Rwanda: Embedded Advisor in Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

Sep 8, 2014 | Crown Agents
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The goal of USAID Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth Project (PSDAG) is to increase smallholder incomes by promoting private sector investments– internationally and domestically - that contribute to the Government of Rwanda’s (GoR’s) Vision 2020 aim of “transforming agriculture into a market-oriented, competitive, and high value sector.” PSDAG has two primary objectives:

1. Assist the GoR to Increase Private Sector Investment
2. Facilitate Increased Private Sector Investment in Upgrading Agricultural Value Chains

PSDAG will support GoR agencies involved in investment promotion by facilitating the transition that the government envisions for itself - as demonstrated through government agency policies - from that of direct agriculture investor to a role of regulator and facilitator. PSDAG will also build private sector capacity and facilitate expanded investments for existing and new private sector entities. PSDAG envisions creating a virtuous feedback loop where a robust private sector is investing in markets and producers for continual upgrading, while the government is creating the enabling environment for this upgrading to occur.

Under the supervision of the Senior Policy and Institutional Development Specialist the Embedded Investment Advisor (EIA)/Rwanda Development Board (RDB) will work collegially with the EAI/Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the Policy Support/Public Private Dialogue (PS/PPD) Advisor and other PSDAG team members in contributing to achievement of PSDAG Development Objective 1: To assist the Government of Rwanda to increase private sector investment.

Achieving Development Objective 1 will require development of a GoR agriculture and agribusiness investment framework. The framework will define GoR agency roles and responsibilities with a priority focus on the MINAGRI, RDB and Ministry of Commerce (MINICOM). Additional support will be provided to other national and provincial government agencies when appropriate. The framework’s overall intent is to structure and develop GoR capacity to attract and support successful private investment in agriculture and agribusiness. The investment framework will also contribute to an improved business enabling environment that reflects frequent and informed public and private sector dialogue.

Our Business

Crown Agents is an international development company employing over 600 personnel worldwide with a presence in more than 40 countries, subsidiaries in 12 countries, and permanent staff working on the ground in 22 corporate offices in Africa, Asia Latin America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  Crown Agents provides direct assistance, management consulting, and human and institutional development for public and private sector clients in customs and trade facilitation, public financial management, procurement, logistics, and health systems strengthening. 

Crown Agents USA (CA-USA), the U.S. incorporated subsidiary of Crown Agents, provides direct technical assistance, capacity development, and procurement services  to stimulate economic growth, establish good governance, and improve health outcomes across the developing world.  Since its incorporation in the United States in 1998, CA-USA has provided technical assistance services and support to U.S. Government agencies and international organizations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Department of State (DOS), and the Gates Foundation.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide input into PSDAG contributions to and support of GoR development and implementation of a private sector agriculture and agribusiness investment framework. Ensure that the investment framework reflects RDB agricultural and private sector development mandates, priorities and policies.

• Lead PSDAG contributions that enhance dialogue and interaction between RDB and national and international agribusiness investment stakeholders. Provide effective support to RDB development and implementation of agricultural development and agribusiness investment promotion strategies and mandates.
• Lead coordination and collaboration with RDB stakeholders to formally define and agree upon their investment framework roles, responsibilities, procedures and time frames. Focus coordination and collaboration on RDB offices or staff with agricultural development and agribusiness investment promotion mandates.
• Lead PSDAG creation and implementation of an RDB capacity development strategy. The strategy’s objective will be to strengthen the investment promotion capacity of RDB and affiliated national and provincial level agencies.
• Provide input into PSDAG contributions to the publication of a GoR approved investment framework to guide public and private sector efforts to increase investment in agriculture and agribusiness. Inputs should reflect RDB mandates, priorities, policies and personnel capacities.
• Lead PSDAG support to the incorporation of the investment framework into RDB and affiliated national and provincial agency agriculture and agribusiness investment promotion policies, guidelines, and implementation plans.
• Contribute to PSDAG identification, evaluation and pursuit of strategic and operational partnering opportunities with RDB agencies, private firms, donor agencies and donor funded projects and activities in achieving PSDAG objectives. 
• Provide input to Development Objective 1 team contributions to annual work plans; monthly, quarterly and annual reports; discreet analytical documents; performance monitoring; presentations; success stories; and other strategic and operational reporting. When appropriate contribute to the development of short term technical assistance terms of reference.
• Under the Senior Policy and Institutional Development Specialist’s supervision work collegially and productively with the MINAGRI EIA and PS/PPD Advisor to achieve PSD-AG objectives. Proactively identify and take advantage of team capacity building and knowledge management opportunities to enhance PSDAG and Rwandan agriculture and agribusiness investment promotion performance.
• Successfully represent PSDAG to RDB officials, RDB stakeholders and USAID/Rwanda when appropriate.
• Contribute to PSDAG Development Objective 1 team efforts to ensure that all project activities meet minimum project social inclusion requirements.
• Participate in annual staff performance reviews that identify performance strengths and weaknesses and recommend professional development activities.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Senior Policy and Institutional Development Specialist or PSDAG Chief of Party. 

Qualifications

• Degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Quantitative Social Science, Agribusiness, Business Administration or other relevant degree is required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural development and trade; agricultural or agribusiness finance; SME development or business association capacity building; Investment planning or framework development experience is highly desirable.
• Experience working productively with RDB or similar GoR agency capacity building or change management is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in policy reform process facilitation, public-private dialogue, and development stakeholder coalition building.
• Experience supporting the private sector’s role in agricultural and economic development and growth is desirable.
• Experience working with and knowledge of agricultural development, agriculture sector strategies, policy issues and investment planning in Africa is desirable.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills are required.

Application Process

To apply to this position, please email your CV to careers@crownagents.com.  Include your name, along with  “14-23K Embedded Advisor, RDB”, in the subject line.  Visit our website at www.crownagents.com for more information about our company. No phone calls, faxes or walk-ins please.  Crown Agents USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and affords equal opportunity to all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other status protected under local, state or federal laws.

Crown Agents USA will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualified disabilities in accordance with the ADA. If you require a reasonable accommodation for our application process, please contact our Recruiting department directly. Requests will be kept confidential and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis only.