Program Assistant - Horticulture Value Chain Development

Job Advert – Program Assistant - Horticulture Value Chain Development.

Kilimo Trust (KT) not-for-profit organization working on agriculture and agribusiness for development and creation of employment opportunities across the East Africa Community (EAC) – in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. Our Mission is to make agri-business a transformative tool for wealth creation, food, and nutrition security for communities in East Africa. Our core services include:

  • Creating employment opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other actors in agribusiness.
  • Markets and value chain studies.
  • Creating linkages between smallholder farmers and market offtakers.
  • Customised training to agricultural value chain actors for sustainable access to input and output markets.
  • Workforce development for agro-industries through technical and entrepreneurial training, work-based learning, and internships/ apprenticeships to build core and soft skills required in agribusiness.

Kilimo Trust is seeking to hire a Program Assistant to provide agronomic services and value chain development support to farmers and other actors in avocado and chili value chains under the Inclusive Services delivery for Employment Creation (ISEC) project. ISEC is a 3-year project (2024-2027) implemented in Rwanda by Kilimo Trust Rwanda with funding from AGRA to create new jobs and opportunities for youth in avocado and chili value chains.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title

Program Assistant - Horticulture Value Chain Development (01) Position

Program

Inclusive Services Delivery for Employment Creation (ISEC) Project

Job Grade

KT5

Reports To

Program Officer-Value Chain Development

Employment Category

Contract

Duty Station

Kilimo Trust Rwanda - Field office (outside Kigali)

Responsibilities:

  • Support farmers’ access to innovative solutions/ services in primary production, post-harvest handling, and value addition/processing of avocado and chili value chains.
  • Support engagement of youth as service providers in avocado and chili value chains and link them to farmers, companies, and other value chain actors.
  • Work with the project team to undertake analysis of existing service delivery opportunities for youth in avocado and chili value chains.
  • Undertake technical and entrepreneurial training for youths, farmers, and other value chain actors to take advantage of identified opportunities in avocado and chili value chains.
  • Support formation or strengthening of cooperatives and enterprises of youth, smallholder farmers, and other actors in avocado and chili value chains in primary production, post-harvest handling, value addition/processing, and services delivery.
  • Support establishment of services centers to link youth innovations/ services to surrounding farming communities.
  • Undertake mentorship and coaching of youth enterprises and startups to ensure compliance with quality standards, tax regulations, human resources, and contract with buyers / clients.
  • Create linkages between supported youth and others value chain actors (buyers/offtakers, financial institution, processors and providers of innovative technologies and services).
  • Strengthen platforms of avocados and chili value chains.
  • Organise seasonal planning meetings between smallholder farmers, buyers, input suppliers, and providers of other services for coordinated production and supply.
  • Ensure timely reporting of project activities in adherence to the work plan.
  • Monitor and report performance of the project per set indicators.
  • Prepare progress reports and document lessons from project implementation.

Educational Qualifications and Experience Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in agriculture with specialization in horticulture, crops production, agribusiness or relevant qualification.
  • At least three (3) years of practical experience working with youth, smallholders farmers, cooperatives, input providers, technology services in agribusiness, or other relevant partners in agriculture value chains.
  • Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement.
  • Practical experience in implementation of agricultural development projects.
  • Advanced oral and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
  • Ability to work from a field office outside Kigali.

How to Apply

If you are the right candidate, please send your application letter plus the following:

  • An up-to-date CV, highlighting relevant skills and experience (presented in relation to responsibilities and experience areas listed above).
  • Full names and contacts of three referees
  • Copies of Academic Certificate and Transcripts.
  • A statement and proof of current remuneration package.

Please use the link below to submit your application documents.

https://erp.kilimotrust.org/jobs/apply/program-assistant-horticulture-value-chain-development-01-position-19

Address your application to the Human Resource Manager, Kilimo Trust.

Deadline for application: 9th October 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted