International expert in Seed Business
Rwanda - Kigali
In view of the the further development of its activities the BTC is currently looking for an (m/f):
International Expert in Seed Business - Rwanda
Program for Support to the SPATII: Market oriented advisory services and quality seeds
Ref.: RWA/09/071-2B
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Duration of the contract: 46 months
Probable starting date: 2nd or 3rd trimester of 2011
Monthly salary package: between 5.427,63 euro and 7.788,38 euro (this includes the gross monthly salary and the expat benefits: hardship allowance and expat allowance). The salary is calculated, depending on the composition of the family and the number of years of relevant experience.
Project:
Introduction
The Rwanda government has adopted a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to stimulate agricultural development. To implement this sector wide approach a Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation has been developed in 2008 (SPAT II), which follows the SPAT I that was elaborated in 2004.
The Belgian Cooperation is supporting the government of Rwanda, and specifically MINAGRI in the achievement of the SPAT II objectives. Rather than developing separate projects, it was proposed to formulate one integrated programme, aiming at supporting the implementation of the SPAT II. The identified 4 priority areas for intervention are:
1. Support to the seed sector;
2. Support to the National Service of Agricultural Extension;
3. Support to animal health services;
4. Water in agriculture.
In close consultation with MINAGRI it was decided to focus a new support programme to SPAT II on seed sector support and agricultural advisory services. This will be done through a 5 years program and with a financial contribution from the Belgian Cooperation of 18 million Euros.
Agricultural Advisory Services in Rwanda
As a result of the 1994 genocide the national agricultural extension system had virtually disappeared. After the crisis NGOs and producer organizations started providing advisory services, while the government started rebuilding the public system. Currently the public extension system is largely implemented at the decentralized district level, supported by the agencies of MINAGRI. The MINAGRI agencies will be merged to improve collaboration between agricultural research and extension, and expertise will be relocated form the national level to 4 zonal offices.
SPAT II emphasizes the importance of the improved access and use of knowledge in the process of transforming agriculture in Rwanda. This should be achieved through the professionalization of farmers and their organizations and the development of effective technology generation and dissemination systems. The National Agricultural Extension Strategy developed under the PASNVA project recognizes that different actors such as public bodies, producer organizations, NGOs, agri-business and private bureaus play a role in the national extension system. The PASNVA project has piloted with district agricultural platforms, linked to the District Joint Action Development Forums, to coordinate agricultural extension initiatives, providing valuable insights for a new programme. Furthermore an Agricultural Communication and Information Center (CICA) was initiated in which MINAGRI bundles its capacity in this field. The Integrated Pest Management project has shown the effectiveness of the Farmer Field Schools method in the Rwandan context.
Finally the clients for agricultural advisory services are diverse, which means that also their needs for services are diverse. It is essential to consider the needs of different types of agricultural producers to assure all get access to the advisory service they require.
Seed supply services in Rwanda
A national seed policy has been elaborated and was published in October 2007. In the policy an important role is giving to private entrepreneurs in seed production and distribution, while the state will concentrate on regulation and quality control, and support the organization of seed producers and access to credit for seed production. The policy specifically recognizes the importance of formal certified seed production and informal seed production.
The AFSR project has contributed to the emergence of private seed multipliers, who produce certified seed for profit. Currently about 1,5% of the seed demand is met by certified seed. Mainly for grains such as maize, wheat and rice quality has become available and also the availability of certified seed potatoes has improved. In spite of the emerging private seed multipliers, the RADA seed unit plays a dominant role in seed production and distribution, while it is also responsible for quality control, certification, and capacity building of multipliers. The organization of seed multipliers (CC-AFSR) is in its infancy and depends on project support. Private seed treatment, packaging and storage capacity and a commercial distribution network for seeds are absent.
Implementation principles
The new programme will be fully embedded in and be executed as part of the activities of MINAGRI and contribute 100% to the objectives of SPAT II. It will align with the restructuring of MINAGRI and the decentralized governance model, giving responsibilities for programme execution to the zonal RAB offices and the districts respectively where executive power for these levels is foreseen by the governance structure of Rwanda.
The programme will be implemented countrywide aiming to improve agricultural advisory services and quality seed supply in the whole nation. To realistically aim for this the programme has limited its scope of activities, and will restrain from large investments in infrastructure. Furthermore it will seek to make use of all existing rural organizations that can contribute to building an improved agricultural advisory service system, rather than building its own structures up to the level of Umudugudu.
The programme will work from a demand driven principle. Specific emphasis is put on building the structures through which clients of advisory and seed supply services can better voice their needs, as well as their opinion of services received. Advisory services and seed supply services will be focusing on marketable crops providing income to farm households. Specific emphasis will be put to assure that both men and women and all asset classes receive the services they require.
The role of Technical Assistance, both long term and short term, will be focused on capacity strengthening and general quality improvement in the execution of MINAGRI programs. There where there are structural shortages of personnel the program will provide resources for MINAGRI to recruit, under the understanding that the staff will be employed on the recurring budget of MINAGRI by the programme end.
The ultimate objective of the programme is the building of durable systems of service delivery. System building is a process which cannot be achieved without reflection and adaptation of the intervention based on insights gained. The programme will pay ample attention to learning during the implementation, and adaptation of the intervention based on this learning.
The programme will focus on building of a large pool and network of non-public service providers. Furthermore it will invest in building the capacity in MINAGRI to constantly support this pool of service providers with up-to-date knowledge on didactics, technologies and business development tools. The CICA will be supported by the programme to become a coordinating and resource center in this regard, supporting the RAB zonal offices in their assistance of advisory service providers.
Function:
- Working under the overall authority of the BTC Resident representative and the direct authority of the project co manager;
- Support the transition of the Rwandan seed system from a public driven to a private sector driven system;
- Providing technical assistant and advise to MINAGRI implementing structure: Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB (Ex RADA and ISAR));
- Working in collaboration of the RAB Programme Contracting Manager.
Specific tasks:
- Support the transition of the seed production by RADA seed unit into a commercially run Rwanda Seed Enterprise;
- Advise in the development of business plans for private seed enterprises at different scales;
- Advise on the facilitation of the emergence of private seed distributors;
- Support the RAB seed chain managers in the development of crop specific seed strategies;
- Provide input into the CICA and RAB efforts to train seed multipliers;
- Supervise the studies of seed economics;
- Supervise and take a lead role in the matchmaking between seed entrepreneurs and credit suppliers.
Profile:
- MSc in seed technology with experience in seed business or MBA in agricultural business with experience in seed technology or equivalent through experience;
- At least five years of experience in supporting agricultural business development, preferably in Sub-Sahara Africa;
- Experience in setting up seed production enterprises, preferably in Sub-Sahara Africa;
- Experience in supporting the transition of public institutes into commercially run organizations;
- Experience in integrated seed system development;
- Flexible attitude, facilitation skills and working in multidisciplinary teams;
- Knowledge of English and French;
- Sensitivity for gender and gender mainstreaming processes, knowledge is a strong advantage.
Please apply not later than March 10th 2011, through our web site http://www.btcctb.org. Use our Standard CV and a letter of motivation to apply. You can find the model of our Standard CV on the page Jobs of our website. If you have any additional question, don’t hesitate to contact us at 02/505 18 65.
In view of the the further development of its activities the BTC is currently looking for an (m/f):
International Expert in Seed Business - Rwanda
Program for Support to the SPATII: Market oriented advisory services and quality seeds
Ref.: RWA/09/071-2B
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Duration of the contract: 46 months
Probable starting date: 2nd or 3rd trimester of 2011
Monthly salary package: between 5.427,63 euro and 7.788,38 euro (this includes the gross monthly salary and the expat benefits: hardship allowance and expat allowance). The salary is calculated, depending on the composition of the family and the number of years of relevant experience.
Project:
Introduction
The Rwanda government has adopted a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to stimulate agricultural development. To implement this sector wide approach a Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation has been developed in 2008 (SPAT II), which follows the SPAT I that was elaborated in 2004.
The Belgian Cooperation is supporting the government of Rwanda, and specifically MINAGRI in the achievement of the SPAT II objectives. Rather than developing separate projects, it was proposed to formulate one integrated programme, aiming at supporting the implementation of the SPAT II. The identified 4 priority areas for intervention are:
1. Support to the seed sector;
2. Support to the National Service of Agricultural Extension;
3. Support to animal health services;
4. Water in agriculture.
In close consultation with MINAGRI it was decided to focus a new support programme to SPAT II on seed sector support and agricultural advisory services. This will be done through a 5 years program and with a financial contribution from the Belgian Cooperation of 18 million Euros.
Agricultural Advisory Services in Rwanda
As a result of the 1994 genocide the national agricultural extension system had virtually disappeared. After the crisis NGOs and producer organizations started providing advisory services, while the government started rebuilding the public system. Currently the public extension system is largely implemented at the decentralized district level, supported by the agencies of MINAGRI. The MINAGRI agencies will be merged to improve collaboration between agricultural research and extension, and expertise will be relocated form the national level to 4 zonal offices.
SPAT II emphasizes the importance of the improved access and use of knowledge in the process of transforming agriculture in Rwanda. This should be achieved through the professionalization of farmers and their organizations and the development of effective technology generation and dissemination systems. The National Agricultural Extension Strategy developed under the PASNVA project recognizes that different actors such as public bodies, producer organizations, NGOs, agri-business and private bureaus play a role in the national extension system. The PASNVA project has piloted with district agricultural platforms, linked to the District Joint Action Development Forums, to coordinate agricultural extension initiatives, providing valuable insights for a new programme. Furthermore an Agricultural Communication and Information Center (CICA) was initiated in which MINAGRI bundles its capacity in this field. The Integrated Pest Management project has shown the effectiveness of the Farmer Field Schools method in the Rwandan context.
Finally the clients for agricultural advisory services are diverse, which means that also their needs for services are diverse. It is essential to consider the needs of different types of agricultural producers to assure all get access to the advisory service they require.
Seed supply services in Rwanda
A national seed policy has been elaborated and was published in October 2007. In the policy an important role is giving to private entrepreneurs in seed production and distribution, while the state will concentrate on regulation and quality control, and support the organization of seed producers and access to credit for seed production. The policy specifically recognizes the importance of formal certified seed production and informal seed production.
The AFSR project has contributed to the emergence of private seed multipliers, who produce certified seed for profit. Currently about 1,5% of the seed demand is met by certified seed. Mainly for grains such as maize, wheat and rice quality has become available and also the availability of certified seed potatoes has improved. In spite of the emerging private seed multipliers, the RADA seed unit plays a dominant role in seed production and distribution, while it is also responsible for quality control, certification, and capacity building of multipliers. The organization of seed multipliers (CC-AFSR) is in its infancy and depends on project support. Private seed treatment, packaging and storage capacity and a commercial distribution network for seeds are absent.
Implementation principles
The new programme will be fully embedded in and be executed as part of the activities of MINAGRI and contribute 100% to the objectives of SPAT II. It will align with the restructuring of MINAGRI and the decentralized governance model, giving responsibilities for programme execution to the zonal RAB offices and the districts respectively where executive power for these levels is foreseen by the governance structure of Rwanda.
The programme will be implemented countrywide aiming to improve agricultural advisory services and quality seed supply in the whole nation. To realistically aim for this the programme has limited its scope of activities, and will restrain from large investments in infrastructure. Furthermore it will seek to make use of all existing rural organizations that can contribute to building an improved agricultural advisory service system, rather than building its own structures up to the level of Umudugudu.
The programme will work from a demand driven principle. Specific emphasis is put on building the structures through which clients of advisory and seed supply services can better voice their needs, as well as their opinion of services received. Advisory services and seed supply services will be focusing on marketable crops providing income to farm households. Specific emphasis will be put to assure that both men and women and all asset classes receive the services they require.
The role of Technical Assistance, both long term and short term, will be focused on capacity strengthening and general quality improvement in the execution of MINAGRI programs. There where there are structural shortages of personnel the program will provide resources for MINAGRI to recruit, under the understanding that the staff will be employed on the recurring budget of MINAGRI by the programme end.
The ultimate objective of the programme is the building of durable systems of service delivery. System building is a process which cannot be achieved without reflection and adaptation of the intervention based on insights gained. The programme will pay ample attention to learning during the implementation, and adaptation of the intervention based on this learning.
The programme will focus on building of a large pool and network of non-public service providers. Furthermore it will invest in building the capacity in MINAGRI to constantly support this pool of service providers with up-to-date knowledge on didactics, technologies and business development tools. The CICA will be supported by the programme to become a coordinating and resource center in this regard, supporting the RAB zonal offices in their assistance of advisory service providers.
Function:
- Working under the overall authority of the BTC Resident representative and the direct authority of the project co manager;
- Support the transition of the Rwandan seed system from a public driven to a private sector driven system;
- Providing technical assistant and advise to MINAGRI implementing structure: Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB (Ex RADA and ISAR));
- Working in collaboration of the RAB Programme Contracting Manager.
Specific tasks:
- Support the transition of the seed production by RADA seed unit into a commercially run Rwanda Seed Enterprise;
- Advise in the development of business plans for private seed enterprises at different scales;
- Advise on the facilitation of the emergence of private seed distributors;
- Support the RAB seed chain managers in the development of crop specific seed strategies;
- Provide input into the CICA and RAB efforts to train seed multipliers;
- Supervise the studies of seed economics;
- Supervise and take a lead role in the matchmaking between seed entrepreneurs and credit suppliers.
Profile:
- MSc in seed technology with experience in seed business or MBA in agricultural business with experience in seed technology or equivalent through experience;
- At least five years of experience in supporting agricultural business development, preferably in Sub-Sahara Africa;
- Experience in setting up seed production enterprises, preferably in Sub-Sahara Africa;
- Experience in supporting the transition of public institutes into commercially run organizations;
- Experience in integrated seed system development;
- Flexible attitude, facilitation skills and working in multidisciplinary teams;
- Knowledge of English and French;
- Sensitivity for gender and gender mainstreaming processes, knowledge is a strong advantage.
How to apply
Interested?Please apply not later than March 10th 2011, through our web site http://www.btcctb.org. Use our Standard CV and a letter of motivation to apply. You can find the model of our Standard CV on the page Jobs of our website. If you have any additional question, don’t hesitate to contact us at 02/505 18 65.
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