Description

TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. A nonprofit organization operating in 29 countries, we work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. By linking people to information, capital and markets, we have helped millions to create lasting prosperity for their families and communities.

Founded over 50 years ago, TechnoServe has been named the #1 nonprofit for fighting poverty by the ImpactMatters charity ratings agency.

Program Description

The Rwanda Ikawa Nziza Cyane (INC) project seeks to equip coffee washing stations (CWS), exporters, and government agencies with new tools, strategies, and policies to drive greater efficiencies and unlock new market opportunities in specialty coffee. Funded by the European Union in conjunction with Rwanda’s MINECOFIN, the Rwanda INC project will run for 4 years. Some of the primary project components include (1) digital tools for CWS business management and farm extension monitoring; (2) new mechanisms for input financing and distribution (e.g., fertilizer, lime, new varieties); and (3) a strengthened coffee value chain through industry briefs, strategies, and proposed quality standards for uptake by government and exporters.

Job Summary:
TechnoServe seeks a Senior Business Advisor to support the successful implementation of
Rwanda INC’s ambitious impact agenda. The Senior Business Advisor will provide technical and managerial support needed to ensure excellence in program design and delivery with partners throughout the value chain.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

● Lead strategy and implementation of efforts to support development of an updated national strategy on coffee inputs, managing a Fellow (pro bono consultant) who will carry out related market analyses to inform a recommended strategy and models.

● Develop and deploy improved input sales and distribution models to enhance farmer access to lime, fertilizer and high-yielding cultivars.

● Co-design and manage the small grants fund for coffee washing station reward schemes.

● Lead interventions to facilitate increased agricultural lending to Rwanda’s coffee sector, including managing a Fellow (pro bono consultant) who will carry out a case study on collateral requirements.

● Work with local exporters to improve knowledge and systems around managing risks associated with price fluctuations and coffee financing.

● Provide support and leadership as needed on all elements of the Rwanda INC program, including digital tools for CWS management and extension monitoring.

● Support development, buy-in and roll-out of minimum quality and sustainability standards for Rwandan coffee. Work with CWS, exporters, training partners and relevant regulatory bodies to enable a system of audits.

● Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the coffee value chain – farmers, CWS managers, exporters, government agencies, financial institutions, other NGOs, and allies throughout the sector.

Basic Qualifications:

● Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field – Business, Agriculture, Economics with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience.

● Strong coffee and agricultural expertise especially in regard to the development of coffee
production systems.

● Solid private sector strategy and management experience, including in several of the following key skills areas – coffee yield improvements, training, ICT for development.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Business strategy

● Financial & Resource management
● Program management
● People management
● Coffee industry knowledge (esp. CWS familiarity)
● Familiarity w/ ICT a plus

Required Languages

● Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English is required.

Travel

● Ability to travel to remote rural locations.
● 100% Domestic

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

  • Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset
  • High integrity and honesty
  • Flexible and able to maintain effective relationships and networks – including Donor/Partnership Management
  • Proactively takes advantage of opportunities to learn
  • Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diversity and supports diversity efforts
  • Expresses ideas effectively in individual and group situations, both verbally and in written communication
  • Strong decision making and problem solving skills
  • Results oriented
  • Effective time management and planning
  • Strong business acumen – including Analysis, Research and Report writing

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

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