Job
description
Position
Description
The Rwanda Country
Director, (RCD), will be based in Kigali and direct project planning, strategic
visioning and oversee timely and effective implementation of Sustainable
Harvest, Inc.’s program activities in Rwanda under a grant from Bloomberg
Philanthropies (BP) in cooperation with Women for Women International (WfWI)
and Rwandan government entities. Successful execution of the Sustainable
Harvest program will result in preparing 3,500 socially excluded, low income
women for income generating activities. The RCD will manage budgets, oversee
monitoring and evaluation, and ensure delivery of results as per agreed-upon
milestones and goals, and will directly and indirectly supervise and monitor
all operations and activities performed by staff and consultants in Rwanda.
She/he will serve as Sustainable Harvest’s primary liaison between: Women for
Women International; the funder; local, national, and international government
representatives; and other partners and stakeholders. The RCD will report to
Sustainable Harvest’s Managing Director or his designee and work closely with
the CEO and CFO/COO, all based in Portland, OR, USA.
Essential
Functions
Leadership. Oversee the design,
planning, and successful execution of programs and activities. Provide overall
program direction, develop and implement a strategic vision for achieving
program goals, identify opportunities to innovate and increase impact, and
develop appropriate solutions to challenges that arise in the course of the
program. Ensure the program is implemented with sound managerial, financial,
and human resources practices, as per company and donor standards. Recruit,
orient and supervise and mentor staff which may include 1 Assistant Project
Director, 1 Accountant, 1 IT Director, up to 6 Agronomists, and 1 M&E
Specialist.
Communication
& Representation.
Act as lead representative of Sustainable Harvest, Inc. in Rwanda, engaging
with government, partners, media, stakeholders – in keeping with company
policies and procedures. Ensure high quality and timely development, delivery
and presentation of narrative, financial, and other required and requested
reports on program developments, successes, and constraints to all stakeholders
as required by the program agreement and as requested ad hoc. Cultivate and
maintain strong relationships with local and international partners, donors,
agencies, development organizations, private sector associations, media and
corporations. Exercise diplomacy, tact and discretion as a representative of
the program and the organization, especially when dealing with politically or
culturally sensitive issues. Contribute to the documentation and sharing of
knowledge within the broader Sustainable Harvest community.
Operations. Ensure that staff are aware
of their own performance against project milestones, sharing lessons-learned
and benefiting from each other’s work. Must be willing to be based full time in
urban or rural settings in Rwanda and travel throughout East Africa, to the
United States, and potentially to Central and South America when necessary.
Work &
Education Experience
Minimum 7 to 10
years experience designing, directing, and evaluating complex field-based
programs and budgets in a developing country, ideally in East Africa,
preferably related to workforce development and income generating activities in
areas such as smallholder agriculture, community and value chain development,
food security. Experience leading and managing multi-cultural teams and
coordinating programs with partners to achieve project goals and maintain
consensus on policies, activities and administrative matters.
Advanced degree in
Business Administration/Organizational Management or related field, with
coursework in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management or
related field preferred. Strong track record of building and maintaining
relationships across sectors. Proven ability to function in complex, frequently
changing political and economic conditions. Demonstrated capacity to analyze
and resolve a wide range of challenges arising in project/activity
implementation; intellectual curiosity; balanced judgment; and the ability to
conceptualize – both strategically and programmatically. Good working knowledge
of economic development, value chains, and entrepreneurship. Experience with
farmer co-operatives and/or agribusiness development in East Africa is
preferred. Knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of
Rwanda and/or other East African nations is preferred. Experience living and
working in East Africa an advantage. Excellent computer skills
(word-processing, spread sheets, and databases). Fluency in English, with
proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
Kinyarwanda and French language skills required.
Background
of Sustainable Harvest, Inc and Project Highlights
Sustainable Harvest
uses a unique Relationship Model to promote investment in farmer training and
development in communities to bring a reliable, traceable, and premium product
to international buyers. Sustainable Harvest will bring this model to Rwanda’s Commercial
Integrated Farm Initiative (CIFI) based in the greater Kibeho and Kayonza
regions of Rwanda. The beneficiary group will focus on collaborative,
sustainable agricultural business models that connect directly to internal and
external markets.
Program goals
include:
– Provide income
generating activities for 3,500 socially excluded, low-income women who are
selected from the WfWI group of 20,000 trained women
– Develop
community-based coffee processing centers, to begin to transform the way Rwanda
export crops are traded, by providing direct market linkages and training to
beneficiaries in a model that provides for direct and indirect business
relationships to low-income farmers
– Develop and share
portfolio of educational videos and trainings on best practices including ,but
not limited to agriculture, financial literacy, food security, risk management,
family planning, and organizational management training. Primary vehicles will
be iPad technology and regional “Let’s Talk Coffee” style events.
Develop lasting relationships with commercial, government, and non-profit
partners that create space for ongoing collaboration and impact.
How
to apply
Qualified and
interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, 3 references, and
salary history to: dlippoff@sustainableharvest.com
and put “RAWANDA COUNTRY DIRECTOR in the subject line. Only applicants
meeting minimum qualifications for the position will be considered or
contacted. No phone calls please.
