Cooperative Management Specialist at FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization: (Deadline 21 April 2023)

Organizational Setting

The beekeeping sector in Rwanda is increasingly attracting the private sector to invest in bee products and beekeeping inputs trade. To date, many local brands exist on the Rwandan market aside from other brands from neighbouring countries. The shift in the lifestyle of the middle class and rich persons in Rwanda to do supermarket shopping and increasing concern about consuming health products has increased the market for honey. Most of the honey processors and packers supply supermarkets and hotels. Despite these market opportunities, the supply of honey to high-end markets such as supermarkets and hotels still comes with complaints about the quality and quantity of honey supplied while beekeeping cooperatives from which the increase in quantity and improved quality of honey and honey products is expected are not very well managed according to beekeepers themselves and local district authorities.

In line with the above background, there is need for capacitating development of beekeepers to produce quantity and quality honey and honey products in Rwanda for the local and export market.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative/Programme and the Regional Project Coordinator, the incumbent will train and support legalizing 100 beekeeping cooperatives across the country.

The duties and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the followings:

Technical Focus

Support to capacity building of beekeeping Cooperatives on Proper Cooperative management and legal status of Cooperatives.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Carry out mapping of beekeeping cooperatives in the country and their success stories and challenges surrounding mainly the cooperative management and sustainability
•    Conduct professional training on beekeeping cooperatives management options on the 10 educational apiaries
•    Organize study visits for beekeeping cooperatives to the successful  apiaries
•    Assist  cooperatives to establish rules and regulations
•    Conduct training on governance, financial management and conflict resolution in beekeepers cooperatives
•    Conduct needs assessment as basis for capacity building and revitalization of cooperatives
•    Train cooperatives leaders on planning and budgeting, good governance, Financial management, Gender and cost of production estimation
•    Train cooperatives leaders on laws, policies and guidelines related to beekeeping in Rwanda and internationally
•    Support beekeepers cooperatives to have  legal registration certificates
•    Prepare a final report and its submission for FAO endorsement
•    Provide organizational and technological management of beekeeping on farm.
•    Train beekeeping cooperatives on efficient use of fixed assets, material resources, advanced technology for production of bee products, reducing costs, increasing productivity and profitability.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced University Degree (minimum Master Degree) in agricultural economics, Agribusiness environmental economics, International Development, Project Management and other related fields
•    At least 5 years of experience including 3 years in beekeeping and cooperative management
•    Working knowledge of written and spoken English and Kinyarwanda
•    National of Rwanda or a legal resident in the country with a valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills

•    Extensive knowledge of the management of cooperatives; associations and /or Cooperatives Union
•    Having past experience on training farmers on cooperative management;
•    Skills in advocacy, tact and a high degree of discretion and integrity;
•    Demonstrated competency in capacity building and training of farmers;
•    High-level managerial, supervisory, analytical and negotiating skills;
•    Excellent ability to communicate in a credible and effective manner;

Selection Criteria

•    Significant experience of Farmers Cooperative management and community-based development projects including beekeeping ones
•    Proven experience in gaining cooperation, building and managing relations and partnerships with Local Government Institutions/organizations/agencies, as well as diverse range of stakeholders
•    Sound knowledge and working experience related to the policy, legislation and regulation of municipal and provincial frameworks in Rwanda.