Grain Storage Expert Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources

1. Introduction
• The Government of Rwanda (GoR) represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has received funding from Development Partners to support the Strategic Capacity Building Initiative (SCBI) for the priority sector of agriculture. The SCBI is supervised by the Public Sector Capacity Building Secretariat and is meant to fill strategic gaps in the delivery chain of agriculture production.

• In order to facilitate implementation the GoR intends to use part of these funds for the recruitment of a Senior Expert in Grain Storage.

• We are therefore inviting applications from eligible candidates to provide evidence that they are qualified and experienced to perform the tasks outlined in the job description below.

2. Background to Recruitment
• The GoR sees Agriculture development as a key catalyst to engender long-term sustainable growth and remove thousands out of poverty. While crop production continues to increase through productivity, giving higher yields, sustainability and revenue generation depend on the success of the entire value-chain. In particular with surplus production, it was seen to be important to have in place a strategic on post-harvest handling and storage that seeks to mitigate certain inefficiencies that are present in Rwanda. Furthermore, given that there is a continued reliance on rainfed agriculture and that Rwanda is landlocked and surrounded by other food insecure countries, supporting infrastructures that allow for the storage of food will allow Rwanda to develop its agriculture. MINAGRI is supporting post-harvest infrastructure through large-scale purchases of warehouses, drying grounds, silos and grain stocks.

• It is in this regard that the Ministry would like to recruit a Grain Storage Expert to support the Post Harvest Handling and Storage Task Force in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

3. Job Description
• Take the lead in providing support in the activities of the Post Harvest Handling and Storage in MINAGRI.
• Act as a lead advisor to the Chair of the Post Harvest Handling and Storage (PHHS) Task Force, the Permanent Secretary and Minister of MINAGRI in all matters related to grain storage.
• Conduct a review sub-sector capacity, with reference to PHHS, focusing specifically on:
o National grain quality management for all staple crops;
o Current national capacity for grain storage, including quality assurance practices, management capabilities, geographic placements, and metric volumes;
o Methods used to estimate national grain reserves’ needs, with a view to provide guidance in best methods for estimating national reserves figures;
o Development of a national strategic grain reserves policy, including a manual to facilitate national policy;
o Procurement and establishment of steel storage silos appropriate for Rwanda;
o National regulations for all storage facilities, including routine maintenance schedules and performance evaluation checklists;

• Conduct a baseline study, based on the priority capacity gaps identified in the review, to clearly gauge the levels of capacity in the sub-sector, against which progress can be measured, focusing specifically on (1) extension staff to train and assist grain storage managers; (2) grain storage managers in properly supervising the maintenance and use of grain storage silos; and (3) MINAGRI to oversee the national strategic grain reserves policy;
• Develop a capacity-building work-plan with ambitious and achievable targets for improvements in capacity, responding to the gaps identified in the initial review, and the needs of the groups identified above;
• Directly support and build capacity of identified Ministry staff (3 people will be appointed as counterparts) to deliver PHHS Strategy in Rwanda, focusing on the capacity gaps identified in the baseline study, through:
o Creating site-appropriate training materials related to proper maintenance of steel storage silos, including cooling and ventilation, insect infestation management, and hygiene in storage facilities;
o Providing Training of Trainers for extension staff on proper maintenance of steel storage silos, including cooling and ventilation, insect infestation management, and hygiene in storage facilities;
o Providing back-stopping support for all extension staff;
o Preparing draft technical documents for international, intergovernmental and expert group meetings and assists in drafting relevant reports.

4. Minimum Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or related field;
• Minimum of fifteen years of relevant experience in agriculture, especially in developing countries;
• Minimum of eight years of specific experience in the management and operation of metal grain storage silos, including intake and distribution systems;
• Familiarity with issues related to the development of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, including the challenges in addressing food security and poverty alleviation;
• Ability to assist in the formulation of policies relevant to national strategic reserves of commodities;
• Experience in the development of training materials specifically adapted for user populations;
• Ability to use adapted materials to train at various knowledge/skills levels in management, maintenance, and efficient use of grain storage silos;
• Should be able to work in multicultural setting, in a good team spirit;
• Must be computer literate;
• Proficiency in English;
• Prior work experience in Africa;
• Experience of undertaking similar assignments in developing countries; and
• Knowledge of Rwanda’s (or similar country) farming practice.


5. Work duration:
• The length of the assignment will be 1 year. It may be renewable subject to performance.


6. Reporting obligations
• The expert will report to the Chair of the PHHS Task Force to undertake the specified activities. In terms of reporting, there are two reports.
• The expert should write a report every quarter on progress against agreed targets in the work-plan, and submit the report to the Chair of the PHHS Task Force and PS MINAGRI for discussion at a quarterly meeting.
• The expert’s performance in capacity building will also be directly assessed by a MINAGRI official who will write a short quarterly report on the consultant’s coaching progress.
• This will also be reviewed quarterly in the same meeting by the Chair of the PHHS Task Force and the PS MINAGRI. Therefore, two short reports are needed for the meeting every quarter.
• At the end of the contract period, the expert should produce a final report to be submitted with the request for the last instalment payment.



7. Remuneration
• Expert will be offered a highly attractive package commensurate with experience and there will be additional benefits.

8. Location
• The consultant will be based in Kigali/Rwanda with potential frequent travel upcountry

9. Mode of Application:
• Interested qualified candidates may submit their applications with (1) CVs, (2) motivation letter and (3) certified copies of their relevant certificates to the address below or the email address matthew.carter@tb-agi.org (title of email should read Expert in Grain Storage) not later than 15:00 hrs, on the 3 January 2012.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Job Email id:

matthew.carter(at)tb-agi.org