CARANA Corporation Jobs July 2013

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.

1. Investment Attraction & Aftercare Coach

Duties:

Improve Aftercare of investors activities within RDB and related agriculture investment entities;
Provide training in: implementing IP strategy; targeting, servicing investors, investment aftercare; IIS; Market Intelligence.
Assist RDB in strengthening its Facilitation and Aftercare functions;
Design and implement a plan for increasing operational projects’ conversion rate with clear performance targets.

Qualifications:

FDI practitioner/expert with experience in management and coaching on implementation of FDI strategies and aligning IP tools, techniques and resources for investment generation
Extensive investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare experience.
Deep understanding of issues and regulations affecting Agricultural development in Africa
MBA or Master’s degree in Economics, Finance or relevant field
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

2.Communications Manager

Duties:

Prepare quarterly reports, success stories, web material, YouTube, press releases and other forms of communications for the project.
Encourage and implement exchange of knowledge, project branding, and community involvement.
Must understand the importance of getting important information out and has the networks and ability to network with various bodies – public and private sector.
Oversee project website and content.

Minimum qualifications:

5 years of experience in any of the following: journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising, or media;
University degree in journalism, media relations, communications, or related field;
Previous experience managing USAID project communications highly desired;
Website design experience a plus;
Fluent in English and French;
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

3.Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Duties:

Make operational decisions and manage the various components of the program dealing with M&E, will oversee data collection efforts and ensure both the Project Management Plan and results reporting meet the requirements of the project.
Be in continuous communication with the USAID/Rwanda mission, and will demonstrate an ability to take critical inputs, feedback, and assessments from evaluation partners to inform changes in program approaches and scale-up.
Ensure that these and other program components are results-oriented.
This individual will have a major focus on achieving results to assure that all partners on schedule.

Minimum Qualifications:

Masters Degree in business administration or related area of study or equivalent work experience.
Specialized training in M&E is required.
Experience Requirements: Seven (7) years or more of progressively responsible work experience in managing complex project of similar size. At least 5 years of monitoring and evaluation work at the supervisory level
Fluency in English required; French preferred.
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

4. Agricultural Cooperatives Specialist

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.

5. Inputs Specialist

Duties:

Increase smallholder farmers’ knowledge about the benefits of using high quality inputs;
Develop and strengthen relationships between smallholder farmers and input providers;
Work with government to facilitate access to inputs;
Strengthen the private and public sector roles in demonstrating the benefits of using improved inputs;
Create incentives to increase use/demand for inputs;
Collaborate closely with PReFER and other USAID and Government of Rwanda Inputs projects.

Qualifications:

5-plus years experience working in agricultural inputs;
University degree in Agriculture-related field;
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

6.Access to Finance Specialist

Duties:

Facilitate access to finance for agricultural SMEs;
Identify solutions to VC finance along the selected value chains;
Collaborate with financial institutions to prepare financial solutions best suited for agricultural VCs;
Provide training to banks and other financial institutions on lending to the agricultural sector and risk managements of agricultural portfolios;
Develop financial packages with impact investors.

Qualifications:

University degree in Business or Economics, public policy or related field;
7-plus years experience in Access to Finance;
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

7. Value Chain Advisors

Duties:

Oversee anchor firms/value chain (VC) initiatives;
Facilitate market linkages through targeted outreach to select buyers, distributors, brokers and investors, and develop relationships with potential buyers, investors and market intermediaries for selected products.
Identify anchor firms that will combine technical assistance, training, and other relevant support to the SMEs embedded in the anchor firm’s product value chain;
Identify gaps and constraints in industry-specialized VCs;
Develop and implement VC business plans;
Coordinate technical assistance to farmers, cooperatives and firms on production, productivity, management, finance, marketing, inputs to meet anchor firms’ requirements;
Increase incomes/profits of farmers and cooperatives by successfully integrating them to into competitive VCs.

Qualifications:

Experience integrating smaller farmers and producers into competitive value chains
Experience training small farmers and cooperatives on horizontal cross cutting issues affecting VC development;
Experience working in business, marketing, and/or sales.
Experience working with one or more of the following: agribusinesses, input suppliers, agricultural banks, buyers, etc.
Must have a strong network and ability to find new markets.
Demonstrated success in implementing programs aimed at increasing the competitiveness and inclusiveness of value chains using facilitation approaches
Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development (i.e., USAID’s value chain and facilitation approach) that reaches women, youth, the poor and very poor
Demonstrated creativity, willingness to innovate, think systemically and design catalytic activities
7-plus years experience in value chain and firm level assistance to MSMEs;
Master’s degree in agriculture or related field preferred;
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

8.Director of Agriculture Sector Reform and Facilitation Group

Duties:

Coordinate the implementation of Investment Framework;
Direct and manage ASRFG to be hosted at MINAGRI;
Facilitate dialogue and coordination between the public and private sectors;
Streamline investment procedures among ASRFG institutions.

Qualifications:

Experience in public and private sector management;
Knowledge of Rwanda’s agribusiness conditions;
Understanding of agricultural institutional landscape;
5-plus years of management experience coordinating inter-institutional arrangements;
University degree in relevant area; MBA or Master’s degree in Economics, Finance or relevant field considered a plus;
Must be a Rwandan citizen.

9. Investment Legal Advisor

Duties:

Review laws and regulations affecting investment implementation, operations and propose reforms;
Assist foreign investors with the registration process and obtaining certificates through the RDB
Provide assistance to the RDG and MINAGRI in order to better facilitate FDI
Provide robust data and analysis for policy and performance targets based on understanding of private-sector need.

Qualifications:

7+ years of experience in public sector policies, investment law and regulation.
Law degree (JD, LLM or equivalent) with focus on investment law, and licensed to practice law in Rwanda;
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

10. Organizational Development Specialist

Duties:

Review and evaluate RDB’s IP and Implementation Department, and Aftercare and Knowledge Assessment Methodology (KAM) coordination;
Develop new IP&PD structure with IP best practices, and coordination mechanism with Agriculture Department;
Develop job descriptions;
Streamline lines of operation between RDB and other institutions;
Create a performance-based system with specific targets, developed and adopted for each public entity involved in agriculture related investments.

Qualifications:

Human resources specialist with 7-plus years of experience in human resources management, organizational design and developing job descriptions;
5-plus years of experience in inter-institutional coordination;
University degree in relevant field;
Preference will be given to Rwandan citizens.

How To Apply

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.

Find original Announcements HERE:http://www.carana.com/employment/international