HortInvest Horticulture District Coordinators – SNV

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 38 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. For more information, please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org

Project Background

The HortInvest project is funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Kigali and will contribute towards the attainment of the mission of the Rwanda National Horticulture Policy in terms of fast economic growth and rapid reduction in poverty and malnutrition in Rwanda and the objectives of the Rwanda-Dutch bilateral programme aimed at enhanced food security and private sector development. The expected impact will be primarily noticeable in the six target districts in North-west Rwanda.

The main areas of intervention of the HortInvest project are

1.       Improving market-led horticultural production and supplies for domestic and regional markets

2.       Enhancing food and nutrition security of rural households involved in horticulture and urban consumers

3.       Developing high-value horticultural exports

4.       Creating an enabling environment for commercial horticultural developments

The Netherlands has a world renowned horticulture that is very active internationally and is able to provide technologies and services that are considered to be beneficial to Rwandan farmers and on which the HortInvest project can build. Linking up with the private sector (Dutch, local and international companies) is a key element of the Netherlands Embassy’s horticultural development support programme, which is aimed at stimulating economic development and food security in Rwanda. The triple helix – comprising private sector, government agencies and civil society and knowledge organisations – is one of the strengths of the Dutch implementation strategy, which will also underpin the HortInvest project approach.

After its completion, the HortInvest project is expected to have contributed to the following two impacts:

• The horticultural sector’s relative contribution to the regional rural economy in the six target districts will have significantly increased.
• Improved food and nutrition security of poor households in North-west Rwanda.

Job Description

Reporting to the HortInvest team leader, the horticulture district coordinators will have sufficient all-round skills and flexibility to support the HortInvest project in the development of domestic and regional fresh fruits & vegetable value chains that are inclusive of small and medium size entrepreneurial (SME) farmers. At the same time the development of such fruit and vegetable value chains will improve food and nutrition security by addressing the growing demand for fruits and vegetables in a cost-effective manner. The horticulture district coordinators will work closely with farmers, cooperatives, agri-businesses, development partners, and local government officials to achieve HortInvest objectives. This will require coordination and monitoring of the implementation of various kinds of project activities. Understanding fruit and vegetable production, value chains, and market linkages is important in performing these tasks successfully.

Key Responsibilities

·       Coordinate the activities of HortInvest at district level. These will include activity planning and coordination, data collection, monitoring, and reporting.

·       Build capacities with and provide technical advice to companies, farmers, and producer organisations.

·       Build a network among farmers, cooperatives, agri-businesses, development partners, and government officials in the selected districts

·       Support farmers and farmer organisations to develop improved market linkages and business to business cooperation.

·       Support the introduction of innovative horticulture technologies and expertise that would benefit horticulture value chain development and SME farmers in target districts.

·       Contribute to the identification of high potential areas for project activities related to fruits and vegetables within districts

·       Provide support in the organization and delivery of technical workshops, consultations, seminars and training session.

·       Support farmer promotors and farmer facilitators in the establishment and management of demonstration plots/farmer field schools to learn the necessary techniques on producing quality horticulture produce.

·       Support and coordinate with lead farmers in the establishment of collection centres.

·       Work in close coordination with the rest of the team HortInvest team.

·       Undertake additional HortInvest assignments as requested by the team leader.

·       Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agribusiness, or Agriculture Economics.

·       At least 3 years of professional working experience in fields relevant and related to this scope of work.

·       Strong practical experience in working with farmers and cooperatives at production and marketing level

·       Up to date knowledge on existing and innovative agronomy practices of fruit and vegetable production

·       Has an extensive network among horticulture sector companies in the districts of Rubavu and Nyabihu or Muhanga and Ngororero.

·       Experience in linking horticulture farmers and farmer cooperatives to markets, input suppliers, financial service providers, and other service providers.

·       Has a network among and experience in working with district government staff for agriculture.

·       Experience in implementing development projects and a proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with other programs and stakeholders.

·       Strong communication, management, and interpersonal skills required.

·       Result oriented and problem solving capacity.

·       Prepared to travel widely and undertake substantial fieldwork within Rwanda.

·       Excellent English and Kinyarwanda writing and oral communication skills.

·       Experience in working with farmers and producer groups in the districts of Rubavu and Nyabihu, or Muhanga and Ngororero. Experience in working with sector organisations and youth will be an advantage.

Location:  Under the overall guidance of the HortInvest Deputy Team Leader as well as the project’s Smart Extension Expert, one staff member will be based in Muhanga and one will be based in Rubavu, with frequent travel to the target districts of HortInvest (Muhanga, Karongi, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Rutsiro) and Kigali.

Contract Duration: 1 year, with possibility of extension.

Desired start date: March 2nd , 2020

How to apply:

Please submit your application via Smart Recruiters attaching an application letter and a CV that contains three referees in English before February 03rd, 2020 citing the position title as reference.

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