Access to Markets Officer (YEAR Project)

Company Description

About SNV

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalyzing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

SNV Rwanda is recruiting is recruiting for an Access to Markets Officer based in Kigali, Rwanda.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: https://snv.org/

Job Description

SNV Rwanda is recruiting an Access to Markets Officer for a Master Card Foundation funded program focused on youth employment within agricultural value chains. The Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture – Rwanda (YEA-R) program aims to increase resilience and quality of life for young women, men and persons with disabilities through dignified, fulfilling, and equitable work opportunities. The Access to Markets Officer will support the Access to Markets Advisor to implement initiatives aimed at strengthening access to market opportunities for private sector businesses and cooperatives to improve employment prospects and economic opportunities for youth working in the horticulture and poultry value chains in Rwanda. He/she will be responsible for implementation of business-to-business (B2B) activities, facilitating micro-leasing and access to other financial products and services, and supporting the development of partnerships to enhance market access opportunities and foster sustainable growth of young agripreneuers.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Access to Market Advisor in identifying relevant companies and organizations in the horticultural and poultry value chains for collaboration to facilitate market linkages and partnership-building efforts.
• Assist in organizing B2B events to establish linkages with input suppliers, SACCOs, financial institutions, and other business and financial service providers.
• Facilitate discussions and negotiations between stakeholders to establish contract farming, supply arrangements, and other market access arrangements.
• Support private sector entities in refining business strategies and growth plans, and subsequently the implementation of business plans.
• Organize trainings, coaching, and mentoring programs for cooperatives and private sector businesses and agripreneurs to enhance leadership, business management skills, financial literacy, and market readiness.
• Support the development of micro-leasing programs and alternative financing mechanisms for cooperatives and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including linking them to financial service providers.
• Collect and report data on access to markets activities, including progress in business development initiatives, market linkages, and strengthening of cooperatives and private sector by the program.
• Work with the Market Access Advisor to evaluate the effectiveness of market access interventions and identify areas for improvement.
• Participate in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual reports and other program documents in accordance with SNV and donor guidelines and standards.
• Perform any other duties related to the program as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Agribusiness, Economics, Social Sciences or a related field.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in agribusiness, cooperative and private sector development, with a focus on market access and value chains.
• Knowledge of agricultural value chains, especially in horticulture and poultry, as well as good understanding of financial instruments such as micro-leasing and innovation funds.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with communities, private sector enterprises, civil society and government officials.
• Willingness to travel to remote areas in Rwanda on a regular basis.
• Proficiency in English & Kinyarwanda is required (written and spoken), while knowledge of basic French is an added advantage.
• Good computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Windows applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with other program staff and a diverse range of stakeholders, including project partners, communities, private sector actors and government officials.
• Strong analytical skills to identify and assess market trends, demand, and competitive landscapes which are key in working with stakeholders to design effective market entry strategies and position products to meet consumer needs.
• Demonstrates pro-activeness in identifying problems impeding market access, and finding solutions to underlying challenges

Additional Information

Terms of appointment:

• Contract Type: Full time, National Employment
• Duty Station: Kigali – Rwanda
• Reports to: Access to Markets Advisor
• Contract Type and Duration: Fixed Term. Two years with the possibility of extension based on performance

How to apply:

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation before December 27, 2024, CoB using the Smart Recruiters platform.

Application Link: Click here

Note: This is national position, so qualified Rwandan candidates are highly strongly encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV   

We offer a stimulating work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our team members benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org/careers.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

Shortlisting

Shortlisting and interviews will be done on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates are highly recommended to submit their applications as soon as they can. Only applicants fulfilling the above requirements will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within one month from the submission date of your application, consider your application unsuccessful.

Reference & vetting check
We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference. We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission.

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct“. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.