4 Positions at Sustainable Growers Rwanda: (Deadline 23 October 2020)

Sustainable Growers Rwanda (SGR) is a non-profit organization that works to create economic opportunities for women coffee farmers to achieve economic independence. SGR supports women coffee farmers and their families to become more professionalized and market- based skilled to increase their family incomes through a professional training approach to growing and trading specialty coffee, so they can form direct, productive relationships with coffee processors, importers, and roasters.

established in 2014, Sustainable Growers has a strong track record for connecting actors along the value chain, to facilitate deep and global partnerships between smallholder producers and their customers.

POSITION: SGR DIRECTOR

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SUPERVISES HR&Ops., SDM, AF&MA, Coord., MR&QM, TZ Coord,, DRC Coord. And M&E/Tech.

LOCATION: Kigali

STATUS: Fixed Term Contract

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The SGR Director 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 working for SGR.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities are but not limited to

• Oversee the design, planning, and successful execution of programs and activities in Rwanda, DRC & Tanzania;
• Provide 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 funders standards;
• Participate in recruitment, orientation and supervision and mentorship of  direct reports;
• Ensure strong relationships between SGR and all its stakeholders in Rwanda, DRC, and Tanzania including but not limited to government, partners, media, funders, and other stakeholders – in keeping with SGR’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure high quality and timely development, delivery and presentation of the narrative, financial, and other required and requested reports on program developments, successes, and constraints in all territories and to all stakeholders as required by the program agreement and as requested ad hoc;
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local and international partners, funders, 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;
• Work closely with the M&E team for data recording, reporting, and filing to ease Tracking of the activities progress and ensure quality execution of program.
• Contribute to the documentation and sharing of knowledge within the broader SGR  community;
• Ensure that all levels of government are familiar with the program and that the program is aligned with government goals;
• Ensure that staff  are aware of their own performance against project milestones, sharing lessons-learned and benefiting from each other’s work;
• Collect and compile information related to project milestones and funding requirements through interfacing with staff, partner organizations, and government bodies;
• Collect necessary information and prepare any reports on program structure, impact, and implementation as requested by partners, funders, or associates;
• Maintain organizational databases such as the government tracker, the agronomy  training tracker, and partnerships database;
• Track key metrics to monitor and evaluate the success of the project keeping with grant reporting requirements;
• Conduct periodical regular performance review of direct reports and undertake development initiatives to increase their capacity to achieve set targets;

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ROLE

• Degree in Agronomy or related field;
• Minimum 5 to 8 years’ experience designing, directing, and evaluating complex field-based programs and budgets in Rwanda 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;
• 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 Rwanda;
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of Rwanda and/or other East African nations is preferred;
• Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases);
• Fluency in English, with proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing. Kinyarwanda and French language skills required.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Development of usable plans for projects
• Implementation of projects according to budget and schedule
• Control and monitor progress to ensure aligned delivery
• Complete and close projects

KEY INDICATORS

• Designed plans
• Implementation of activities follow up
• Activity reports
• M&E reports
• Closeout activities

Sustainable Growers Rwanda is a non-profit organization that works to create economic opportunities for women coffee farmers to achieve economic independence. SGR supports women coffee farmers and their families to become more professionalized and market- based skilled to increase their family incomes through professional training approach to growing and trading specialty coffee, so they can form direct, productive relationships with coffee processors, importers, and roasters.

Established in 2014, Sustainable Growers has a strong track record for connecting actors along the value chain, to facilitate deep and global partnerships between smallholder producers and their customers. To complete the team based in Kigali, we are looking for an Executive Assistant. This is an opportunity for the right person to gain significant exposure to high-level administrative support whilst delivering a critical component in our unique structure.

POSITION: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SUPERVISES: None

LOCATION: Kigali

STATUS: Fixed Term Contract

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To support the Executive Director and the team to ensure the smooth running of activities at the Kigali Office.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities are but not limited to:

• Be proactive in managing calendar meeting requests, executive travel requirements, and logistics;
• Coordinate with the HR&Operations Manager to Schedule meetings and coordinate related logistics, such as room bookings, refreshments, and document preparation for all attendees;
• Plan, coordinate and ensure schedules are followed and respected, manage access to ensure order in the same;
• Monitor communication including email, print attachments and take care of materials as required;
• Give keen attention to accuracy and detail when dealing with a high volume of email correspondence and requests;
• Write routine correspondence with the ability to be proactive in identifying the need for writing;
• Bring order in the handling of a variety of documents, reports, and information;
• Keep an accurate paper and electronic filing system to ensure quick and easy access to the required document;
• Monitor all contracts and MOUs with different stakeholders;

• Build and maintain relationships with all employees and external contacts;
•  Handle the distribution of mail and couriers;

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ROLE

• Bachelor degree in Administration or relevant field;
• 5 years of experience in Administration preferably supporting executives or senior managers;
• Be very proficient with current technology including; Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on presentations and email management;
• Excellent planning, prioritization, and time management skills;
• Exceptional communication skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to handle confidential information with careful discretion and integrity;
•  Language English and Kinyarwanda, French will be an added advantage.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Provide administrative and secretarial support to the ED
• Provide administrative and clerical support to the meetings and arrange functions
• General administrative assistance, especially contract to monitor
• Correspondence and communication

KEY INDICATORS

• Timely handling of communication with accuracy in writing
• Well ran schedules that create a good flow of activity
• Accurate and accessible records
• Number of contracts handled well

Sustainable Growers Rwanda is a non-profit organization that works to create economic opportunities for women coffee farmers to achieve economic independence in Rwanda, DR-Congo, and Tanzania. SGR supports women coffee farmers and their families to become more professionalized and market- based skilled to increase their family incomes through professional training approach to growing and trading specialty coffee, so they can form direct, productive relationships with coffee processors, importers, and roasters.

Established in 2014, Sustainable Growers has a strong track record for connecting actors along the value chain, to facilitate deep and global partnerships between smallholder producers and their customers.

POSITION: HR & Operations Manager

REPORTS TO: SGR Director

SUPERVISES: Support Staff

LOCATION: Kigali

STATUS: Fixed Term Contract

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

Responsible for carrying out key Human Resource duties and providing operational management and coordination of support for SGR’s program activities in Rwanda, DR-Congo, Tanzania and SGR affiliates (LLC and Q Coffee Ltd), through directing and efficient use of resources to achieve program targets.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities are but not limited to

Human Resources:   

• Maintain accurate Human Resources records for organizations in all departments. This includes employee recruitment, preparation of paperwork for new hires, new hire orientation, compliance with Rwanda, DRC, and Tanzania labor laws, maintaining a schedule for employee reviews, contact person for employee issues or complaints, and updating and maintaining current job descriptions for all positions
• Monitoring and negotiating health insurance policies and liaising with the broker;
• Identifying policy needs for human resources and working with the SGR Director to implement those policies;
• Acting on hiring needs identified by Directors for each of their respective program areas;
• Keeping track of employee anniversaries and birthdays and other personal milestones for appropriate celebration and acknowledgment of such milestones
• Work with to maintain confidentiality and physical records of all NGO and LLC/ Q Coffee Ltd personnel files;
• Working with Directors of each program area to ensure timely delivery of Employee Performance Appraisals as per the internal HR Policies;
• Work with Directors to assure that staff are taking appropriate rest periods from work and using their annual leave so that large balances of unused leave are not accumulating;
• Work closely with SGR Director on implementation of new policies and procedures regarding travel per diems and reimbursements for staff and Program Beneficiaries;

Coordination

• Coordinate the schedule or rent vehicles for staff to travel to the field when needed;
• Facilitate the negotiation and procurement of vehicles or enter into long-term leases within the allowed budget for the NGO, LLC, and Q Coffee Ltd vehicles;
• Provide training as needed and directed to the support staff on the calendar of field visits;
• Provide additional direction to the support staff and drivers as needed regarding repair and replacement of Company vehicles;

Operations

• Develop and maintain all internal procedures, policies, and structures required to create an efficient and effective working environment.
• Correspond with vendors, volunteers, and contractors, assisting Directors
• Identify and improve existing administrative and operations systems;
• Coordinate between each program area efforts to ensure smooth delivery of objectives;
• Schedule and Facilitate Staff meetings to ensure consistent and clear communication of NGO Program, LLC, and Q Coffee Ltd activities and alignment of priorities and collaboration between teams;
• Be the “owner” of the internal calendars;
• Vet potential partners for the organization – act as the first point of contact, filter the requests, and direct toward the appropriate program area;

Event Management

• Plan and coordinate logistics of events with event planners, hotels, vendors, exhibition partners, local sponsors, and other stakeholders;

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ROLE

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture Economic or other closely related degree.
• A post-graduate qualification and or experience in Human Resource shall be an added advantage;
• At least 3 years of progressive supervisory work experience in a busy organization or agricultural setting in an administrative/operations position.
• Experience in managing and leading other staff teams;
• Leadership, supervision, good interpersonal and decision-making skills are required;
• Strong communication, organization & negotiation skills;
• Good communication skills in both written and oral with practical computer skills and competence in MS Office
• Good skills in English, French and Kinyarwanda.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Compliant and best practice running of Operations and HR
• The smooth running of field activities with value for money
• Properly scheduled organization-wide activities
• Well organized events

KEY INDICATORS

• Good industrial relations and motivated staff
• Cost-effective activities
• Calendar with harmonized activities
• Number of events