Description
Position
Title:
RWANDA PRODUCTION MANAGER
About Us: Indego Africa
(“Indego”) is an innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise
that partners with women artisans in Rwanda on a fair trade basis to drive
forward a sustainable, long-term solution to systemic poverty in Africa. Indego
sells its partners’ hand-made contemporary accessories and home décor products
on Indego’s online store and at high-end U.S. retailers, including
Anthropologie, Madewell, DANNIJO, J.Crew, and Nicole Miller. Indego Africa then
invests 100% of profits to its long-term skills training programs in financial
management, entrepreneurship, literacy, and computer usage – which are taught
by Rwanda’s top university students. Indego Africa, the subject of a Harvard
Business School case study, partners with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women
Initiative and is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, which recently
awarded Indego its coveted award for “Most Impact in a Partner
Community.” By forging a strategy that validates and scales its mission,
Indego Africa re-defines an outdated handicraft model of economic development
and maps out a replicable blueprint for unleashing the power of women
entrepreneurs in Africa.
Position
Description:
Indego Africa offers an opportunity for a resourceful professional to gain
experience overseeing: (a) all design and production operations in Rwanda; (b)
the handicraft export and purchase program involving the co-ops; and (c)
communication with the U.S. regarding the effectiveness, expenses, and
performance of Indego local personnel, trainers, co-ops, and the Indego
programs. This person will improve his or her skills in international
development work, product design, and income generation theory and models,
while learning about the fields of social entrepreneurship and fair trade
wholesaling/retailing. The Rwanda Production Operations Manager will be
supervised by the Country Director in Rwanda and the Creative Director and CEO
in the U.S.
Skills and
Education Preferred:
- Young
professional focusing on program development, logistics system
development, product/fashion design, international development, business,
international affairs, gender studies, Africa studies, social
entrepreneurship, or other related course of study. - Candidate
must be a US National with knowledge of the US retail market. - At
least two years of work experience in a professional environment. Strong
business skills preferred. - Background
knowledge or coursework with respect to business, nonprofits, Africa, fair
trade or international development programming. - Proficient
in driving a car with manual transmission, and comfortable driving in both
urban and rural settings. - Excellent
computer skills including usage of the Microsoft Office suite (required),
Drop Box and other relevant publishing and productivity tools (preferred).
- Time
spent living in Africa, or extensive travel in Africa (preferred). - Flexibility,
resourcefulness, patience and diligence – including an ability and
willingness to adapt to the lifestyle and work environment of Rwanda – are
essential. - Working
knowledge of French (required) and/or Kiswahili language skills
(preferred).
Expected
Projects and Skills Learned:
- Supervision
of Handicraft Program: Implement and monitor quality control strategies;
oversee production process from receipt of purchase order through
delivery; develop products for future sale and promotion; and monitor all
developments related to customs and taxes. - Supervise
all Production Staff and interns - Develop
Rwanda Production Internship Program - Liaison
Between U.S. and Rwanda: Act as main communication point in Rwanda for
Indego Africa’s U.S. sales team (and a variety of famous designers and
large-scale retailers). - Site
Visits: Travel at least three (3) times per week to visit the co-ops to
observe, supervise, audit, and recommend improvements to the co-op’s
expense reporting, record-keeping, invoicing, and financial reporting;
provide technical assistance to Indego local personnel; and identify
management problems at the co-op or issues related to the relationship
between Indego and the co-op. - Partnership
Development: Develop relationships and partnerships with other NGOs and
resources locally, while assisting the rest of the Indego team in Rwanda. - Direct
Production Procurement and Supply Chain Operations: Oversee the sourcing
and purchasing of all necessary production materials and develop improved
relationships with local and international suppliers - Reporting:
Deliver periodic reports regarding the effectiveness, expenses and
performance of Indego local personnel, trainers, co-ops, and other Indego
programs. - Update
Standard Operating Procedures: Continually update Production SOPs - Training:
Candidate will train a Rwandan employee on the workings of the US retail
market.
Expectations:
- Full-time
employment of 40 hours per week. The position requires a commitment of 8
months, until August 31st 2013. - This is
a PAID position. - Expected
to have independent access to a computer. - Position
will be located in Kigali, Rwanda. - Travel
to and from Rwanda, and housing expenses, will not be covered by Indego
Africa. Local team will help find housing and give advice on
transportation and communication.
To Apply: Please e-mail resume and
cover letter to jobs@indegoafrica.org.
In your cover letter, please explain (a) why you are applying for this
position, (b) any relevant experience you have had (including time spent
working or living in Africa), and (c) any other relevant information to your
qualifications for this position. Your name, the date, and the position MUST be
in the titles of your attached documents. No phone calls please.
Deadline: Apply immediately. Position
opens until filled.
How
to apply
To Apply: Please e-mail resume and
cover letter tojobs@indegoafrica.org.
In your cover letter, please explain (a) why you are applying for this
position, (b) any relevant experience you have had (including time spent
working or living in Africa), and (c) any other relevant information to your
qualifications for this position. Your name, the date, and the position MUST be
in the titles of your attached documents. No phone calls please.
