Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist at J.E. Austin Associates, Inc: (Deadline 14 June 2024)

Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist at J.E. Austin Associates, Inc: (Deadline 14 June 2024)

Terms of Reference

TITLE: Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 year (with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability)

LOCATION: Kigali- Rwanda at the Feed the Future Rwanda Kungahara Wagura Amasoko

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Rwanda’s Economic Growth Office, through the Feed the Future Rwanda Kungahara Wagura Amasoko supports Rwanda’s efforts to boost economic growth inclusively and sustainably by increasing the export of high-value agricultural products. Targeted high-value agricultural value chains include coffee, tea, horticulture and spices, livestock products (dairy and hides), and other emerging value chains (e.g., stevia, essential oils) within the districts of Bugesera, Kayonza, Ngoma, Gatsibo, Burera, Gakenke, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu.

Using a market systems approach, Kungahara Wagura Amasoko works with and through the Government of Rwanda (GOR), the private sector and civil society organizations to achieve the above goal by implementing the two following strategic objectives: (i) facilitate inclusive and resilience-focused policy reforms that promote agricultural export growth using evidence-based analysis and strengthen advocacy capacity of the private sector organizations, and (ii) support local actors (government and private sector) to attract, mobilize and direct public and private financing resources and/or investment towards increased agriculture and food exports. J.E. Austin Associates, Inc (JAA) is a subcontractor to RTI International leading objective 1.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist is part of the team that is implementing Objective 1 (Facilitate inclusive and resilience-focused policy reforms that promote agricultural export growth using evidence-based analysis and strengthened advocacy capacity of the private sector organizations). This position will be responsible for understanding how public policies and practices affect high value agriculture export promotion and investment schemes and the overall agri-business climate in Rwanda through identifying policy constraints affecting the agriculture export industry, access to finance and investment. The successful candidate will collaborate with GOR institutions and private sector actors including exporters, business associations, financial sector players, as well as women, youth and persons with disabilities groups to increase their capacities to improve the enabling environment for increased competitiveness of domestic and high value agriculture export commodities. The Senior Enabling Environment Specialist will identify barriers to Rwanda’s high value agriculture exports and issues that require policy, legal and regulatory reforms in order to improve enabling business environment. The role of the Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist is to design or redesign policies which make the entire export, business enabling environment and private sector investment process more effective, efficient and more competitive.

In addition to specific project responsibilities, the Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist will provide technical assistance and strategic advice for high value agriculture business enabling environment and policy and institutional development issues for the duration of the project. S/he will also manage the project’s enabling environment and policy STTA staff and consultants.

The Senior Policy Enabling Environment Specialist will report to the Deputy Chief of Party.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with project government and private sector partners to identify, prioritize and analyse gaps in existing policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures that are constraining agriculture exports.
• Assist reforms in policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures related to agriculture exports through project activities to provide technical assistance to government and private sector partners.
• Strengthen the institutional capacity of GOR institutions to modernize the regulatory and policy environment and improve implementation of policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures to promote investment and increase high value agriculture exports.
• Support the implementation of legal and regulatory reforms in the areas of trade, access to private land, tax, foreign direct investment, public private partnership, certification system, environmental regulations, and economic resilience.
• Strengthen the advocacy capacity of the private sector associations/organizations to lead the dialogue process, gather evidence, analyse data to build evidence for policy recommendations, and advocate for reform on behalf of their members.
• Strengthen Agri-PPD platforms to generate evidence-based policy through active participation of private sector organizations.
• Manage short term consultants as assigned by Deputy Chief of Party.
• Develop project reports and other written reports, communications, and materials.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• A master’s degree in a relevant field of study such as policy development, rural and agricultural development, agricultural economics, agribusiness and/ or development economics, and social science or related field.
• At least eight years of progressively increasing responsibility in managing diverse teams and operational functions including policy development and reforms facilitation, national public-private partnerships development, and adaptive programming for activities of similar scope, size and complexity or
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study such as policy development, rural and agricultural development, agricultural economics, agribusiness and/ or development economics, and social science or related field. At least ten years of progressively increasing responsibility in managing diverse teams and operational functions including policy development and reforms facilitation, national public-private partnerships development, and adaptive programming for activities of similar scope, size and complexity. Demonstrated experience in creating and maintaining effective working relations with government officials, private sector umbrella organizations, stakeholders and local CSOs.
• At least five years of experience working in related fields in Rwanda.
• Rwanda citizenship, with knowledge of Kinyarwanda as well as in-depth knowledge of the local operating environment in Rwanda.

Duration and Location: This is a full-time position based in Kungahara Wagura Amasoko, Rwanda. The initial contract duration is 1 year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should send their CVs and Cover Letter to to Adedasola Adeniyi at aadeniyi@jeaustin.com by June 14^th, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates are highly encouraged to apply ahead of the deadline.