JOB AT CNFA : Embedded Advisor in RAB : ( Deadline : 10 May 2019 )

JOB AT CNFA : Embedded Advisor in RAB : ( Deadline : 10 May 2019 )

Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Weze

Scope of Work – Embedded Advisor in RAB

Project Name Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Weze / Contract AID-696-C-17-00001

Consultancy Title and Assignment Local STTA – Strategic Planning and Seed Initiatives

Reports To RAB Director General / Hinga Weze Chief of Party (COP)

Level of Effort 12 Months (with the possibility of 12-month extension)

Place of Performance Kigali, Rwanda and Hinga Weze target districts

Estimated Period of Performance May 10, 2019 – May 1, 2020 (possibility of extension)

About CNFA

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural, agribusiness and livestock initiatives. CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to underserved groups. Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 44 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latina America, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

About Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Weze Activity

The objective of the five-year USAID Feeds the Future Rwanda Hinga Weze Activity is to sustainably increase smallholder farmers’ income, improve the nutritional status of Rwandan women and children, and increase the resilience of agriculture and food systems to the changing climate. These outcomes will be achieved through combining capacity building with in-kind matching grants and technical support to strengthen agricultural extension, improve agricultural infrastructure, and facilitate linkages among value chain actors. To achieve the goals of the Hinga Weze activity, five value chains will be specifically targeted: high-iron beans, orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP), Irish potato, maize, and horticulture. The Activity is being implemented in the following ten districts of Rwanda: Gatsibo, Kayonza, Ngoma, Bugesera (Eastern Province); Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Ngororero Nyamasheke, Karongi (Western Province); and Nyamagabe (Southern Province).

Assignment Objective(s) & Scope

The Embedded Advisor in RAB will provide support to Hinga Weze (HW) and RAB in coordinating activities implemented under its Components 1, 2 and 3 and in supporting activities conducted under the Hinga Weze MEL Plan and Work Plan. In support of this, the Embedded Advisor in RAB will:

Support the RAB DG and Hinga Weze COP on agricultural policy issues as well as coordination activities with USAID and other programs.
Assist in fulfilling the RAB and Hinga Weze MOU and HW Work Plan deliverables and providing oversight, capacity-building and mentoring for Hinga Weze employees.
Work closely with Hinga Weze and RAB in order to facilitate action planning around the provision of capacity-building by Hinga Weze to the agricultural extension system in the 10 districts of Hinga Weze
Assist Hinga Weze to provide ideas and recommendations to RAB on diverse topics such as Climate-Smart Agriculture, Nutrition Smart Agriculture, and on achieving joint areas of interest in the context of PSTA-IV
Assist RAB to implement the seed strategies and road map and facilitate Hinga Weze beneficiaries to access to quality seeds.
Collaborate with RAB and other stakeholders on the development and roll-out of a Farmer Market Information system, ideally building on SMS and work already completed by other stakeholders. The upgrading of SNS can be an entry point between RAB and Hinga Weze in matters related to delivery of market information and climate-smart related information to farmers
Work with RAB and Hinga Weze staff to extend the local registration of CNFA at RAB and RGB so that program activities continue without pause.
Explore ways to contextualize and promote the CNFA “Farm Service Center” Agro-Dealership Model in Rwanda. This will be informed by briefing and learning exchange visits to see if the model is viable.
Take part in HW Steering Committee meetings as an observer, conduct stakeholder briefings, and staff meetings as needed to contribute to the goals of HW and RAB
Close follow-up of the joint work plan between RAB and Hinga Weze and facilitate communication between RAB, RAB and Hinga Weze
Participate in subsector working groups, such as the Horticulture Sector Working Group, the Fertilizer Sub-Working Group and the Seed Sub-Working Group
Attend to any other task as may be assigned by the RAB DG and/or the Hinga Weze Chief of Party in relation to RAB goals and HW Component 1, 2 and 3 deliverables

4. Assignment Deliverables

After initial field visits to Hinga Weze Kigali office and target districts are conducted, the Embedded Advisor will develop a comprehensive timeline of activities. Upon agreement on the timeline and proposed activities, the deliverables are as follows:

Develop a quarterly work plan agreed upon by both RAB and Hinga Weze
Provide a monthly report to RAB and Hinga Weze on activities conducted
Develop special and ad hoc reports as needed, especially on activities such as Twigire Muhinzi extension system, farmer Market Information System support, input subsidies, agro-dealer support mechanisms, and others as determined.
Conduct time reporting in accordance with USAID policies and Hinga Weze procedures, while complying at all times with RAB guidance.
Level of Effort (LOE), Period and Place of Performance
The STTA assignment will run from May 10, 2019 – May 1, 2020, with a possibility of extension. The consultant will be based in Kigali, conducting field visits as needed to the 10 above-mentioned focus districts under the Hinga Weze activity.

Consultant Qualifications and Experience

Strong preference for a Rwandan citizen with a university degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, agribusiness, economics, development and/or related fields
At least 10 years’ experience in agricultural policy and/or agriculture VC development
Experience with donor-funded projects/programs focused on agriculture development
Demonstrated experience in preparing and implementing successful agriculture development projects
Demonstrated experience in designing/implementing support for smallholder farmers
Extensive work experience with local governments (districts) and/or donors.
Good report writing and presentation skills in English.

Reporting and Logistics

The Embedded Advisor in RAB will report administratively to the Chief of Party, or his designee, for direction on all employee agreement actions (e.g. contract questions, timesheets, payments, etc.) and to the DG of RAB for all issues related to the technical implementation of the assignment.

He/She will work out of the RAB building on 4 days a week but will spend up to 1 day a week at the Hinga Weze office. He/she will also attend needed meetings at HW or other location, as directed by either the COP or DG. The Embedded Advisor will be paid on a monthly basis against the delivery of a monthly report of activities accomplished in line with the above tasks.

Mode of application

All interested and qualified candidates are invited to send their applications with cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and certificates sent in PDF or Word Document to hingaweze@cnfarwanda.org with the subject: “Embedded Advisor in RAB” All applicants should specify which district they are applying for. Application submission deadline is May 10th, 2019 at 5:00 PM. Only selected candidates will be contacted.