Private Sector Engagement Lead, Rwanda

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Private Sector Engagement Lead, Rwanda

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Private Sector Engagement Leader for an upcoming The Feed the Future Facilitate Investment Required for the Sustainable ExporT (FTF FIRST) funded by USAID in Rwanda. The new FTF FIRST Activity will support the acceleration of Rwanda’s progress toward self-reliance through increased agricultural productivity, sales, and exports, facilitate inclusive and sustainable private sector-driven growth, and promote increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in Rwanda.

The Private Sector Engagement Leader will be responsible for providing thought leadership and managerial oversight for economic development and private sector engagement (PSE) activities, including identifying and building the capacity of SME’s and anchor firms to increase the volume and value of exports, coordinating and linking SME’s with other market actors to increase their competitiveness, and creating incentives for leveraging private capital towards export activities  He will work closely with project staff, government, civil society, private sector counterparts, and beneficiaries to successfully implement activities and achieve desired results. This position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda.

• Develop and lead a detailed work plan for implementation of the project’s private sector engagement strategy.
• Identify a pipeline of government agencies, associations, private sector enterprises, and other stakeholders that the program can partner with to increase competitiveness of exports.
• Lead stakeholder engagement workshops to provide input into the design and development of relevant program activities and partnership mechanisms.
• Work with project beneficiaries including SMEs and anchor firms to identify and advise on technical assistance strategies to increase export competitiveness. Strategies may include increasing access to capital, access to upgraded technologies, and improving regional and international standards.
• Assist firms to meet regional and international standards related to production, processing, traceability, etc. to increase export competitiveness while coordinating and linking them with the other FTF and donor programs to leverage respective available technical assistance.
• Identify and design technical assistance to SMEs and anchor firms to improve their sustainability, operational capacity, and ability to attract private sector financing.
• Work with the Financial Services Lead to link beneficiaries to appropriate financial service providers including banks, microfinance institutions, private sector investors, working closely with the financial services lead, to increase private investment in the agriculture products export sector.
• Support and monitor pre-investment and post-investment and monitor impact; identity, design, and recommend technical assistance to investees.
• Provide managerial oversight over technical specialists on Rwanda’s economic development/PSE unit.
• Contribute written input to program planning and reports.
• Coordinate with cross-cutting services such as communications, GESI, policy, MEL, and training to ensure that economic development/PSE activities effectively contribute to the success of overall project goals.
• Promote a culture of collaboration and learning among internal project staff and partners through knowledge sharing, developing thought pieces, and attending industry events.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in economics or relevant technical area.
• At least six (6) years of experience working with the private sector to develop public-private partnerships, leverage resources, and promote export oriented private-sector driven growth, preferably in Rwanda.
• Min. three (3) years of management experience, including direct supervision of professional and support staff and assembling teams working on multi-faceted international development programs.
• Knowledge/contact with private sector enterprises in the agriculture sector in Rwanda.
• Experience providing advisory, mentoring, and capacity building services to SMEs and/or anchor firms to increase export competitiveness.
• Familiarity with regional and international standards related to production, processing, traceability, etc.
• Familiarity with access to finance constraints for SMEs and anchor firms and ability to advise on solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, financial institutions, project staff, and/or donor agencies.
• USAID experience is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills for a wide audience of stakeholders.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Rwandan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply

Please apply online at www.acdivoca.org/international-jobs. The applications will be reviewed promptly upon receipt, only finalists will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply. ACDI/VOCA will never request payment or charge a fee to apply for any position.

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