Background
Global Communities formerly CHF International RWANDA is implementing a five year (2011-2016) Integrated Improved Livelihoods Project funded by USAID and locally named Ejo Heza. The project integrates business development skill training in its work with communities through Cooperatives and Integrated Saving and Lending Groups (ISLG’s). For those seeking opportunities off-farm to supplement their agricultural income, USAID Ejo Heza supports entrepreneurial opportunities. Ejo Heza will identify and mobilize service providers to work within its agricultural value chains and support the development of sustainable business models.
USAID Ejo Heza therefore wishes to hire the services of an Agri Business Officer to support activities around these components.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Agri Business Officer (ABO) is responsible for implementation of activities focused on enterprise development. The ABO will mentor and coach staff of our Rwanda Partner Organizations’ (RPO) in strengthening activities within our Integrated Savings and Lending Groups (ISLG’s) and farmers ‘Cooperatives involved that focus on developing enterprise and agribusiness around maize, beans, dairy and horticultural value chains.
1. Identify and assess business and market development capacity gaps and technical assistance needs of ISLG’s and cooperatives and set up a capacity building plan.
2. Support in the development and implementation of youth focused enterprise development activities
3. Train RPOs’ Staff & volunteers in Business and Market development to help cooperatives and ISLGs and other beneficiary groups upgrade to business-focused enterprises which are market oriented.
4. In close collaboration with the Agricultural specialist, the agri business officer will provide direct support to Cooperatives and ISLGs to set up annual or seasonal business planning based on maize, beans, dairy and horticultural value chains and other businesses.
5. Assess potential business opportunities related to the value chains that the program works in and implement strategies for our beneficiaries and partners to participate.
6. Assist the agricultural specialist in supporting the Field Officers to organize and manage agriculture production regarding post-harvest handling technologies and facilitate contracts’ supply negotiations.
7. Support Financial Services Specialist and Agriculture Specialist to evaluate ISLGs and Cooperatives’ performance and support linkages with financial institutions.
8. Conduct regular technical backstopping for partner staff through regular field visits, meetings and trainings.
9. Support the Financial Services Specialist and Agricultural Specialist to develop and implement active partnership with Business Development Service Providers, Financial Institutions and other National Financial Services Facilitation agencies (RIF, BDF, PROBA, PSF….)
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Agri Business, Economics, or Rural Development Studies or a related field.
• 3-5 years professional experience, with at least 3 years experience implementing agribusiness programs in Rwanda. Experience working with the private sector preferred, USAID funded programs’ experience is a plus.
• Experience working in Rwanda’s key economic sectors involving rural populations, including horticulture (fruits and vegetables), livestock (including dairy), traditional agricultural sectors, agricultural processing.
• Practical field experience working with Savings Groups and cooperatives
• Demonstrated capacity to work with cooperatives, private sector firms and financial institutions.
• Experience in youth focused programs is a plus
• Ability to work effectively with low income populations.
• Strong report writing, presentation and Microsoft Office skills
• Excellent English written and verbal skills. Fluency in Kinyarwanda and French preferred. Must be able to read and interpret documents, and communicate with others in the languages indicated to perform job duties effectively.
Working Relationships
The Agri Business Officer reports to the Agriculture Specialist and works closely with the Financial Services Specialist.
Working Conditions
This position requires travel to the target districts. At least 60% of the person’s time will be in the field.
How to respond
Interested candidates should submit a one page cover letter detailing their suitability for the position together with relevant educational certificates and names of three current referees. Applications should be sent on soft copy to ejoheza@rw.chfinternational.org clearly indicating the subject line: Application for the position of Agri Business Officer. Applications should be received not later than 4PM:00 on Monday 7th October 2013.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Global Communities is a member of the Network of International NGOs, NINGO / Rwanda
Global Communities formerly CHF International RWANDA is implementing a five year (2011-2016) Integrated Improved Livelihoods Project funded by USAID and locally named Ejo Heza. The project integrates business development skill training in its work with communities through Cooperatives and Integrated Saving and Lending Groups (ISLG’s). For those seeking opportunities off-farm to supplement their agricultural income, USAID Ejo Heza supports entrepreneurial opportunities. Ejo Heza will identify and mobilize service providers to work within its agricultural value chains and support the development of sustainable business models.
USAID Ejo Heza therefore wishes to hire the services of an Agri Business Officer to support activities around these components.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Agri Business Officer (ABO) is responsible for implementation of activities focused on enterprise development. The ABO will mentor and coach staff of our Rwanda Partner Organizations’ (RPO) in strengthening activities within our Integrated Savings and Lending Groups (ISLG’s) and farmers ‘Cooperatives involved that focus on developing enterprise and agribusiness around maize, beans, dairy and horticultural value chains.
1. Identify and assess business and market development capacity gaps and technical assistance needs of ISLG’s and cooperatives and set up a capacity building plan.
2. Support in the development and implementation of youth focused enterprise development activities
3. Train RPOs’ Staff & volunteers in Business and Market development to help cooperatives and ISLGs and other beneficiary groups upgrade to business-focused enterprises which are market oriented.
4. In close collaboration with the Agricultural specialist, the agri business officer will provide direct support to Cooperatives and ISLGs to set up annual or seasonal business planning based on maize, beans, dairy and horticultural value chains and other businesses.
5. Assess potential business opportunities related to the value chains that the program works in and implement strategies for our beneficiaries and partners to participate.
6. Assist the agricultural specialist in supporting the Field Officers to organize and manage agriculture production regarding post-harvest handling technologies and facilitate contracts’ supply negotiations.
7. Support Financial Services Specialist and Agriculture Specialist to evaluate ISLGs and Cooperatives’ performance and support linkages with financial institutions.
8. Conduct regular technical backstopping for partner staff through regular field visits, meetings and trainings.
9. Support the Financial Services Specialist and Agricultural Specialist to develop and implement active partnership with Business Development Service Providers, Financial Institutions and other National Financial Services Facilitation agencies (RIF, BDF, PROBA, PSF….)
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Agri Business, Economics, or Rural Development Studies or a related field.
• 3-5 years professional experience, with at least 3 years experience implementing agribusiness programs in Rwanda. Experience working with the private sector preferred, USAID funded programs’ experience is a plus.
• Experience working in Rwanda’s key economic sectors involving rural populations, including horticulture (fruits and vegetables), livestock (including dairy), traditional agricultural sectors, agricultural processing.
• Practical field experience working with Savings Groups and cooperatives
• Demonstrated capacity to work with cooperatives, private sector firms and financial institutions.
• Experience in youth focused programs is a plus
• Ability to work effectively with low income populations.
• Strong report writing, presentation and Microsoft Office skills
• Excellent English written and verbal skills. Fluency in Kinyarwanda and French preferred. Must be able to read and interpret documents, and communicate with others in the languages indicated to perform job duties effectively.
Working Relationships
The Agri Business Officer reports to the Agriculture Specialist and works closely with the Financial Services Specialist.
Working Conditions
This position requires travel to the target districts. At least 60% of the person’s time will be in the field.
How to respond
Interested candidates should submit a one page cover letter detailing their suitability for the position together with relevant educational certificates and names of three current referees. Applications should be sent on soft copy to ejoheza@rw.chfinternational.org clearly indicating the subject line: Application for the position of Agri Business Officer. Applications should be received not later than 4PM:00 on Monday 7th October 2013.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Global Communities is a member of the Network of International NGOs, NINGO / Rwanda
Agri Business Officer
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