Farmers’ hubs development officer (II) at Sight and Life: (Deadline 22 August 2022)

Farmers’ hubs development officer (II) at Sight and Life: (Deadline 22 August 2022)

Organization: Sight and Life Rwanda

Project: Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE)

Position: Farmers’ hubs development officer (II)

Location: Rubavu and Rusizi cities, Western Province/ Rwanda

Period: One year

A.ABOUT THE NUTRITION IN CITY ECOSYSTEMS (NICE) PROJECT

The nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project in Rwanda is aligned with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)’s Global Food Security Programme (GFSP), the project aims at improving nutrition and health, and to reduce poverty by increasing the demand and supply of local, diverse, agro-ecological foods. NICE project ensures a strong focus on women, youth and vulnerable population groups in Rwanda, Kenya and Bangladesh.

The project is implemented by a one-of-a- kind Swiss Consortium comprised of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, ETH Zürich, Sight and Life and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA).  Sight and Life (SAL) is the implementing agency of the “Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE)” project in Rwanda.

The goal of the NICE project is to improve the health and nutrition of city populations with a particular focus on women and youth. It will facilitate multi-sectoral action for improved nutrition, local public private partnerships and will introduce socio-economic business models to strengthen the demand and supply of local, nutritious, agro ecological foods. In Rwanda, the NICE project is initially focusing on the two cities of Rusizi and Rubavu in Western Province.

The focus of the outcome 2 of the NICE project is for the cities to better knowledge about faming systems and value chains are promoted through agro- ecological projects. The implementation of the outcome 2 of the NICE project was designed through the “Farmers’ hubs model”, and is led by the Syngenta Foundation for the Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA).

The NICE project is recruiting two farmers’ hubs development officers to be based in Rubavu and Rusizi cities/districts in Western Province of Rwanda. The farmers’ hubs development officers will report to the NICE project coordinator, in closer working collaboration with the city coordinators, business development service provider, and other project partners.

B.JOB SUMMARY

The farmers’ hubs development officers will coordinate the activities of setting up Network managers (NM), farmers’ hubs (FH) and recruitment of farmers; as well as supporting FH and other value chains actors’ beneficiary of the NICE project in improvement of the business performance.

C.ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Establishment of farmers’ hubs
   • Pre-incubation period:

Using SFSA common operating systems guidelines (COS) and through guidance from the project team, the Pre-incubation activities will include the following

• Scoping and situational analysis
• Selection, recruitment and establishment of farmer hubs
• Mapping of partners and value chains.
• Identification and incorporation of the vulnerable population within the farmers’ hubs
  • Incubation period
• Conduct need assessment to identify the needs of the Farmers hubs
• Work in collaboration with the business development consultant to carry out capacity building, mentorship and coaching to enhance operational processes and business capacities of the farmers’ hubs.
• To strengthen the business skills among farmers’ hubs.
• Regularly monitoring performance of the farmer’s hubs

2. Contribution to the project results

• The farmers’ hubs development officer will work in collaboration to contribute to the NICE project results for sustaining food systems in the cities.

2.1 To strengthen food systems governance in cities

• Collaboration with the project team and contribution in establishment an operationalization of the food systems platform in the cities

2.2 To enhance availability and production of affordable, healthy, diverse, agro-ecologically produced local foods

• Liaise with food producers in the city food shed and address the question of the priority value chai
• Ensure women and youth are actively involved in all activities on the production si
• Facilitate capacity building/development program in agroecology, through collaboration with the NICE project team and local experts in this domai

2.3 City population’s understanding and awareness is increased, and demand is created, for the consumption of nutritious and agro-ecologically produced food

• Participate in and contribute to activities aiming to stimulate demand for nutritious foods.
• Support in promoting the dissemination of messaging through different channels
• Involve the health and education sectors as important intermediaries with the city population for promoting messages about diverse, nutritious and agro-ecological fo

2.4 Scaling of the processes based on data.

• Preparation of peer learning sessions and exchange workshops.
• Participation in the identification and development of impact stories

3. Other responsibilities

• To represent SAL & SFSA in NICE project activities
• Provide regular reports on the performance of the farmers’ hubs.
• Additional tasks or responsibilities provided by the city coordinator or project manager.

D.QUALIFICATIONS

To best fit into this dynamic, interdisciplinary team we expect the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Agribusiness, agronomy, agroecology, crop production or a related fiel
• Minimum of three years’ experience in commercial agricultural production, farmers’ assistance, agricultural SMEs management preferably in Rwand
• Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder environme
• Understanding gender gaps in farming and food value chains.
• Experience in agricultural commercial business models
• Understanding of agroecology principles.
• Excellent command of Kinyarwanda and English (oral and written), knowledge of French is considered as an asset.
• Experience in farmers’ linkages with markets.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Ready to live in Rusizi and Rubav
• Strong ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent Interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team
• Being proactive.

E.ADDITIONAL DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Computer literacy (MS office & internet).
• Dedicated and highly motivated professional, with a strong spirit for teamwork and sense of initiativ

F.APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Only those who meet the above requirements are requested to apply. Application materials include CV (maximum 4 pages) and a single page of motivation letter. Qualified candidates should submit applications to SAL_Rwanda@sightandlife.org with the subject line: Application for NICE _Farmers’ hubs development officer, not later than August 22 at 6.00 PM Kigali time.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

SAL Rwanda is an equal opportunity employer. All applications will be treated according to the merit of the candidate and with strict confidentiality.