of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 aim of transforming agriculture into a market-oriented, competitive, and high-value sector.

Duties:

• Analyze cooperative development gaps/needs;
• Develop and roll out a training program and technical assistance for gaps identified, particularly around organizational development and capacity to supply larger urban, regional or international markets;
• Help link cooperatives to markets, financial products and investments;
• Support the development of cooperative business plans;
• Ensure cooperative gaps and needs are addressed in government investment plans;
• Collaborate and build capacity with the Rwanda Cooperative Agency.

Qualifications:

• Experience in cooperative management training/TA;
• In-depth understanding of best practices in cooperative formation and business models;
• Familiarity with value chain approaches, including experience in approaches to developing horizontal and vertical linkages, and;
• Familiarity with the Rwanda cooperative law/policy and overall business environment for cooperatives;
• University degree in Agriculture-related field;
• Knowledge of adult training agriculture extension methodologies;
• Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

To apply: Submit a detailed CV to Rwanda.CARANA@gmail.com.  Please specify the position title in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted with more information. CARANA is an EOE.