Office Rwandais de Normalisation
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
TITLE: Recruitment of
Individual consultant for the development of the standardization policy for
Rwanda Bureau of Standards.
1. Background Information
Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) was established in 2002 to undertake all
activities pertaining to the development of standards, quality assurance and
metrology in the country and overseeing implementation of the above
across the entire country. Since its creation, RBS has aimed to provide top
quality services regarding standards development, quality assurance through
industry inspection, market surveillance, import inspection and action,
testing, metrology services and awareness raising.
RBS has registered good progress in promoting trade and public safety through
quality standards development and offering conformity assessment services
(inspection, testing, certification and calibration), which led to improved
Health and safety of Rwandan People and competitiveness of Rwanda products,
regionally and internationally. However, still there are challenges to overcome
in terms of institutional framework and awareness, skilled personnel, standards
as well as regulation to support the national programs on food security and
food safety.
In the spirit of ensuring continued economic growth and making a step further
in strengthening the capacity of RBS to deliver on the standardization and
conformity assessment, RBS would like to recruit an individual consultant to
develop one national standardization policy and related Food Security and Food
Safety laws/regulations
2. Objective of the
Assignment
• Develop in close collaboration with NSB Management the Standardization policy
• Develop in close collaboration with NSB Management, comprehensive
Laws/regulations to implement the above policy.
• Develop a roadmap for the adoption & implementation of the above
mentioned policy.
3. Scope of assignment
In order to achieve the
objectives set out above, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
• Review existing policies, laws and regulations governing standardization with
particular emphasis on food security and food safety in Rwanda, and the
regulatory framework;
• Review documentation on the work practices of RBS for standards development,
harmonisation, review quality management certification, environmental
management certification and food safety management certification;
• In close consultation with RBS, conduct a stakeholder analysis to determine
different actors and target group and degree of engagement in the policy
development process.
• Conduct Consultative meetings with key stakeholders i.e. MINICOM, MINAGRI,
RCA, RAB, RHA, RTDA, RURA, RDB etc…to acquire information and recommendations
to shape the policy
• Conduct research to identify similar policies and best practices regionally
or internationally.
• Assessment of the applicability of the above policies, laws and regulations
in Rwanda
• Undertake a study of the status of regional as well as national
standardization strategies and propose a standardization policy along with
laws/regulations required for its implementation
• Identify and assess options suitable for the stakeholders with regard to
compliance with the policy and related regulation. Describe in detail the
required steps to implement recommended measures including details of awareness
workshops to be offered as well as whom to be involved.
• Draft standardization policy document
• Draft proposed laws/regulation
• Facilitate a validation workshop with the above mentioned stakeholders to
review the draft policy
• Develop in close collaboration with NSB Management the Standardization policy
• Develop in close collaboration with NSB Management, comprehensive
Laws/regulations to implement the above policy.
• Develop a roadmap for the adoption & implementation of the above
mentioned policy.
The consultancy is expected to be implemented within a total of 80 working
days. The consultant will report to the RBS Project Coordinator on all
contractual matters. The validation workshop and key consultations will be
carried out in Kigali City where the Head quarters of RBS are located.
4. Expert profile:
• The consultant will preferably have at least a Masters Degree in Agricultural
Engineering/Food Science/Food Engineering/Food Technology or subject related to
Food Security and proven experience of at least 7 years in standardization
related activities
• The consultant will have good knowledge of national Quality Infrastructure
(NQI), rules of formulating standards and regulations. Having performed similar
activities and Knowledge of other countries similar policies especially
countries in the EAC region is an advantage
• Having prepared scientific policies in the field of standards and conformity
assessment or related scientific field in the past.
• Ability to align the Standardization policy to RBS Functions and Mandate and
be able to fit it into Vision 2020, National Quality Policy, EDPRS, National
Export policy, and other relevant national policies and strategies
• She/he should have research skills, excellent writing skills, be able to
prepare a lot of material in a precise manner tailored for different audiences
and familiar with the local Rwandan context
• knowledge of the operation of bodies that carry out standardization,
conformity assessments and metrology services as well as experience in
developing policies, ability to engage diverse stakeholders in an effective
manner so as to acquire critical information
• Have proven experience in formulating of rules and regulations. Knowledge of
the standards applied by other countries in the EAC region is a distinct
advantage.
Expressions of interest made by Cv’s, Academic degrees and certificates shall
reach the Director General’s Office of Rwanda Bureau of Standards no later than
17/7/2013 at 4:00 p.m
(local time) at the following address: Rwanda Bureau of Standards, Head Office,
P.O Box 7099, Tel :(250)586103, Fax: (250)583305 Kigali-Rwanda, Kicukiro
Centre. The Consultant shall indicate clearly the title of the consultancy
service.
Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe Director General
