Agribusiness Advisor REALMS Project

• Kigali, Rwanda
• Contract
• Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, SNV has built a long-term, local presence in 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. Currently implementing 25 horticulture projects worldwide, SNV actively engages with the private sector, being convinced of the crucial role private sector has in furthering horticulture value chains for both domestic and international markets. SNV’s Inclusive business approach combines private sector development with inclusive growth objectives. Reducing food losses and increasing value chain efficiencies, improving food safety, the inclusion of entrepreneurial smallholders, climate-smart agriculture, and other themes play an important role in all our horticulture projects.

Job Description

SNV Rwanda is seeking a professional with experience and expertise in agribusiness development.

The position holder will be responsible for formulation and implementation of business models, providing business development support and the capacity building of farmers and agro-enterprises with the goal of improving inclusiveness and competitiveness of targeted value chains. S/he will facilitate access to markets and develop strong partnerships with financial institutions and relevant service providers to ensure the success of the target farmers and agro-enterprises. S/he will support farmer-led enterprises and their groups to improve business planning and in entrepreneurial skills.

The function holder reports to the REALMS Project Manager and will utilize Local Service Providers to assist with service delivery and the growth and expansion of marketed products of farmers and agribusinesses that are involved in regenerative agricultural production.

Key Activities

Advisory Services

•   Lead market research and value chain analysis to guide development business strategies and identify opportunities for investments in targeted value chains and markets.
•   Provide technical support to farmer-led enterprises in terms of leveraging their capacities to become business enterprises by providing business advisory services and identifying possible directions and tools to strengthen the enterprises and support relevant market players.
•  Provide advice on business planning, financial management, governance, and day-to-day management of agro-enterprises.

Results / KPI’s

REALMS Project is supported by given advice.

Knowledge Development

• Build capacity of farmers through training, coaching, and mentorship other extension providers, ensuring the integration of best production and post-harvest practices for enhancing the value of their products.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with SNV staff, national and local authorities, international and national organizations as well as technical focal points in agriculture.
• Support formulation of appropriate policies that create an enabling environment for adoption of regenerative and circular agriculture.

Results / KPI’s

Knowledge sharing is reached and shared both internally as externally.

Project and Process Development

• Provide primary technical direction to the REALMS project business components that aim to incentivize the uptake of regenerative and circular agricultural production.
• Coordinate all planned activities with the Agronomist, Policy and Advocacy Advisor and M&E expert, and donors and other development agencies to ensure consistency with sector priorities.

Results / KPI’s

Continuous improvement of effectiveness and efficiency of project operations.

People Management

• Steers direct reports and coaches associated partners/ external stakeholders on quality within the context of project assignments.
• Acts as a technical expert in the content area applies process improvements in projects and coaches colleagues and associated partners both professionally as operationally on quality of context within projects.

Results / KPI’s

Direct staff (Project Officers and Project Assistant) are qualified and motivated

Positioning

• Identifies and analyses market opportunities and threats and channels communication accordingly.
• Actively participates in strategic positioning meetings and acts as a knowledgeable face of the SNV organization to the client.
• Analyses, understands, and develops (local) networks with relevant stakeholders, identifies new clients.

Results / KPI’s

Opportunities are timely utilized and threats are timely recognized and countered.

Business Development

• Builds, maintains, and utilizes relationships with relevant stakeholders, represents SNV, and identifies opportunities for Business Development policies and procedures.
• Initiates assignments on a local/(sub)national level, support proposals and develops technical processes during the inception phase of projects.

Results / KPI’s

SNV is known as a trusted development partner with relevant stakeholders and has an overview of all funding opportunities/partnerships.

Know-How; Well grounded, middle seasoned level of technical professional, with experience in project implementation. Work requires good knowledge and understanding of a particular thematic area.

Complexity; May serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues in the respective thematic area(s).

Works on own initiative and knowledge but may require support to resolve complex issues.

Gives support to sector leader and identifies and informs project delivery issues and ensures with a recommendation of solutions. Coordinates with multiple stakeholders. Assignments are usually broad in nature and require originality and ingenuity.

Supervision; Work is not closely supervised and is governed by standardized work routines that permit the use of initiative.

Impact; Indirect impact through the provision of activities that require proficiency and support.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, Rural Development
• At least 5 years of experience working on international development programs to improve production and incomes through agribusiness model
• Demonstrated experience of successfully linking farmers and agribusinesses to markets
• Demonstrated experience in building the capacity of farmers, and business
• Proficiency in English is required.

Problem Analysis; The ability to detect problems, recognise important information, and link various data to trace potential causes and look for relevant details.

Coaching; Must possess a strong understanding of group development processes and facilitation skills, including developing and delivering training and group consensus building.

Focus on Quality;

• Familiarity with results chains and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Familiarity with inclusive business models and application to resource constrained small holder farmers.

 Result orientation; The ability to take direct action in order to attain or exceed objectives.

Persuasiveness; The ambition to win over other people for one’s views and ideas and to generate support.

Additional Information

Application documents should be submitted not later than Monday, September 25, 2020 at 17:00 hrs Kigali time

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here

Closing Date : 25th September, 2020.