Value Chain Competitiveness Expert

Since 1963, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in 146 developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil societies. ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately 90 projects in 40 countries.

We are seeking Senior Technical Specialists for a multiyear, USAID-funded project in Rwanda, Private-Sector Driven Agricultural Growth (PSD-AG). The program will increase smallholder incomes by promoting private sector investments that contribute to the government of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 aim of “transforming agriculture into a market-oriented, competitive, and high value-sector.” 

We are seeking candidates for the following positions:

Value Chain Competitiveness Expert
Needed qualifications:
• Experience in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development
• Demonstrated success in implementing programs aimed at increasing the competitiveness and inclusiveness of value chains using facilitation approaches.
• In-depth knowledge of the Rwandan agricultural sector, including national and international market and investment opportunities for high value and staple products.
• Demonstrated track record in building commercial relationships with private sector actors and facilitating local and international investments in agricultural value chains.
• Demonstrated success in strengthening vertical and horizontal linkages between value chain actors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development among women, youth, the poor and very poor.

Enabling Environment Specialist
Needed qualifications:
• Experience in public policy areas focused on agricultural investment promotion, economic growth, trade or value chain competitiveness.
• Experience working closely with government entities to develop a common agenda to attract, support and promote increased investment in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors.
• Demonstrated track record of investment facilitation, public-private partnership design and execution, and negotiation in emerging markets and/or developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience implementing effective public-private dialogue mechanisms and collaborating across ministries and government agencies.
• Experience in assessing and creating investment policies that support private sector investment in agriculture.
• Ability to strengthen public sector capacity to develop and advocate for policies that incorporate private sector perspectives and public sector capabilities.

Chief Financial Officer/Grants Manager
Needed qualifications:
• Experience with financial management and administration for an international development project; previous East African experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing sub-grants and subcontracts, and demonstrated knowledge of USAID regulations related to the oversight of such instruments.

We are also recruiting candidates for the following positions:

• Gender Specialist with experience integrating gender into programmatic interventions.
• M&E Specialist with demonstrated experience developing an M&E plan that monitors progress toward achieving the project’s objectives and USAID’s reporting requirements.
• Finance Specialist with success in facilitating access to finance for SMEs in the agriculture sector.
• Market Linkages Specialist with demonstrated success facilitating partnerships and transactions between value chain actors.
• Natural Resource Management Specialist with experience developing strategies to manage scarce natural resources, such as land.
• Public Private Partnership Advisor with demonstrated experience leveraging private sector and government resources to bolster value chain competitiveness and improve the investment environment. 

Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in international trade, economics, business administration or other relevant area.
• Minimum ten years of progressive professional experience in an applicable subject area.
• Excellent English and French language skills.

Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55B65361D43515B7E59192F77571C6B04627A48by September 15th 2013 with both a resume and cover letter stating the position for which you are applying. Resumes should list long-term employment history, any relevant short-term consulting work and include sufficient detail about your specific contributions and responsibilities. No phone calls please. Only finalists will be contacted. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. EOE.