Agrifood Systems and Climate-smart Agriculture (AFS-CSA) Expert at Expertise France: (Deadline 21 February 2025)

Agrifood Systems and Climate-smart Agriculture (AFS-CSA) Expert at Expertise France: (Deadline 21 February 2025)

Terms of Reference / Job Description

Agrifood Systems and Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert for Expertise France

“TVET Agri – Ubuhinzi Skills+” project

Job title: Agrifood Systems and Climate-Smart Agriculture (AFS-CSA) Expert

Reports to: Project Manager

Location: Kigali, Rwanda, with regular travel to other regions in Rwanda

Type of contract: full-time, fixed-term contract

Contract duration: 1 year, with possibility of renewal (local contract)

Job Level: senior level

Overview

Expertise France is the French agency for international cooperation, under the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. The agency develops and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in low- and middle-income countries and focuses on four priority areas:

• Democratic, economic and financial governance;
• Stability of countries in crisis/post-crisis situations and security;
• Combating climate change and favouring sustainable urban development;
• Strengthening health systems, social protection and employment.

In these areas, Expertise France engineers and implements capacity-building projects, mobilises technical expertise and acts as a project coordinator, bringing together public expertise and private know-how. With an annual business volume of 390 million euros and over 400 projects in 145 countries, Expertise France’s activities are part of France’s international cooperation policy and official development assistance.

Project description

The “TVET Agri – Ubuhinzi Skills+” project aims to contribute to the National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050 established by the Government of Rwanda to guide the socio-economic development of the country towards a prosperous and high-income economy by 2050. Representing 25% of GDP and 70% of Rwanda’s active population, agriculture is a key sector targeted in order to boost the country’s economy and create jobs. The development of agricultural skills is one of the priorities for the sector’s transformation, with the national objective of establishing Centres of Vocational Excellence for technical and vocational education and training in agriculture. These centres will help develop a new generation of qualified workforce, capable of stimulating sustainable agricultural development, contributing to food security, economic growth and improved livelihoods for rural communities in Rwanda.

The “TVET Agri – Ubuhinzi Skills+” project is implemented by Expertise France to support the national agency Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) in the establishment of Centres of Excellence in agriculture. In line with national priorities, the project aims to increase the sustainability, climate resilience and inclusion of agricultural practices by strengthening the skills of women and youth in Rwanda.

The project is structured around two specific objectives:

1. Improve access of women and youth to quality skills and formal certification in agricultural practices.
2. Improve the effectiveness of mechanisms for integrating women and young people into the agricultural labour market, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture.

In Rwanda, 77% of farmers are women, mainly in subsistence agriculture, vulnerable to climate change. Gender is a key cross-cutting theme for the project which aims to implement transformative and sustainable actions for women, young girls and their communities.

The project will be implemented over a period of five years, with a budget of +16 million euros financed by the EU and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It will include technical assistance at the national level in support of RTB, and two TVET schools will also be supported with technical assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation and procurement of equipment. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the beneficiary partner RTB, as well as with donors and project partners, such as LuxDev.

The project will be led by the Project Manager, with direct support from the Deputy Project Manager, and the team will consist of 4 Technical Experts, a MEAL Officer, and 2 Project Advisors based in targeted TVET schools. The team will be supported by Expertise France’s Kigali-based Project Support Unit (PSU) for admin, finance, HR and procurement, as well as Paris-based HQ.

The role

The Agrifood Systems and Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert will be based within the project team in Kigali, under the direct supervision of the Project Manager. He/she will be responsible for the full implementation of a package of activities and will provide specialised expertise in sustainable agrifood systems, climate-resilient practices, and innovation to the project team, RTB, and other stakeholders, ensuring that all project components and activities integrate resource efficiency, resilience, and inclusivity. He/she will support the review and development of policy frameworks, strategies, and operational processes that strengthen TVET Centres of Excellence and foster cutting-edge solutions. The Expert will also champion the adoption and scaling of new technologies, contributing to the project’s successful, innovative, and inclusive implementation. The Expert will play a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s successful and inclusive implementation.

The main responsibilities of the Agrifood Systems and Climate-Smart Agriculture (AFS-CSA) Expert will be:

1. To provide strategic and technical advice in TVET

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to the Project Manager, project team on TVET, and RTB, ensuring the integration of Agrifood Systems and Climate-Smart Agriculture (AFS-CSA) principles.
• Analyse and improve curricula, pedagogy, and assessment methods in agricultural, livestock, and agro-food pathways to achieve excellence standards, especially regarding resource efficiency, climate resilience, and innovation.
• Assess the current state of agricultural and agro-food TVET in Rwanda, identify gaps, and contribute to defining actions that reinforce the adoption of AFS-CSA practices (e.g. adapted crop varieties, rational input management, low-carbon technologies).
• Engage stakeholders in Rwanda’s TVET sector, particularly RTB, to create synergies, align with national priorities (food security, rural employment, climate change adaptation), and promote the roles of women and young people in agrifood systems.
• Support the implementation of studies and surveys related to employment, skills, and climate impact, to guide strategic decisions and ensure complementarity in interventions.

2. To lead the project’s AFS-CSA activities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee all TVET activities linked to AFS-CSA, ensuring coherence with the project’s objectives and the optimal allocation of resources (budget, external expertise, etc.).
• Update or develop training curricula and materials incorporating climate-smart agriculture (CSA) principles, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, adaptation to climate variability, and sustainable natural resource management.
• Carry out training needs assessments for various target groups (students, adult farmers, women, young people) and design modular or mobile approaches tailored to their constraints, including digital tools and blended learning.
• Monitor and evaluate progress by measuring the uptake of effective AFS-CSA practices, identifying challenges, and proposing improvements for continuous learning.
• Report regularly on achievements, challenges, and recommendations concerning TVET activities, and contribute to capitalisation and dissemination efforts (reports, workshops, webinars, etc.).

3. To support targeted TVET schools’ transition to Centres of Vocational Excellence

• Assess and plan the technical, pedagogical, and infrastructural needs required for TVET institutions to become Centres of Excellence (CoVE) specialising in agrifood and CSA.
• Contribute to feasibility analyses for infrastructure and equipment (laboratories, demonstration fields, or experimental farms), incorporating innovation and climate resilience criteria.
• Identify and address skill and resource gaps (teacher training, learning materials, and adoption of AFS-CSA techniques such as drip irrigation, agroforestry, and efficient input management).
• Strengthen the capacities of management and teaching staff, including updates on new curricula, digital teaching methods, and the specific excellence standards for sustainable agrifood systems.
• Develop or adapt governance, accreditation, and evaluation frameworks that guide the transformation into Centres of Excellence and facilitate knowledge sharing among institutions to foster best practices and continuous improvement.

Profile

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in agronomy, animal health, rural economics or another relevant discipline, ideally with a specialization in climate-smart agriculture and innovative agri-food systems, or in any other field relevant to the position.

Professional experience

• At least 10 years of experience working in Agrifood Systems, Climate-Smart Agriculture, or related fields (e.g. climate adaptation, resource management, food security).
• Solid project management skills, including experience in planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes or initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, innovation, or climate-smart practices.
• Proven track record working on donor-funded or externally financed projects, ideally within the context of education, rural development, agricultural transformation, or environmental sustainability.
• Experience in strategic advisory roles, offering technical support to stakeholders (government agencies, TVET institutions, private sector, NGOs) in areas such as curriculum development, climate resilience, or value chain optimisation.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives, collaborating effectively with government institutions, private-sector actors, academic bodies, and local communities.

Skills

• Implementation of AFS-CSA and Capacity-Building. Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training, workshops, and other capacity-building activities on agrifood systems and climate-smart agriculture.
• Understanding of TVET and Agriculture Sector Challenges. Familiarity with labour market dynamics, skills development strategies, and sector-specific hurdles, especially regarding women, youth, and marginalised groups.
• Mainstreaming Climate Resilience and Inclusion. Ability to integrate climate-smart and inclusive measures into institutional frameworks, curricula, and partnership approaches.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy.Proven track record in collaborating with government, NGOs, and private actors to build consensus and promote climate-resilient, inclusive agrifood solutions.
• Communication and Facilitation. Strong capacity to translate technical concepts into accessible language for diverse audiences; adept at facilitation and cross-functional teamwork.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Mindset. Skilled in identifying challenges, proposing evidence-based solutions, and adapting strategies based on feedback and evolving contexts.
• Proactive and Accountable. Takes initiative, demonstrates responsibility, and ensures timely, high-quality outputs.
• Language Proficiency and digital literacy. Perfect command of English and Kinyarwanda; fluency in French is an asset. Proficiency in standard office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Additional information

Desired start date: April 2025

Application deadline: February 21, 2025

Remuneration: competitive remuneration will be offered according to Expertise France’s salary scale and the candidate’s qualification and experience.

Please upload your CV and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages each), photocopies of diplomas and certificates of employment, as well as three professional references with contact details on this link only:

https://expertise-france.gestmax.fr/apply/12630/1

Candidates are invited to submit their application as soon as possible. Expertise France reserves the right to pre-select candidates before the application deadline.

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