Vacancy title:
Advisor in Horticulture (Smart Extension Expert)

Jobs at:
SNV

Deadline of this Job:
28th May 2018

Duty Station:
Kigali, Rwanda

JOB DETAILS:
SNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands more than 50 years ago, SNV has built a long-term, local presence in many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. SNV’s global team of local and international advisors work 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. SNV has much experience in making agriculture more sustainable by developing knowledge, tools, and solutions that maximise the benefits while minimising the negative impacts of agriculture in the face of a changing climate. SNV has worked on horticulture sector development – including quality and safety improvements and certification – in 15 different countries.

SNV in Rwanda supports producer organisations, processors and agro-businesses in coffee, potato, value chains, food & nutrition security and advocacy (Voice4Change) in order to increase income and employment opportunities and as such contribute to food and nutrition security. SNV experts apply a value chain development approach, promote market-based solutions to increase overall competitiveness and tap into opportunities while protecting the environment. SNV also strengthens business service providers within the agriculture value chains.

Project Overview
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:

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

Position Summary
Reporting to the HortInvest team leader, the horticulture advisor will have sufficient all-round skills and flexibility to work on the development of domestic and regional horticulture (fresh fruits & vegetables –
FFV) value chains that are inclusive of small and medium size entrepreneurial (SME) farmers and that at the same time address the growing demand for quality fresh horticulture produce in a cost-effective manner. The horticulture advisor will play a key role in establishing opportunities to introduce innovative, (climate) smart extension offerings to farmers and cooperatives to increase the quality of their FFV and to strengthen resilience of farming systems.
Furthermore, the horticulture advisor will be responsible for business case development and implementation together with the identified companies from Rwanda or neighbouring countries (regional value chains, e.g. DRC, Uganda, and TZ). He/she will also be required to support the rest of the HortINVEST team with backstopping on horticulture technical issues in project activities.

Responsibilities of the horticulture advisor
1. Take the lead in coordination and implementation of assigned HortInvest activities: activity planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting.
2. Build capacities with horticulture companies, farmers and producer organisations, provide technical advice and manage service providers.
3. Identify and facilitate the introduction of innovative horticulture technologies and expertise that would benefit horticulture value chain development and SME farmers in Rwanda.
4. Contribute to the identification of high potential production areas, improved access to inputs, and improved access to finance & markets for SME farmers
5. Contribute to up-scaling of successful business cases resulting from HortInvest cooperation with companies.
6. Coordinate the execution of the technical support to horticulture farmers through the extension model in the selected sectors/districts
7. Manage the development and implementation of the agriculture extension program work plan of selected areas.
8. Deploy necessary efforts so the agriculture season calendar is respected, especially if farmers depend on natural precipitation to irrigate their fields
9. Provide support in the organization and delivery of technical workshops, consultations, seminars, and training session.
10. Support farmer promotors and farmer facilitators to master the necessary techniques on producing quality horticulture produce.
11. Coordinate the farmer facilitators in establishment of demonstration plots/ farmer field schools.
12. Support and coordinate with lead farmers in the establishment of collection centers.
13. Work in close coordination with the rest of the team, including M&E support officers, and undertake additional HortInvest assignments as requested by the team leader.

Candidate profile
1. At least 5 years of professional working experience in fields relevant and related to this scope of work.
2. A bachelor’s degree or higher in agronomy, plant science/technology, or a related field.
3. Experience in working with SME horticulture farmers and farmer cooperatives, including linking them to markets, credit, and other service providers.
4. Has an extensive network among horticulture farmers, companies, and (local and national) government institutions in Rwanda.
5. Up to date knowledge on horticulture farming and processing technologies in Rwanda and worldwide.
6. Proven experience in business case development, private sector engagement, and facilitating business to business collaboration in the horticulture sector in Rwanda
7. Strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and innovative agronomy practices that strengthen quality production of FFV and resilience of farm systems
8. Has a track record in working on public-private partnerships, and understands the expectations and “rules of engagement” of national, provincial and district Government for agriculture
9. Master’s degree in Development, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or Agriculture Economics would be an added advantage.
10. Experience in implementing projects and a proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with other programs, stakeholders and international agencies.
11. Management, leadership, and interpersonal skills required.
12. Result oriented and problem solving capacity.
13. Prepared to travel widely and undertake substantial fieldwork.
14. Excellent English and Kinyarwanda writing and oral communication skills and capacity to facilitate dialogue across multiple sectors.
15. Experience in assessment of value chains, knowledge management, reduction of food losses, and working with producer as well as sector organizations and youth will be an advantage.

Contract duration
2 years – with possibility of extension
Expected start date
As soon as possible

Job application procedure
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to directly submit your motivation letter and CV (both in English) to the Country Director of SNV Rwanda by following the link below: http://smrtr.io/6FcIyQ 
Deadline for Submission the 28th May 2018.
NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
Please send your application letter and CV that contains three referees as you apply with position title as the subject