Organizational setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the University of Rwanda, the College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR/ CAVM); Rwanda Agriculture and Animal resources Development Board (RAB), and Ecole Supérieure d’Agro-Développement International (ISTOM), France, is implementing the DeSIRA Project during four years (2021-2025) with funding from the European Union (EU). The main objective of the project is to strengthen agricultural innovation partnerships and disseminate best practices and processes for climate-relevant and sustainable transformation of agriculture systems in Rwanda. The project uses participatory and interdisciplinary approaches to improve capacities for climate-smart innovation in local innovation partnerships in six districts: Burera, Rutsiro, Ruhango, Gatsibo, Nyagatare, and Bugesera, with a focus on priority value chains including cassava, agroforestry, small livestock (piggery), Irish potato, diary, rice, beans and soya bean.
Thematically, the project focuses on three areas:
(1) diversification of livestock and crop systems
(2) effective management of irrigated areas
(3) crop intensification and diversification in drought-prone areas.
To achieve the above high-level outcome, the project will deliver three outputs:
• facilitate the process of engagement of multi-sector stakeholders and the functioning of innovation partnerships along each selected value chain as well as in each District.
• address knowledge gaps and technical capacity needs through a participatory action research.
• communicate and disseminate best practices for scaling up and informing the policy process. The main vehicle for this is the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP)’s Common Framework, an approach and tool kit for developing capacities for agricultural innovation system.
FAO-Rwanda is recruiting a Policy Specialist to conduct an in-depth analysis of policies and their implementation, and the enabling environment related to innovation in the value chains in focus of the project. The results will inform the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and other stakeholders on actions needed to strengthen the agriculture innovation systems (AIS) of the aforementioned value chains.
Reporting Lines
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The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR/Programmes, the technical guidance of the lead technical officer (LTO) based in FAO Headquarters in Rome and in close collaboration with the National Project Manager (NPM).
Technical Focus
The specialist is recruited to review policies related to the enabling environment for agricultural innovation and organize policy consultations at local and national levels.
Tasks and responsibilities
The specialist will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
• Conduct an in-depth analysis of policies governing the agricultural innovation systems, specifically the targeted value chains (cassava, agroforestry, small livestock (piggery), Irish potato, diary, rice, beans and soya bean) in Rwanda.
• Analyse the effects of policy and the enabling environment on innovation, focusing on the targeted value chains.
• Conduct a review of relevant policy-related interventions among key organizations in Rwanda, including previous and current EU-supported projects.
• Prepare a methodology and work plan for the policy analysis to be presented to the project’s Steering Committee
• Conduct multi-stakeholder policy consultations at district and national levels.
• Collect primary data through interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions/ workshops
• Present results and recommendations at a policy dialogue event to be organized by FAO Rwanda.
• Write a final report on the policy analysis and produce two policy briefs on targeted crop and diary value chains.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced degree (at least MSc) in agricultural economics, agriculture policy, agriculture, development studies, or related fields.
• At least five years of relevant experience in agricultural research or agricultural policy in Rwanda
• Working knowledge (level C) of English; knowledge of Kinyarwanda is required; knowledge of French is a benefit.
• National or Resident of Rwanda.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous
Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in agricultural development, agricultural innovation and related policy processes.
• Extent and relevance of experience of research, studies or evaluations on agricultural policy and the enabling environment.
• Knowledge of tools and methods for policy analysis in a multi-stakeholder setting from local to national levels
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Quality of oral and written communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated inter-personal and teamwork skills, self-driven with ability to engage effectively with policy- and decision-makers at various levels.
• Knowledge of policy aspects of agricultural innovations systems in Rwanda