Laboratory Specialist at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA): (Deadline 16 May 2025)

Laboratory Specialist

About CNFA

CNFA is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 47 countries around the world.

Program Description

CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of Laboratory Specialist to support a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Rwanda, dubbed Haranira Ubuziranenge. Haranira Ubuziranenge, which translates to “ensuring or striving for safety” in Kinyarwanda, aims to strengthen the capacities of public and private stakeholders in Rwanda to develop, enforce, and adopt international science-based food safety standards. To achieve this goal, the Project will implement interventions across three key components: 1) Strengthening Food Safety Frameworks and Government Institutions; 2) Enhanced Laboratory Technical Capacity in Testing, Inspection, and Certification; and 3) Increased Food Safety Awareness and Capacity Building of Producers.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Food Safety Director, the Laboratory Specialist will coordinate and support implementation of the laboratory capacity building initiative, to ensure the planned activities are executed in an efficient and timely manner. This position is based in Kigali.

The Key Roles and Responsibilities include:

• Facilitating Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) to develop the capacity building action plan
• Facilitating AOAC to conduct the gap assessment for food testing laboratories assessing capabilities, standards, and performance in line with good laboratory practices (GLP)
• Facilitating RSB and AOAC to conduct the Laboratory Performance Benchmarking Program (LPBP) and the Laboratory Proficiency Testing (PT) Program
• Facilitating RSB and the AOAC Consultant to implement the Laboratory training and coaching activities, including tailored training programs informed by the gap assessment
• Organizing the food safety capacity building initiatives for SMEs
• Carrying out any other duties as assigned by CNFA

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or other relevant field, with five (5) years relevant work experience or Advanced Degree Food Science, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or other relevant field, with at least one (1) year relevant work experience.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Oral and written fluency in English is required, fluency in Kinyarwanda is preferred, French is an asset.

Application Instructions

• All interested and qualified Candidate can send their application (motivation letter, updated CV and references) documents to [email protected]  not later than 16 May 2025.
• Please quote the job title on the subject and title your CV file with YOUR NAME, POSITION APPLIED.
• Only candidates selected for interview will be notified.

CNFA IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of CNFA to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, veteran status, or on the basis of personal favoritism or other non-merit factors, except where otherwise provided by law.