TechnoServe

About TechnoServe:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Description

The Rwanda Ikawa Nziza Cyane (INC) project seeks to equip coffee washing stations (CWS), exporters, and government agencies with new tools, strategies, and policies to drive greater efficiencies and unlock new market opportunities in specialty coffee. Funded by the European Union in conjunction with Rwanda’s MINECOFIN, the Rwanda INC project will run for 4 years beginning in November, 2020. Some of the primary project components include (1) digital tools for CWS business management and farm extension monitoring; (2) new mechanisms for input financing and distribution (e.g., fertilizer, lime, new varieties); and (3) a strengthened coffee value chain through industry briefs, strategies, and proposed quality standards for uptake by government and exporters. 

Job Summary:

TechnoServe seeks a Business Advisor: Digital Farm and CWS Support to support the successful implementation of Rwanda INC’s ambitious impact agenda. This role will provide technical and advisory support to extension agents, CWS managers, exporters, and allies throughout the value chain to create value for farmers and coffee businesses, alike. This position will be a fixed term contract running through the end of 2024.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Engage CWS and cooperative leadership in identifying challenges associated with farm records, farmer extension services, CWS operations, business planning and strategy, and general management.
• Work with the TechnoServe Digital Specialist to identify and assess relevant tools and technologies delivering value to farmers, cooperative leadership, CWS managers, exporters, and government agencies.
• Co-design and support the roll out of relevant digital tools to enable (1) enhanced extension services monitoring and management; and (2) improved business analytics for management and reporting.
• Lead training sessions for all interested players (e.g., exporters, CWS, youth sustainability interns) for a menu of digital tools.
• Manage subsequent follow-up, trouble-shooting support, and ongoing enhancements of the digital offerings.
• Support development, buy-in and roll-out of minimum quality and sustainability standards for Rwandan coffee. Work with CWS, exporters, training partners, and relevant regulatory bodies to enable a system of audits.
• Support the development and roll-out of new input sales and distribution models.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, business, or a related field.
• At least three years’ professional experience in one or more of the following areas: agriculture, small and medium enterprise development, project management, community development
• Strong project management and financial analysis skills.
• Experience providing technical training and support in related field.
• Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Technical skills required to do this job. 
• Strong planning abilities; prior experience working to tight and strict deadlines

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Familiarity with coffee value chain actors (especially coffee washing stations)
• Comfortable translating data analysis into business insights
• Familiarity with ICT tools
• Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations that require minimal supervision. 
• Strong networking skills

Required Languages 

• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English preferred 

Travel 

• Ability to travel to remote rural locations. 
• 100% Domestic 

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.