Advisor (Agronomist REALMS Project)

Advisor (Agronomist REALMS Project

• Kigali, Rwanda
• Contract
• Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, SNV has built a long-term, local presence in 30 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses, and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty, and guide their own development. Currently implementing 25 horticulture projects worldwide, SNV actively engages with the private sector, being convinced of the crucial role the private sector has in furthering horticulture value chains for both domestic and international markets. SNV’s Inclusive business approach combines private sector development with inclusive growth objectives. Reducing food losses and increasing value chain efficiencies, improving food safety, the inclusion of entrepreneurial smallholders, climate-smart agriculture, and other themes play an important role in all our horticulture projects.

Job Description

SNV is seeking an experienced professional agronomist with expertise in areas of conservation agriculture, agro ecology, soil conservation, and climate smart agricultural practices. The position holder will be responsible for guiding the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices by farmers and agro-enterprises. S/he will coordinate with the project team and partners to contribute to analysis that will identify and stimulate investments for effective regenerative production systems. S/he will provide support to SMEs and farmer groups/cooperatives on the most appropriate climate integration strategies, which enhance income of producers and agribusinesses. The incumbent will contribute to the joint learning of smallholder producers agro-enterprises adoption of regenerative agriculture.

Key Activities

Advisory Services

• Co-design regenerative agriculture interventions based on farming systems approaches and farmer typology and profiling as well as agro-ecological zones.
• Identify and analyze the barriers for the uptake of regenerative and circular agricultural technologies and formulate recommendations to farmers, SME’s, financial institutions, and government at national and local levels.

Results / KPI’s

Highest possible level of quality in development projects is reached. Projects are supported by given advise.

Knowledge Development

• Build capacity of extension providers and farmers through training, coaching, and mentorship to catalyse the adoption of regenerative agriculture production.
• Participate in the value chains and climate risk assessments of prioritized commodities (Horticulture, Irish potatoes, fodder crops).
• Coordinate the provision of tailor made information to producers and SME’s on crop suitability, climate risks, and cost-effectiveness/viability of interventions.

Results / KPI’s

Enhanced and innovative knowledge levels are reached and shared both internally as externally.

Project and Process Development

Contribute to the creation of policies that support uptake and scale-up of regenerative and circular agricultural production practices at national and local levels

Results / KPI’s

Continuous improvement of effectiveness and efficiency of operations.

People Management

• Steers direct reports and coaches associated partners/ external stakeholders on quality within the project assignments.
• Acts as a technical expert in the content area, apply process improvements in projects, and coaches colleagues and associated partners both professionally as operationally on quality of context within projects.

Results / KPI’s

SNV and local staff is qualified and motivated

Positioning

• Identifies and analyses market opportunities and threats and ensures project colleagues are informed.
• Actively participates in strategic positioning meetings and acts as a knowledgeable face of the SNV organization.
• Analyses understands, and develop (local) networks with relevant stakeholders.

Results / KPI’s

Opportunities are timely utilized and threats are timely recognized and countered.

Business Development

• Builds, maintains, and utilizes relationships with relevant stakeholders, –Represents SNV and identifies opportunities for Business Development policies and procedures.
• Initiates assignments on a national level supports proposals and develop technical processes during the inception phase of projects.

Results / KPI’s;

SNV is known as trusted development partner with relevant stakeholders and has an overview of all funding opportunities/partnerships.

Know How; Grounded technical and/or thematic professional understanding of the core project activities and thematic areas.

Complexity; Work generally follows well-defined and established procedures and patterns. Reviews in progress and at completion. Occurring problems are either solved based on guidelines or in consultation with senior colleagues.

Supervision; Work is supervised, procedures, and work instructions provided. Job identifies any conflicts with procedures and consults supervisor or senior colleagues on these.

Impact; Indirect impact through the provision of activities that require financial proficiency and support.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• At least a Bachelors, and preferably a Masters level qualification Horticulture, Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil, and Water Sciences, or related field from a recognized university.
• Minimum experience of 8 years in the promotion of conservation agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, and soil and water conservation.
• Bachelor degree in specialized/ relevant technical field and (4 to 5 years) experience in development work and project implementation
• Knowledge of technical aspects of prioritized commodities (Horticulture, potatoes, and fodder) and farming systems in Rwanda;
• Experience working with farmers and agro-enterprises with special attention to gender integration and social inclusivity approaches.
• Must possess a strong understanding of group development processes and facilitation skills, including developing and delivering training and group consensus building.
• Basic knowledge on principles of regenerative and circular agriculture production is an advantage.
• Familiarity with results chains and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. technical field

Problem Analysis

The ability to detect problems, recognise important information, and link various data to trace potential causes and look for relevant details.

Communication

Ability to communicate in English both orally and written.

Focus on Quality

Setting high-quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.

Result Orientation

The ability to take direct action in order to attain or exceed objectives.

Perseverance

The ability to hold on to views and plans of action despite adversity.

Additional Information

Application documents should be submitted not later than Monday September 25, 2020 at 17:00 hrs Kigali time

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.