National Advisor (Hand-in-Hand initiative) at FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization: (Deadline 18 April 2022)

Organizational Setting

Rwanda has experienced strong economic growth since the mid-1990s, which has not only tripled its GDP per capita but has also made it one of the fast-growing economies on the continent. Despite this remarkable economic growth, the national poverty line still remains high in the country (55 per cent), according to the World Bank. Despite setbacks, including impact of the COVID-19, and disruptions of cross-border trade, Rwanda strives to achieve Middle Income Country (MIC) status (meaning annual $USD 4,000 per capita income) by 2035 and High-Income Country (HIC) status (meaning annual $USD 12,000 per capita income) by 2050. The channel to achieve this will be through a series of seven-year National Strategies for Transformation (NSTs), supported by sectoral strategies that are aimed toward achievement of the SDGs.

To implement the NST1 aspirations, the agriculture sector, which is the mainstay of economy, has developed its fourth edition of the Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA4) with four priority areas: (i) Innovation and Extension; (ii) Productivity and Resilience; (iii) Inclusive markets and Value Addition; and (iv) Enabling Environment and Responsible Institutions. The FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2019-2023 is also aligned to and is aimed at contributing to the Government of Rwanda’s (GoR) priorities in food security, nutrition and rural development, as enshrined in the PSTA4 (2018-2024) and with the NST1 (2017-2024).

The FAO country office in Rwanda is headed by FAO Representative. The office assists the GoR to develop strategies, policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition; the country office also helps MINAGRIG to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. Moreover, the country office supports cross-sectoral policy dialogue as well as the implementation of interventions for improving the food security and nutrition including resilience programs for the wellbeing of vulnerable and crisis-affected households in the country (inclusive of refugees). The country office is also an integral part of the UN wide country team (UNCT) which delivers as One; The country Office’s program and technical support defined in the CPF which is the FAO country strategy for the next 5 years is fully aligned with the existing frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDF) guided by the Rwanda’s Country Common Analysis (CCA).

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiHI) is a flagship initiative of the FAO Director-General to bring together major partners to support accelerated, scaled-up action to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Initiative targets the poorest – the poorest people in the poorest countries and in countries with large poor populations, as well as countries in food crisis. Its specific focus is to work with FAO Member Nations to provide data and analysis to identify inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems to eradicate poverty and malnutrition, and reduce inequality within and among nations. Hand-in-Hand partners agree to support a science- and evidence-based programme of actions, partnerships and investment to unlock local and international market opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiHI) in Rwanda is aimed at reinforcing the GOR’s agri-food systems transformation efforts. In support to implementation of the Hand-in-Hand initiative in the country, FAO Rwanda will engage the services of a National Consultant/Advisor for a period of 120 days

Reporting Lines
The HiHI National Advisor will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Rwanda and under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR/Programme and in close collaboration with the relevant national staff, the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) from the FAO Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) as well as other members of the programme Task Force, e.g. LTU, CFI experts, MAFAP and RAF experts. The Advisor will work in close collaboration with the relevant GoR partners, notably the HiHI focal point.

Technical Focus

The consultant is hired for 120 working days (WAE) running from 01 April 2022 to 30 November 2022. He/She will perform the following specific tasks:
•    Provide overall assistance to coordination, technical and organizational support to the country office HiHI activities notably including, strategic and operational planning, preparing a detailed roadmap, workplan, reporting including quarterly progress report- OKRs and ensuring regular communicating with the GoR, and the HiHI Task Force.
•    Facilitate discussions with the government counterparts in order to guarantee country ownership of the process
•    Support the finalization of targeted territories, which includes validation of the typologies and liaising with the government
•    Organize any additional analytical outputs that would be necessary to inform the Hand in Hand process
•    Assist in the donor mapping and identification of potential investment partners
•    Organize all consultative meetings that might be necessary to facilitate the formulation of investment opportunities in the country through dialogue/discussions/workshops with strategic stakeholders
•    Assist in the drafting of the investment plan that will serve to match resource partners with potential investment opportunities
•    Supply written material/presentations that may be required, including the drafting of a short HiHI Rwanda outreach document
•    Participate in regular meetings, including FAO task force and other task as required by the supervisor
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in Agriculture and related sciences, Rural development, Agri-economics, Food Science and Technology, Dairy and related Sciences;
•    At least 10 years of work experience at management level , preferable as policy maker;
•    Being a Rwandan or resident in the country with a work permit.
•    Working knowledge of English.
•    Knowledge of Kinyarwanda and/or French is an asset;

FAO Core Competencies
•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
•    At least ten (10) years’ recent experience in implementing Government policies and strategies along with food supply chain (farm to fork);
•    Evidence of experience in organizing and delivering training on advanced cheese manufacturing technology
•    Working experience with private sector, development partners/NGOs, UN agencies and FAO is an added advantage
•    Strong skills of Microsoft Office
•    Strong research and analytical skills with report writing skills;
•    The position requires high levels of pro-activeness, initiative, the ability to work under minimal supervision
•    Strong coordination capacity, networking and relationship building skills
•    Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
•    Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•    Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in multi-cultural environment;
•    Fulfils obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.