Market Manager

Terms of Reference

MARKET MANAGER – Rwanda

PROJECT OVERVIEW

CASA is an FCDO funded programme driving global investment for inclusive climate-resilient agri-food systems that increase smallholder incomes. CASA makes the case to impact and return-oriented investors for increased investment in agribusinesses that work with smallholder supply chains. The programme achieves this goal by:

• Demonstrating the commercial viability and investment-readiness of small and medium-sized (SME) agribusinesses with significant smallholder supply chains
• Helping investors to increase the impact of their investments through the provision of inclusive technical assistance.
• Strengthening the socio-legal empowerment of smallholders within value chains
• Tackling the information and evidence gaps holding back investment

For demonstrating the commercial and development potential of smallholder sourcing models, CASA focuses on catalytic interventions in the agriculture sectors of Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal and Rwanda that support agri-SMEs prepare for and secure investment while connecting smallholders to commercial markets.

CASA’s work on research and communications is structured around identifying constraints, opportunities and addressing evidence gaps through research; shaping the debate on smallholder agriculture to influence actions of investors, governments, and donors; and creating networking opportunities through events and stakeholder engagement.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The responsibility of the Market Manager – CASA project Rwanda is to lead market systems analysis and identify entry points for CASA interventions in the Poultry value chain and others (based on demand), with particular focus on supporting SMEs to integrate smallholders in their supply chains and building smallholder resilience to climate change, as well as addressing other crosscutting issues such a food and nutrition security, gender equity and social inclusion, environment, in line with the strategic plan for the CASA Rwanda Country Intervention and the Inclusive Growth Strategy for the Sector. The Market Manager is responsible for utilising this analysis for the identification of potential partners, deal making, development and submission of concept notes, business plans, and relevant annexes, as well as the development of the Sub-Award Agreements, and managing the implementation of these project partnerships. The Market Manager is also responsible for helping with Learning and Communications, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning activities as required. The Market Manager reports to the Country Intervention Manager^[1].

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Oversight

• Ensuring that interventions under the portfolio adhere to the overall strategy, goals, and results of CASA, and particularly the Rwanda Poultry Inclusive Growth Strategy, including mainstreaming Climate Change and Environment, Food and Nutrition Security and Gender and Social Inclusion. Proactively monitor overall progress of the portfolio, adjusting intervention strategies and partnership plans where required.
• Ensure the portfolio delivers good results and Value for Money (VfM).

Project Planning, Development, and Implementation

• Managing assigned project partnerships including delivery of planned activities in line with the agreed work plans and budgets.
• Developing detailed intervention and partnership workplans as required to guide the work of the Portfolio: ensuring that activities are delivered on time (whilst recognising that certain activities are dependent on the pace of change of CASA’s partners).
• Assisting the other Market Manager(s) with the development of project partnerships, Concept Notes, Business Plans, and Sub-Award agreements as required.
• Preparation and management of partnership intervention budgets together with the Country Intervention Manager.
• Ensuring that activities under project partnerships are delivered on time and on budget.
• Contributing to the monitoring and evaluation of sectoral and country level inputs, as required.

Project Partnership Management

• Ongoing Management and Coordination of assigned Project Partnerships
• Identifying key technical needs and ensure delivery of the right assistance to partners and other VC actors for successful implementation of project/business case:
• Identifying consultant input requirements in good time to allow the Programme Manager to make the necessary logistical and contractual arrangements.
• Developing ToRs for Short Term Technical Experts and Co-facilitators for the relevant projects that you are managing.
• Identifying appropriate consultants for project work as needed.
• Selecting experts utilising a competitive process in line with the SOPs and ensuring that scoring is captured in a scoring matrix.
• Assisting with the development and preparation of contracts for STTAs.
• Conducting briefing and de-briefing sessions at the start and end of the assignment.
• Linking short term consultants to relevant in-country sectoral stakeholders and planning and arranging meetings as required.
• Managing STTAs and ensuring quality control timeliness and quality on consultant and co-facilitator inputs and outputs and providing feedback to the Country Manager on their performance.
• Reviewing timesheets of experts for accuracy and approving them.
• Partnership Grant Management:
• Reviewing initial payment triggers and modes of verification for all grant disbursement requests.
• Submitting grant disbursement requests to the Deputy Team Leader/Finance and Programme Coordinator for approval, in conjunction with the processes outlined in the Sub-Award Manual.
• Ensuring timely disbursement of committed/agreed grant amount following approvals and the filing of all financial documents.

Reporting and Administration

• Regular provision of the Portfolio’s information/data to the rest of the CASA team, including through Weekly, Bi-Weekly and Quarterly Progress Reports amongst others.
• Maintain accurate and complete database records on the Poultry projects portfolio.
• Manage and inform the Country Manager of evolving in-country risks.
• Support with tracking project risks and advise on mitigation measures using the adaptive learning approach.
• Timely submission of monthly timesheets and other documentation.

Research, Learning and Communications

• Provide advice to the Country Manager on opportunities to deliver research, learning and communications work, including the identification of case studies, learning and research topics, to be shared with Component C.
• Stay up to date with sector updates and analyse implications for the portfolio, and factor this into strategy and decision making.
• Facilitate cross learning from other sector players for the improvement of CASA programme delivery and represent CASA in relevant stakeholder forums.
• Support delivery of effective learning and communications materials to key stakeholders in conjunction with CASA’s communications team, including sharing of field success stories.

Other Responsibilities

• Support other tasks where requested by the Country Intervention Manager, Team Leader, and Deputy Team Leader.

Expected Qualifications

• Significant Experience of working in the Agriculture Sector in Country with strong network preferably in the poultry Value Chain.
• Preferred experience in supporting businesses to access finance or at least some experience in the finance/investment sector
• Good knowledge and understanding of Value Chains, preferably in the selected value chain.
• Significant experience of working with SMEs and Producer Organisations, providing strengthening and capacity building services.
• Strong experience of scoping, developing, and implementing targeted support projects, preferably with agriculture Small and Medium Enterprises and/or Produce Organisations.
• Experience with managing portfolios of projects or interventions.
• Experience with Market Systems Development and/or Value Chain Development.
• Good relationship building skills, networking skills, and partner and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Management Skills.
• Excellent Report Writing Skills.
• Ability to strategize and focus on the overall and overarching goals and objectives, as well as specific targets.
• Ability to be results-focused, and able to manage and deliver results.
• Able to work independently and be proactive.
• Strong English Language Skills both Spoken and Written, in addition to fluency in Kinyarwanda.
• Experience dealing with donor organisations and the development sector in general.
• Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

KEY DELIVERABLES and KPIs

On a Monthly Basis

• CASA Rwanda Country Intervention Budget, updated with the most up to date actuals and forecasts for all partnerships under the Market Manager’s responsibility.
• CASA Rwanda Country Intervention Budget, updated with the most up to date planning and scheduling of activities.
• STTAs mobilised and Grants disbursed in line with their project workplans.

Other deliverables will be determined on a quarterly basis and reflected in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

KPIs will be produced, against which performance will be measured on an annual basis during an appraisal process.

Other specific deliverables will be added to the final version of this contract which will form part of the contract.

DURATION: Full time fixed term staff member. Start Date: 25^th November 2024; End Date: 31^st March 2025 with likelihood of extension to 31^st March 2026.

Application email: rw_info@swisscontact.org 

Deadline: November 10th, 2024

[1] While CASA reporting lines are described in the ToR, all CASA staff are ultimately responsible to Swisscontact.