MSMEs and Cooperatives Specialist(Huye) at GIZ Rwanda: (Deadline 26 July 2023)

Vacancy Announcement  

MSMEs and Cooperatives Specialist

for The Skills Development and Economic Transformation (SD4T) Programme 

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development, Good Governance, Climate and Energy, Digitalization, Extractive Governance and Peace and Security in the Great Lakes Region.

General Context of Skills Development and Economic Transformation (SD4T) Programme 

Rwanda’s economic growth has been remarkable over the years with annual growth rates averaged at 8% over the past two decades. While unemployment (21.1 %) and underemployment (58.9 %) remain high, majority of the population works in the agriculture sector where incomes are low. Furthermore, the number of young people entering the labour market is increasing yet a large proportion of local companies are unregistered micro-enterprises which are not very competitive and cannot harness the long-term potential for growth. Most of these companies are only creating a handful of jobs currently and domestic value creation specifically in the light manufacturing sector is low and meets international standards only to a limited extent. At the same time, the professional skills of many job seekers do not match the requirements of the labour market. However, with strategies like the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and the Made in Rwanda Strategy, the Government of Rwanda is promoting skills development, the creation of off-farm jobs and domestic value creation to contribute to the Rwandan Government’s strategy.

The Skills Development and Economic Transformation (SD4T) Programme;

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned GIZ to implement the project “Skills development for Economic Transformation (SD4T)” in Rwanda from 2023 to 2025, as part of the priority area “Sustainable Economic Development” of the Rwandan-German Development Cooperation. The project’s main political partners are the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) and the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC). The project aims to create jobs and strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in the light manufacturing industry (e.g. furniture production, metal processing etc.) according to the principles of inclusivity, productivity and environmental sustainability. This will be achieved by following an integrated approach to employment promotion, consisting of 1) the promotion of technical and vocational education and training to enhance the quality of labour supply, 2) private sector development to raise labour demand, and 3) economic policy advice to improve the matching of labour supply and demand with specific focus on the economic empowerment of women through all its interventions.

It is with this background that GIZ Rwanda is currently looking for MSMEs and Cooperatives Specialist for The Skills Development and Economic Transformation (SD4T) Programme

Location: Huye District

Fixed Term: 15.08.2023-31.12.2025

Position: MSMEs and Cooperatives Specialist

The MSMEs and Cooperatives Specialist will perform the following responsibilities and tasks:

A.   Responsibilities

The MSMEs and Cooperatives Specialist will be responsible for:

• Support SD4T programme office to promote linkages between TVET institutions in the region and the Private Sector in line with the programme’s interventions related to employment promotion in the light manufacturing sector
• In close collaboration with the MSMEs & Cooperatives specialist, provide advice on the organisational and capacity development of the Huye Employment Service Center (HESC)
• Ensure effective linkages between interventions within the Huye regional hub and the SD4T Programme office in Kigali 

The expert  will perform the following tasks in close cooperation with the public and private partners

B.   Tasks;

Support SD4T programme office to promote linkages between TVET institutions in the region and the Private Sector in line with the programme’s interventions related to employment promotion in the light manufacturing sector

• Assists with the implementation of activities related to employment promotion such as career guidance, organization of job fairs, job scouting and internship programmes within the Huye regional hub
• In close collaboration with the MSME & cooperatives specialist in the regional hub, the junior advisor will provide advice on the organizational development of employment service centres, management of Job seekers’ skills needs and the establishment of partnerships with the private sector within the hub
• In coordination with the SD4T programme office in Kigali, he/she will support the Huye employment service center to identify incentives for the private sector to enrol interns and optimize job placements within the region

In close collaboration with the MSMEs & Cooperatives specialist, provide advice on the organisational and capacity development of the Huye Employment Service Center (HESC)

• In close collaboration with the Huye employment service center, support RDB- Chief Skills Office to develop content for career guidance and career counselling for TVET graduates in the light manufacturing sector based on the existing needs of the private sector in the region
• Provide support during the organization and coordination processes of the regional job fairs in close collaboration with the Huye employment service centre and the private sector to ensure increased opportunities e.g internships and job placements
• Assist during the capacity development process for the HESC staff as a way of ensuring that they have the necessary technical skills required to deliver services such as trainings and career guidance for graduates to transition into employment

Ensure effective linkages between interventions within the Huye regional hub and the SD4T Programme office in Kigali

• Support the organization of joint planning sessions with partners on the transition into employment at the regional level in collaboration with private sector actors and TVET graduates to enable youth employment
•  Contribute towards the SD4T programme’s planning, implementation and monitoring of activities related to TVET and LMI and prepare reports accordingly
• Support the MSMEs & cooperatives specialist in matters related to the coordination of the Huye regional hub

C.   Other qualifications and Education experience:

• 3 years’ experience in the field of TVET and Labour Market’s Interventions in Rwanda
• Bachelor’s in Education, Management, or any other relevant academic field
• Experience working with TVET or academic institutions in Rwanda or in in the labour market interventions field and knowledge on the work of public employment service centers in Rwanda
• Experience working with international organizations would be an added advantage.

D.   Others:

• Willingness to work and reside in Huye district with frequent travels during the coordination of the programmes activities at the different TVET schools and IPRCs within the region
• Willingness to always abide by the principles and regulations of GIZ while implementing the different activities and representing the SD4T programme within the different partner institutions
• Ability to work independently and coordinate all the planned activities in accordance with the programme’s operational plan and the needs of the different partner institutions within this regional hub
• Knowledge on the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.)
• The candidate must be very conversant and fluent with both Kinyarwanda and English.  French is an added advantage.

Interested candidates should submit  their  application  (motivation  letter,  updated  CV,  certificates  and references) , until 26^th July 2023 at 4:00 PM , by e-mail to [email protected]. All attachments should be put together in one PDF file not larger than 2 MB. Please quote the job title in the subject. 

GIZ is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified candidates. This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please, let us know if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to take into account when considering your application.  

Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview. 

GIZ Office Rwanda

KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu

P.O. Box 59, Kigali,

Rwanda

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