SNV recruits 01 Value Chain Officer
Value Chain Officer
Rubavu, Rwanda
Full-time
Contract type: National employment contract
Company Description
SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization, working in Agriculture, Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, we have built a long-term, local presence in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organizations 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.
Project Background:
The Landscape Restoration and Integrated Water Resources Management Project is a 3-year project funded by the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) in Kigali. The overall project is led by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and SNV will be leading the agriculture markets component of the Landscape Restoration Project in Sebeya and other catchments of Western Rwanda.
The project will implement activities to restore the Sebeya catchment using landscape approach through institutional capacity strengthening; village-based land use planning and action implementation; engaging with the private sector for market access; developing livelihood alternatives; and scaling up community-based approaches for restoration. The government of Rwanda is a major player in this project as they facilitate investment fund to enable action on the ground while the technical assistance will be provided by IUCN and SNV subsequently.
Job Description
Sustainable landscapes in Rwanda very much depend on efficient land use planning and sustainable land management practices on agriculture lands. While there is a close link between restoration and agriculture the Value Chain Officer will support the sustainability of the agriculture sector which dependent on robust business development services that contribute to creation of effective and efficient value chains and vibrant sustainable inputs and outputs markets. He/she will be responsible to provide operational support to achievement of the Landscape Restoration while improving sustainable livelihoods in remote areas of Rwanda at the same time fostering marketing systems and strengthening linkages development of the industry players.
He or she will be Working within a multi-disciplinary team, and diverse partners including direct link with Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority (RWFA), Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) and various NGOs, districts and communities to support market-oriented approaches, leading to effective inputs and outputs markets functioning primarily through increased performance of and improved linkages between farmers’ enterprises, civil society organizations, government departments and the private sector. The Value Chain Officer plays a technical role towards value chain actors in coordination with the activities in their respective zones such as project partners, district authorities, private sector companies, traders, input dealers, local CSO’s and farmer groups.
Key responsibilities
1. Operationalize overall enterprise and marketing development strategy; encompass market led / value chain development approach to be integrated in all outcome areas to
Link the project with other relevant initiatives such as HortInvest project to leverage on existing market connections.
Unlock growth; increase productivity, employment and income
Enhance innovation, adoption and uptake of technologies that enhance productivity and value of products.
Embed socio-economic and environmental sustainability.
Stimulate investments in agricultural value chains opportunities.
2. Under the supervision of the Agribusiness Advisor; facilitate development of commercial/business linkages.
Utilize existing market linkages developed by the HortInvest project to facilitate market linkages to LR project farmers.
Identify new opportunities for business linkages between producers, and lead buyers to support access to and participation in high value markets.
Facilitate linkages to service providers including financial services.
Support linkage relevant technologies/extension services that improve productivity and value addition.
3. Contribute to designing a strategy to strengthen linkages between stakeholders – governments’ representatives and the private sector.
Maintain working relations with relevant government line ministries and private sector / research institutions to coordinate the adoption and uptake of innovations and/or approaches in irrigation agriculture development, Climate resilient agriculture and sustainable soil and land management
6. Infuse commercial orientation in projects activities and undertakings;
Support identification of market-led / sustainable agro-based economic opportunities and assist in understanding and implementation of demand-driven, commercialization approach to rural development based on access to markets.
Support building capacity of value chain actors through training, mentorship and coaching in basic business skills.
7. Facilitate, identify and maintain strong partnerships with private sector organisations, cooperatives partners through value chain platforms including;
Workshops in agricultural marketing issues
Field days / market fares / exhibitions
8. Contribute to formulation and delivery of training modules for project staff related to the key decision-making tools for market analysis and program intervention design, including:
Value chain analysis
Participatory needs assessment
Participatory action planning
Sub-sector analysis
Provide support to the Agribusiness Advisor to develop, oversee and review project strategy and activities related to the implementation of the project according to the project proposal.
Contribute to project monitoring reporting and learning within the specified timelines .
10. And any other duty that may be assigned by the Agribusiness Advisor from time to time.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate has strong abilities in agronomy, agricultural markets and value chain development, business planning, understand about market system change, flexible, self-initiative. The position require frequent field travel by motorcycle vehicle.
Bachelor’s degree in related field such as agriculture economics, business administration, public administration, agriculture policy.
At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in value chain development and market access related, and/or analysis/research of agribusiness and/or socio-economic development projects.
Practical experience supporting the development of farmers’ and farmers’ enterprises.
Demonstrated capacity to work with private sector players (financial institutions, exporters, buyers, traders, transporters, input suppliers or processors)
An understanding of climate-smart agriculture principles is preferred.
Fluency in English.
Additional Information
Location: Under the overall guidance of the project Agribusiness Advisor, the Value Chain Officer will be based in Rubavu District Center with frequent travel to Karongi, Rutsiro, and Nyabihu.
Contract Duration: 3 years.
Desired start date: September 1, 2019
How to apply:
Please submit your application via Smart Recruiters attaching an application letter and a CV that contains three referees in English before August 14, 2019 citing the position title as reference.
Only shortlisted will be contacted