Job Opportunity – Access to Markets Advisor

WHY CHOOSE SNV

Stichting SNV Netherlands Development Organization is a global development partner working in more than 25 countries in Asia and Africa. In Rwanda, SNV has been working for more than 30 years to improve people’s livelihoods by strengthening the capacities of public and private sector organizations and catalyzing partnerships. It does so by contributing to the national development goals in three sectors: Agri-Food, Energy, and Water. SNV supports development in these sectors by working with the government, civil society, and private sector organizations.

JOB DESCRIPTION

SNV Rwanda is recruiting an experienced Access to Markets Advisor for an anticipated program focused on youth employment within agriculture 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 role will focus on strengthening access to market opportunities to improve employment prospects and economic opportunities for youth working in the horticulture and poultry value chains in Rwanda.

The Access to Markets Advisor will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening private sector businesses and cooperatives within the program. He/she will lead market access efforts from both the demand and supply side, with an emphasis on skill building, facilitating market linkages and fostering financial resilience among young agrirepreneurs to improve market knowledge, networks and business arrangements.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Contract Type: Full time, NationalEmployment
• Duty Station: Kigali – Rwanda
• Reports to: YEA-R Program Manager
• Direct Reports: Access to Markets Officer
• Contract Type and Duration: Two years with the possibility of extension based on performance
• AnticipatedStart Date: TBD

KEY TASKS

Market Access and Business Development

• Lead efforts to enhance market access by connecting young entrepreneurs with companies, service providers, and new and existing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) active in the horticulture and poultry value chains.
• Identify market opportunities and support youth and cooperatives in developing competitive business strategies to meet market demands.
• Guide the establishment of strategic partnerships with key players in the horticulture and poultry value chains, including private sector companies, financial institutions, and service providers.
• Facilitate the development and execution of business plans for private sector entities and cooperatives, with a focus on growth and sustainability.
• Promote inclusive business practices that address market access barriers and create opportunities for young people, particularly young women and persons with disabilities (PWD).
• Work with program partners to create a pipeline of youth agripreneurs in focus districts capable of accessing financial products and services outside the project.

Strengthening Cooperatives and Private Sector Engagement

• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to private sector entities, cooperatives, and young agripreneurs to strengthen their business operations.
• Forster networks of young agripreneurs, providing mentorship and technical support to young women and men to start and grow businesses on and off-farm.
• Enhance the skills of youth entrepreneurs in areas such as digital and financial literacy, marketing, sales, customer service, and business management.
• Support leadership development among young women and men, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in agripreneurship.
• Facilitate access to financial and non-financial resources, including micro-leasing, loans, and grants to enable youth-led businesses to grow and thrive.
• Support cooperatives and businesses to enhance legal compliance, governance, and improve supply chain practices, such as inventory management, logistics, and distribution strategies.
• Support the roll-out of business-to-business (B2B) activities, fostering collaboration and market engagement across target value chain actors that connect cooperatives and businesses with buyers, suppliers, and distributors.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in access to market development, cooperative and private sector development, business development, preferably within the agricultural sector.
• Proven expertise in developing and strengthening market linkages, facilitating partnerships, and supporting business-to-business activities.
• Experience working with cooperatives, MSMEs, or private sector companies, particularly in the horticulture and poultry value chains, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of local and regional markets in the targeted value chains.
• Track record in providing training, coaching, and mentoring, with a demonstrated ability to support youth entrepreneurs.
• 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 engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including project partners, young entrepreneurs, and private sector actors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify market opportunities and propose viable solutions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a proactive approach to achieving the goals of the YEA-R program.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track and assess progress in enhancing market access and promoting youth economic empowerment.

HOW TO APPLY

The application file containing the following documents should be consolidated in one PDF file & submitted to the Country Director via our recruitment portal - via Smart Recruiters at https://smrtr.io/nL96c , no later than November 23, 2024.

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

The application file includes a motivation letter and an updated CV which has 3 professional references, including current and previous direct supervisors with their full names, phone numbers and email addresses.

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.

WORKING AT SNV

SNV is a great place to work and prides itself in its comprehensive benefits package. We offer competitive salaries and a dynamic inclusive work environment.

SNVis proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and requires affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. This is also to include inquiries about, disclosing, or discussing their compensation or the compensation of other applicants or employees.

SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

VETTING

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.  

DATA PROTECTION ASSURANCE

SNV will not retain your personal data for longer than is allowed by law or is necessary for the Purposes.

If you are selected and offered employment, the personal data you have provided will be used by SNV for the purpose of human resource management and administration. If you are unsuccessful on this occasion to secure employment with SNV, SNV will retain your personal data for one (1) year for the purpose of considering you for other suitable positions as and when they arise. If you do not wish to be considered for other suitable positions by SNV, please indicate accordingly in the acknowledgment section.