Team Leader Agriculture - RWANDA

Background

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 39 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works 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.

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. The Agriculture programme in Rwanda presently focuses on Value Chain Development in the sub-sectors of dairy, coffee, and beekeeping.  In these sectors SNV builds on existing knowledge; experience and 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. Further information on SNV Rwanda: www.snvworld.org/rwanda

Project Summary

The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) is planning for a four-year project to support the Government of Rwanda in implementing its third Strategic Action Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA III). Later this year a tender is expected on M4P; for this project we are looking for a Team Leader. The M4P facility will operate as a flexible and responsible facility through which the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) can draw down technical expertise. The objective is for MINAGRI to become more institutionally results-focused, and to ensure agricultural production is more sustainable and inclusive through MINAGRI's keener focus on cross-cutting issues. Expertise will be required in agricultural cross-cutting areas: in climate change, gender, food security and nutrition. It will also provide expertise to support policy design and implementation, including: capacity building, building the research and evidence base, and promotion of staff development.

Therefore, SNV Rwanda is seeking a qualified Team Leader to manage the M4P. The recruitment of the position is subject to the approval and agreement with the donor.

Overview of the Position

The Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating the work plan with the various national and district authorities, government organisations and relevant private sector organisations, day-to-day monitoring of the work plan in close consultation with the other team members. He/she will participate in Monitoring and Evaluation of project activities. In addition, lead/participate in the elaboration of publications on project results and lessons learned and participate/present at meetings/fora to share knowledge and exchange experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide the project set-up nationally as appropriate, including developing work plans, budgets and competence table with financial responsibilities and mandates;
• Overall management of all human, physical and financial resources allocated to the project;
• Responsible for technical steering and lead some of the more complex capacity development services;
• Build, strengthen and manage strategic partnerships with regional governments, key partners, institutions stakeholders and the private sector;
• Manage relations with the donor; network and represent the project at national / international level during fairs, seminars and other platforms;
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the project management team to ensure that all milestones set in the annual work plan are met, develop mitigation plans to reduce setbacks and take corrective actions to remedy any deviation from the work plans;
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the donor as per donor requirements; quality assurance of international and national experts’ project reports in accordance with donor requirements and SNV professional reporting standards;
• Guide knowledge development, documentation and communication and branding in close collaboration with te donor and CMT.

Candidate Profile

• Master’s Degree or higher degree in a relevant discipline e.g. agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agronomy, MBA;
• At least 10 years’ experience in the area of development cooperation of which at least 5 years in implementing agricultural development projects in Africa (work experience and professional networks in Rwanda is desired);
• Expertise in M4P, Value Chain Development (VCD), capacity development, process facilitation, coaching, change processes and product development;
• A detailed understanding of the agricultural context in Rwanda, specifically in dairy and horticulture;
• Experience of capacity-building of government counterparts, especially in strengthening information systems, strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, mainstreaming policies across government institutions and promoting staff development;
• Established working relationships at policy level with agriculture-related ministries, government organisations and proven capability of managing relationships between government institutions and private sector;
• Strong people management skills to be able to lead; coach and motivate a team of national and international experts to deliver the required results;
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and experience of working in a multicultural and matrix organisation,
• Experience working on donor-funded programmes; DFID experience is an advantage.

Languages: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.  Fluency in Kinyarwanda and French desired.

Contract Type: International   

Contract Duration: Contingent to donor funding award

Desired Start Date: November, 2015

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation to via the link  before June 29, 2015.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement

 NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Closing date: 

Monday, June 29, 2015

Type of contract: 

International