MINAGRI Expert in Agriculture Communications Job Vacancy in Rwanda

Ministry of
Agriculture and Animal Resources Office of the Permanent Secretary

Re-advertisement
Recruitment of
an Expert in Agriculture Communications

1.
Introduction
• The Government of Rwanda (GoR) represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has received funding from Development Partners to
support the Strategic Capacity Building Initiative (SC131) for the priority
sector of agriculture. The SCBI is supervised by the Public Sector Capacity
Building Secretariat and is meant to fill strategic gaps in the delivery chain
of agriculture production.
• In order to facilitate implementation the GoR intends to use part of these
funds for the recruitment of an Expert in Agricultural Communications.
• We are therefore inviting applications from eligible candidates to provide
evidence that they are qualified and experienced to perform the tasks outlined
in the job description below.

2. Background
to Recruitment
• The Colt sees Agriculture development as a key catalyst to engender long-term
sustainable growth and remove thousands out of poverty. The Crop
Intensification Programme has been very successful in increasing production of
staple food crops, through improvements to smallholder productivity, and
helping Rwanda achieve food self-sufficiency. However, the communications
mechanisms and products, to target smallholder farmers with information on
techniques and inputs to raise productivity, remain outdated and
under-resourced. The Agricultural Information and Communication Centre (CICA)
has been established to develop communications materials to be disseminated
through the Ministry´s extension agents. In order to sustain the current rate
of agricultural sector growth, C1CA needs to develop a communications outreach
service which better serves the needs of smallholder farmers and extension
agents.
• It is in this regard that the Ministry would like to recruit an Expert in
Agricultural Communications to support the Director of CICA in the Ministry of
Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).

3. Job
Description
• Contribute to the implementation of the CICA´s strategic and operational plan
in terms of reaching the extension agents, farmers and partners with relevant
information (production, market info, processing etc.) as well as in terms of
knowledge management. Specifically, assess the gaps and capacity building needs
to implement the strategic and operational plan
• Synthesizing the findings of reviews and needs assessment already undertaken
by the CICA and its partners
• Reviewing different approaches and service delivery models in agricultural
information and communication;
• Staffing and skills profile of CICA in critical service deliver areas;
• Hardware and equipment required in CICA´s documentation centre and
audio-visual departments;

• Relationship between communications and extension with a view to
strengthening coordination.
• Document the baseline, based on the priority capacity gaps identified in the
review, to clearly gauge the levels of capacity in the sub-sector, against
which progress can be measured
• Develop a capacity-building work-plan with ambitious and achievable targets
for improvements in capacity, responding to the gaps identified in the initial
review

I. Support
MINAGRI in its Communication to Agricultural extension agent and farmers
• Make the lead in providing support to MINAGRI in its communication activities
with smallholder fanners in Rwanda, focusing on priority flagship programmes
such as the Crop Intensification Programme.
• Act as a lead advisor to the Director of CICA, the Permanent Secretary and
Minister of NI INAGRI in matters related to agricultural communications with
smallholder farmers.
• Directly support and build capacity of identified Ministry staff will be
appointed as counterparts, focusing on the capacity gaps identified in the
baseline study, through:
• Providing training for staff in CICA and its partners in mass media, focusing
on audio-visual platforms (ie radio) and building effective collaboration with
media houses
• Identify learning opportunities such as national and international training
courses, distant learning (online), study tours, … for staff in CICA and its
partners
• Supporting die production of extension materials
• Developing a mechanism for distributing extension material (printed and
audio/visual)
• Developing a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the impact of extension
materials

II. Support
MINAGRI in its knowledge management and effective communication to its partners
Assist in building up the knowledge management unit of CICA which will be in
charge of collecting, processing, packaging and sharing agricultural
information among the agricultural
• Assist in organizing learning routes and other innovative inter-project
learning activities
• Assist in documenting adapted approaches being used in Rwanda for further
learning tic adaptation
• Advise on innovative methodologies for knowledge management and assist in
linking to international counterparts for two way learning exchange

4. Minimum
Qualifications & Experience
• At least a Masters Degree in agricultural, rural communication or a related
field, preferably with a specialization in agricultural communication;
• minimum of 10 years work experience of which at least 5 years in agricultural
extension, rural communications, rural transformation and/or knowledge
management;
Knowledge and experience of international best practice in terms of agricultural
communications reaching smallholder farmers is an advantage. Knowledge in
radio/TV communications would be an asset.
• Experience in on-the-job training and mentoring in organizations
• Computer literate in common software packages such as Excel is essential
• Must have knowledge of Rwandan agriculture sector
• Must have an excellent command of English. Speaking French or Swahili is an
advantage.
• Must have demonstrated experience in capacity-building, and knowledge and
skills transfer
• Must be able to work under pressure and link with multi-disciplinary experts.

5. Work
duration:
• The length of the assignment will be 1 year. It may be renewable subject to
performance.

6. Reporting
obligations
• The expert will report to the Director of CICA to undertake the specified
activities. In terms of reporting, there are two reports.
• The expert should write a report every quarter on progress against agreed
targets in the work: plan, and submit to the Director ef CICA and Permenant
Secretary (PS)of MINAGRI for discussion at a quarterly meeting.
• The expert´s performance in capacity building will also be directly assessed
by a MINAGRI official who will write a short quarterly report on the
consultant´s coaching progress.
• This will also be reviewed quarterly in the same meeting by the Director of
CICA and the PS MIN AGRI. Therefore, two short reports are needed for the
meeting every quarter.
• At the end of the contract period, the expert should produce a final report
to be submitted with the request for the last installment payment.

7.
Remuneration
• Expert will be offered a highly attractive package commensurate with
experience and there will be additional benefits.

8. Location
• The consultant will be based in Kigali/Rwanda, working at `CICA´ with frequent
travel upcountry

9. Mode of
Application:
• Interested qualified candidates may submit their applications with (1) CVs,
(2) motivation letter and (3) certified copies of their relevant certificates
to the address below or the email address Ruzindazaernest@yahoo.fr copy to s_bambara@yahoo.fr; christina.piocosta-lahue@tb-agi.org
and kamalfredo@yahoo.fr (title of
email should read Expert in Agricultural Communications) not later than 15:00
hrs, on the 28 February 2013