Chief of Party – Dutch Embassy Value Chain Project, Rwanda

Job Description

Overview:

IFDC is a nonprofit, science-based organization working to alleviate global hunger and poverty by improving sustainable agricultural productivity. The organization was established in 1974 in response to the twin crises of food insecurity and rising energy prices. IFDC is governed by an international board of directors and supported by bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, private enterprises and foundations and Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA.

IFDC enables smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase agricultural productivity, generate economic growth, and practice environmental stewardship by enhancing their ability to manage mineral and organic fertilizers responsibly and participate profitably in input and output markets.

IFDC is seeking suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated Value Chain Project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) Rwanda.

Job Description:

The Value Chain Project is anticipated to start in 2017 and will seek to improve market engagement for market-oriented farmers, strengthen household resilience, and increase availability of agricultural services for farmers and businesses in select value chains, which are of strategic importance to both the Government of Rwanda and EKN. Working in select districts of Rwanda, the project will help rural smallholders move from subsistence farming to commercial farming and supply agricultural products for local, national, regional and international markets. The project will partner with national and multinational agro-food companies as drivers to increase productivity and to improve efficiency and sustainability of supported value chains. The project is anticipated to run between 4 and 5 years, with a total budget of about Euros 20 million.

The COP is in charge of the overall project management including, sub-contracting, and financial and human resources management. The suitable candidate will have the necessary vision and strategic thinking, demonstrating the leadership qualities needed in such a role.

The candidate should be sensitive to cultural differences and be an excellent communicator. The candidate will have the ability to bring together national and international staff with different scientific disciplines to work as a team.

The COP will report to the IFDC Regional office in Nairobi and will likely be based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Required Skills:

The successful applicant will have the following qualifications and experience:

• Advanced degree in an agricultural development related subject, and at least 10 years relevant international experience, especially in the East African region
• Proven ability to manage large and complex teams implementing donor funded projects of at least 15 million euros (or equivalent), working in a multi-cultural environment
• A proven leader, with both the commercial and technical skills required to deal with both public and private sectors, and a background in input supply and output markets an added advantage
• Prior experience in agricultural intensification and a market-driven development approach;
• Ability to manage relationships with subcontractors and consultants and take full responsibility for the budget, keeping on track with the annual work-plan, as well as timely and accurate reporting to the donor.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. French language skills preferrable
• Prior experience with Dutch-Funded development programs is an added advantage

Profile:

• Strong team player, inspirational supervisor and excellent leader;
• Willingness to travel at least 10 days per month in country and in the region;
• Willing and able to think out of the box when it comes to agricultural and market innovation;
• Maturity and responsibility to act as representative of IFDC;
• Committed and goal oriented.

About the Organization

The Organization:

Since 1974, IFDC has focused on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in over 100 developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

www.IFDC.org