Individual Consultant: Support the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB)

Job Description

Background

Rwanda’s horticulture sector is increasingly recognized as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings. With its favorable agro-climatic conditions, expanding infrastructure for cold storage and logistics, and growing integration into regional and global markets, Rwanda is well-positioned to become a competitive player in the export of high-value horticultural products such as avocado, chili, macadamia, passion fruit, and vegetables. The Government of Rwanda, through the National Agricultural Export Development Strategy, Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5), and Vision 2050, has prioritized export diversification and increased value addition in horticulture to stimulate rural economies and generate decent employment—especially for youth.

Among the key actors in this transformation are youth-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives, which are emerging as vibrant players in Rwanda’s horticulture value chains. These enterprises and cooperatives, often founded by young people with entrepreneurial drive and innovative ideas, have the potential to increase productivity, stimulate rural innovation, and serve as catalysts for inclusive export growth. However, despite their potential, many youth-led SMEs and cooperatives struggle to access high-value export markets due to a range of systemic, technical, and institutional barriers.

Some of the main constraints limiting youth-led SMEs and cooperatives effectively participating in export markets include:

• Insufficient knowledge of export market requirements, including product standards, certifications (e.g., Global G.A.P., HACCP), traceability, and market-specific consumer preferences.
• Weak understanding of international trade procedures and documentation, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures, export permits, and quality assurance systems.
• Limited access to export readiness support, particularly in areas such as branding, labeling, packaging, and compliance with cold chain protocols.
• Inadequate market linkages, including limited relationships with export buyers, aggregators, and logistics service providers.
• Lack of targeted financial instruments and capital to invest in meeting export standards or scaling operations to fulfill international orders.
• Low institutional capacity, especially among cooperatives, in governance, contract management, and fulfilling export supply commitments.

To address these challenges, there is an urgent need for a structured Export Market Access Program (EMAP) that is tailored to the unique needs of youth-led SMEs and cooperatives in the horticulture sector. Such a program should equip them with the technical know-how, market intelligence, business development skills, and institutional support required to access and sustain participation in export markets. It should also align with Rwanda’s export development strategies and ensure that youth are not merely beneficiaries, but active stakeholders driving agri-export transformation.

The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), as the national agency responsible for coordinating and promoting agricultural exports, is strategically positioned to lead this effort. With technical support from this consultancy, NAEB seeks to design and pilot a youth-responsive Export Market Access Program (EMAP) that supports youth-led SMEs and cooperatives to become competitive actors in regional and international horticulture markets.

This intervention will support NAEB to:

• Develop a program framework and implementation roadmap.
• Identify market opportunities and value chain gaps.
• Build the capacity of youth-led cooperatives and SMEs on export requirements and compliance.
• Facilitate linkages with buyers and export networks.
• Promote inclusive participation of young women and underserved youth groups.
• Support NAEB and RICA to negotiate and secure favorable SPS requirements for Rwanda’s export products destined to premium niche markets in Europe, UK, India, South Asia, and the Middle East.

Objectives

General Objective

To support the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) to design and implement a comprehensive Export Market Access Program that builds the capacity of Rwanda’s youth-led SMEs and cooperatives in the horticulture sector to meet export requirements, access high-value markets, and participate competitively and sustainably in regional and international trade.

Specific Objectives

1. To assess the export readiness, capacity gaps, and market engagement constraints faced by youth-led SMEs and cooperatives operating in Rwanda’s horticulture value chains.

2. To co-design a structured Export Market Access Program (EMAP) tailored to the needs of youth-led horticulture enterprises and cooperatives.

3. To develop practical tools and training modules that enhance the capacity of youth-led SMEs and cooperatives on export standards, certifications, traceability systems, post-harvest handling, branding, packaging, and logistics.

4. To identify and map export market opportunities and buyer requirements for key horticultural commodities.

5. To facilitate linkages between youth-led cooperatives/SMEs and relevant export actors.

6. To promote gender and social inclusion by addressing the barriers faced by young women and marginalized youth.

7. To develop a monitoring and learning framework to track the effectiveness of the EMAP.

8. To provide recommendations for institutional anchoring, scale-up, and integration of the program within NAEB’s broader export promotion strategy.

9. To support NAEB and RICA in negotiating and securing favorable SPS requirements for Rwanda’s export products in premium markets.

Experience of the consultant in similar assignments

• At least 10 years of experience in policy research and analysis, particularly in agriculture and youth entrepreneurship.
• Proven expertise in conducting policy assessments and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of Rwanda’s agricultural policies and youth inclusivity challenges.
• Experience working with government agencies, development partners, and youth-focused organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing policy reforms and strengthening youth voice through advocacy and enhanced participation.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with experience in producing high-quality reports and policy briefs.

About the Organization

More information