Book Supply Chain Technical Advisor

Chemonics seeks a book supply chain technical advisor for USAID’s live Teaching and Learning Materials Supply Chain (TLM SC) cooperative agreement in Rwanda.  This three-year, $6 million cooperative agreement uses a market systems development approach to bring together stakeholders, identify points of leverage, and optimize the market’s functionality to strengthen the book supply chain in Rwanda and address the “business side of literacy”. To become literate, children and families need access to reading materials; yet there is limited availability and irregular supply of reading materials in Rwandan schools and communities. This Activity builds upon evidence and experience from USAID, the Global Book Alliance in Action (GBAIA), and the World Bank’s Results in Education for All Children (REACH) Trust Fund projects at the country level. By addressing inefficiencies, leveraging opportunities along the book supply chain and within the entire market system , and engaging stakeholders in government, the private sector, 1 2 and communities, this TLM Market System Development Activity will strengthen the market system for teaching and learning materials and increase the quantity, quality, affordability, and accessibility of books and other reading materials (physical and digital) in schools, homes, and communities, contributing to improved reading outcomes. The book supply chain technical advisor reports directly to the chief of party and will provide technical leadership on book supply chain management and institutional strengthening. This position will be based in Rwanda. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide technical leadership on book supply chain management and institutional strengthening
• Assist with the management of ongoing book procurements, as well as lead all interventions under the program’s supply chain component
• Design and implement an improved book supply chain for the government of Rwanda (GoR) and Rwanda Education Board (REB)
• Provide ongoing technical support to GoR/REB and civil society on matters pertaining to book, teaching, and learning materials procurement and supply chain management
• Contribute to USAID’s efforts to establish a sustainable book supply chain in Rwanda

Qualifications:

• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and managing supply chain activities for public commodities in resource constrained countries similar to the Rwanda context
• Experience providing technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy support, and problem solving on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment
• Demonstrated understanding of the social, economic, and cultural determinants that influence supply chain outcomes in Rwanda, including a good knowledge of services, logistics, and existing supply chain systems within the country
• Experience in assessing and designing improvements to supply chain processes and procedures
• Proven track record in project design, policy dialogue, and strategic planning
• Strong analytical, costing, and statistical aptitude
• Experience within Rwanda/Central Africa strongly preferred
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and technical skills
• Ability to work in complex, politically charged, unstable environments, as well as work across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines
• Knowledge of participatory track and trace book distribution systems desired
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, book and education material provision, or other related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
• Advanced professional proficiency in reading, speaking, listening, and writing in English required; Kinyarwanda, French, and/or Swahili preferred.

Please send your application to [email protected] by February 15, 2023. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

This position is for a proposal. Employment is dependent on USAID selecting Chemonics as the prime recipient. The anticipated project is expected to start on June 1, 2023.