District Entrepreneurship Officers x3 (YEAR Project)

About SNV

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalyzing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

SNV Rwanda is recruiting is recruiting for three (3) District Entrepreneurship Officers based in districts across Northern, Western, South -Eastern of Rwanda.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: https://snv.org/

SNV Rwanda is recruiting three (3) District Entrepreneurship Officers for a Master Card Foundation funded program focused on youth employment within agricultural 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 District Entrepreneurship Officers will work closely with the Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor in the implementation of a youth empowerment and employability program within the horticulture and poultry value chains across designated districts in Rwanda. This role requires dynamic, field-based individuals who can provide technical guidance, coach and supervise implementing partner teams to ensure that activities of the youth empowerment and employability program meet established quality standards. As partners reach implementation goals and maintain expected quality levels, the District Entrepreneurship Officers will support the transition of activities to new districts, fostering program expansion and sustainability as part of the capacity strengthening strategy. 

Since this is a field-based position, candidates are encouraged to specify in their motivation letter their preferred region, aligned with the program's geographical coverage.

Northern Region: Musanze, Burera, Rubavu and Rutsiro
Western Region: Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Karongi
South & Eastern Region: Muhanga, Bugesera and Ngororeru

• Identify women and youth entrepreneurs, assess capacity and skills gaps, and develop tailored training programs to enhance entrepreneurship skills, financial capability, and increase employability.
• Provide trainings and business development services (BDS) to women and youth entrepreneurs to improve their skills and knowledge to manage, grow, and sustain their businesses.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor, coach, and assist women and youth entrepreneurs to start and operate small scale agri-businesses in target agricultural value chains.
• Assist in the identification and evaluation of viable business ideas and opportunities among rural women and youth.
• Facilitate meetings and events for women and youth entrepreneurs to foster relationships and establish linkages/networks with key market players, including buyers, suppliers, and financial service providers. 
• Foster a collaborative environment in which women and youth can build trust with potential business partners and develop a strong foundation for long-term partnerships and market arrangements.
• Guide women and youth entrepreneurs in understanding specific market requirements, including quality standards, pricing, and supply expectations, to enhance their preparedness and alignment with market demands.
• Monitor and assess partner performance through established quality metrics, providing feedback and identifying areas for improvement.
• Organise periodic review meetings with partners to evaluate progress, address challenges, and share lessons learned to enhance implementation quality.
• Collect accurate and timely data to support monitoring and reporting on progress of the youth empowerment and employability program.
• Participate in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual reports and other program documents in accordance with SNV and donor guidelines and standards.
• Perform any other duties related to the program as needed.
   

• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Entrepreneurship, Rural Development, Social Sciences or a related field. 
• At least 2-3 years of experience in entrepreneurship, small scale agri-business, youth and women empowerment and employability, preferably within the agricultural sector or rural development.
• Knowledge of Business-to-Business (B2B) Processes, including how to establish market linkages to facilitate sustainable businesses among rural youth and women.
• Strong background in capacity building, coaching and quality assurance for field-based teams.
• Willingness to travel to remote areas in Rwanda on a regular basis.
• 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 collaborate effectively with other program staff and a diverse range of stakeholders, including project partners, communities, private sector actors and government officials.
• Strong analytical skills to identify and assess market trends, demand, and competitive landscapes which are key in working with stakeholders to design effective market entry strategies and position products to meet consumer needs.
• Demonstrates pro-activeness in identifying problems impeding youth and women empowerment and employability, and finding solutions to underlying challenges
   

Additional Information

Terms of appointment:

• Contract Type: Full time, National Employment 
• Duty Station: Northern Region: Musanze, Burera, Rubavu and Rutsiro; Western Region: Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Karongi; South & Eastern Region: Muhanga, Bugesera and Ngororeru
• Reports to: Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor 
• Contract Type and Duration: Two years with the possibility of extension based on performance

How to apply:

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation before December 27, 2024, CoB using the Smart Recruiters platform.

Candidates are encouraged to specify in their motivation letter their preferred region, aligned with the program's geographical coverage.

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

Working at SNV   

We offer a stimulating work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our team members benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org/careers.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

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.
 

Reference & vetting check
We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference. We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission.

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.  

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.