Vacancy announcement for project ‘Sugar Make It
Work’
Work’
Job Title: Project Officer
Employment type: Full time up
to December, 2015 (with possible extension)
to December, 2015 (with possible extension)
Duty station: Kigali with
frequent travel to the field sites in and around the nearby Nyabarongo valley
frequent travel to the field sites in and around the nearby Nyabarongo valley
Background
Sugarcane is an important
crop for farmers around
Kigali. Cane production is concentrated in the Nyabarongo valley, where
thousands of outgrowers derive most of their income from the production of
sugarcane. Furthermore, the population from communities surrounding the valley
earn significant income by providing labour services. Outgrowers currently
provide the largest part of the sugarcane that is processed at the sugar
factory (Kabuye Sugar Works; KSW). The Rwandan sugar sector has been in
decline over the past years. Because of a combination of different challenges,
it is performing far under its potential, both in terms of production,
processing and delivery to the national market. There are however ample
opportunities to reverse this trend. Yields, quality, collection and
transport, business relations between factory and outgrowers and Government
facilitation could significantly improve.
Sugar make it work
‘Sugar make it work (‘Isukari – imvugo tuyigire ingiro
(IITI) in Kinyarwanda) is a 5 year project (2013-18) that takes up the
challenges shortly depicted above. It has the objective to boost sugarcane
production and to contribute to competitive, sustainable and inclusive sugar
value chain development. The IITI project is a public private partnership
for which the collaboration between Kabuye Sugar Works, farmers, Government and
other stakeholders is crucial for success. The Netherlands Government and an
informal network of international professionals supports the project to address
the challenges. Addressing the flooding problem in the Nyabarongo valley
and reclaiming land for sugarcane production is the main driver of the
IITI project and represents its first component. The other components of the
project are precision agriculture (2) and value chain improvements (3).
Addressing institutional issues for business climate improvement is a fourth
cross-cutting component. This vacancy is focussing on the third
component, with a focus on capacity strengthening of outgrower farmers and the
business relations they have with KSW.
(IITI) in Kinyarwanda) is a 5 year project (2013-18) that takes up the
challenges shortly depicted above. It has the objective to boost sugarcane
production and to contribute to competitive, sustainable and inclusive sugar
value chain development. The IITI project is a public private partnership
for which the collaboration between Kabuye Sugar Works, farmers, Government and
other stakeholders is crucial for success. The Netherlands Government and an
informal network of international professionals supports the project to address
the challenges. Addressing the flooding problem in the Nyabarongo valley
and reclaiming land for sugarcane production is the main driver of the
IITI project and represents its first component. The other components of the
project are precision agriculture (2) and value chain improvements (3).
Addressing institutional issues for business climate improvement is a fourth
cross-cutting component. This vacancy is focussing on the third
component, with a focus on capacity strengthening of outgrower farmers and the
business relations they have with KSW.
Value chain improvements component
In the first year an in-depth analysis of the
sugarcane sector has been made and top challenges have been identified. On this
basis, action and work plans for the three components have been elaborated in
collaboration with stakeholders. The value chain improvement component will
work in 8 activity domains: (i) farmers’ involvement in water management, (ii)
farmers’ organization, (iii) entrepreneurial capacities, (iv) yield improvement
for cost price reduction, (v) access to finance, (vi) organization of
harvesting, collection and transport, (vii) farmers-KSW business relation and
(viii) national stakeholder collaboration. For each of these domains,
priorities have been set and a tentative work plan for 2014-15 has been made.
sugarcane sector has been made and top challenges have been identified. On this
basis, action and work plans for the three components have been elaborated in
collaboration with stakeholders. The value chain improvement component will
work in 8 activity domains: (i) farmers’ involvement in water management, (ii)
farmers’ organization, (iii) entrepreneurial capacities, (iv) yield improvement
for cost price reduction, (v) access to finance, (vi) organization of
harvesting, collection and transport, (vii) farmers-KSW business relation and
(viii) national stakeholder collaboration. For each of these domains,
priorities have been set and a tentative work plan for 2014-15 has been made.
Vacancy
It is in this context that the IITI project is looking
for a full-time project officer, for implementing the value chain improvements
component, in collaboration with stakeholders of the sugarcane sector and
members of the IITI consortium, with specific attention for farmers, farmer
groups, KSW and relevant public services. Farmers’ capacity strengthening, both
on technical, organization and business management subjects, is at the
core of the Terms of Reference for this position.
for a full-time project officer, for implementing the value chain improvements
component, in collaboration with stakeholders of the sugarcane sector and
members of the IITI consortium, with specific attention for farmers, farmer
groups, KSW and relevant public services. Farmers’ capacity strengthening, both
on technical, organization and business management subjects, is at the
core of the Terms of Reference for this position.
Project officer
for value chain improvements component of IITI project
for value chain improvements component of IITI project
Duties and responsibilities
–
Prepare, deliver training programmes for farmers, according to jointly
identified priorities and annual work plans;
Prepare, deliver training programmes for farmers, according to jointly
identified priorities and annual work plans;
–
Analyse uptake of provided knowledge and skills and provide on-going coaching
to farmers
Analyse uptake of provided knowledge and skills and provide on-going coaching
to farmers
–
Monitor the implementation of work plans and report progress to different
target groups: stakeholders, coordinators of value chain improvements component
and IITI project management.
Monitor the implementation of work plans and report progress to different
target groups: stakeholders, coordinators of value chain improvements component
and IITI project management.
–
Suggest priorities and innovations for farmers’ capacity building and business
relations.
Suggest priorities and innovations for farmers’ capacity building and business
relations.
–
Organize and participate in meetings with farmers, KSW, GoR, other stakeholders
and the implementing partners of the IITI project.
Organize and participate in meetings with farmers, KSW, GoR, other stakeholders
and the implementing partners of the IITI project.
–
Review and update of all relevant information on sugar sector, with emphasis on
outgrower production, farmers’ organization and business relations
Review and update of all relevant information on sugar sector, with emphasis on
outgrower production, farmers’ organization and business relations
–
Maintain a file of important documentation and information
Maintain a file of important documentation and information
–
When relevant, liaise with national and local public institutions (MINAGRI,
Districts, RAB, RCA, …), private sector organizations and non-governmental
organizations, and participate in meetings at local and national level.
When relevant, liaise with national and local public institutions (MINAGRI,
Districts, RAB, RCA, …), private sector organizations and non-governmental
organizations, and participate in meetings at local and national level.
–
Actively participate in all necessary trainings and meetings organized by the
IITI consortium;
Actively participate in all necessary trainings and meetings organized by the
IITI consortium;
–
Solve challenges and harness opportunities as they arise.
Solve challenges and harness opportunities as they arise.
Behavioral requirements
–
Genuine desire to improve the performance of sugarcane farmers and their
emerging organizations, both for their own benefit and the performance of the
sector
Genuine desire to improve the performance of sugarcane farmers and their
emerging organizations, both for their own benefit and the performance of the
sector
–
Team player, listening capacity and eagerness to learn from others
Team player, listening capacity and eagerness to learn from others
–
Sense of responsibility to deliver on the objectives and approaches of the IITI
project in general and its value chain improvements component in particular
Sense of responsibility to deliver on the objectives and approaches of the IITI
project in general and its value chain improvements component in particular
–
Performance-orientation, high level of self-organization and ability to meet
deadlines
Performance-orientation, high level of self-organization and ability to meet
deadlines
–
Ability to coach and motivate stakeholders and trainees to achieve performance
levels they have set for themselves.
Ability to coach and motivate stakeholders and trainees to achieve performance
levels they have set for themselves.
–
Independent thinking to tailor approaches and work programs to stakeholders’
needs and to overcome unexpected challenges.
Independent thinking to tailor approaches and work programs to stakeholders’
needs and to overcome unexpected challenges.
–
Empathy and respect in dealings with farmers, companies and government
organizations
Empathy and respect in dealings with farmers, companies and government
organizations
–
Open to collaboration with colleagues, farmers and their organizations, KSW and
other stakeholders involved in the sugar business sector.
Open to collaboration with colleagues, farmers and their organizations, KSW and
other stakeholders involved in the sugar business sector.
Qualifications and experience required
–
University degree graduate in Agricultural Economics / Agricultural Business
Management /agriculture crop production (marketing, economics, business
management, agriculture, cooperative development);
University degree graduate in Agricultural Economics / Agricultural Business
Management /agriculture crop production (marketing, economics, business
management, agriculture, cooperative development);
–
At least 7 – 10 years of working experience, at least 3 years working with
farmers;
At least 7 – 10 years of working experience, at least 3 years working with
farmers;
–
Proven experience in training, and coaching of farmers and accompanying
farmers’ organizations
Proven experience in training, and coaching of farmers and accompanying
farmers’ organizations
–
Relevant professional experience with agri-business development in a
multi-stakeholder setting involving public institutions;
Relevant professional experience with agri-business development in a
multi-stakeholder setting involving public institutions;
–
Ability to interact in a respectful manner with farmers;
Ability to interact in a respectful manner with farmers;
–
Proven ability to meet deadlines, solve problems, and resilience in the face of
unexpected changes,
Proven ability to meet deadlines, solve problems, and resilience in the face of
unexpected changes,
–
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
–
Proven ability in information management and progress report writing;
Proven ability in information management and progress report writing;
–
Mastering Word and Excel.
Mastering Word and Excel.
–
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is a must for this position
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is a must for this position
–
Driving license category A is highly desired.
Driving license category A is highly desired.
Salary: To be discussed
with the successful candidate according to experience. We offer a competitive
salary package and attractive working conditions.
with the successful candidate according to experience. We offer a competitive
salary package and attractive working conditions.
Application:Interested and
only qualifying candidates are invited to send CV and a motivation letter
before October 22nd, 2014 by e-mail at the following address: gm.kabuye@gmail.com with copy to ted.schrader@wur.nl and pascal.murasira@gmail.com
only qualifying candidates are invited to send CV and a motivation letter
before October 22nd, 2014 by e-mail at the following address: gm.kabuye@gmail.com with copy to ted.schrader@wur.nl and pascal.murasira@gmail.com
Note: Only
candidates that pass the first screening will be invited for an interview. It
is only at that stage that credentials such as scanned diploma copies and
reference letters will be requested.
candidates that pass the first screening will be invited for an interview. It
is only at that stage that credentials such as scanned diploma copies and
reference letters will be requested.
