Rwanda Expert in Agricultural Extension

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 an Expert in Agricultural Extension.

• 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. The Crop Intensification Programme has been very successful in increasing production of staple food crops, through improvements to smallholder productivity, and helping Rwanda achieve food self-sufficiency. However, the effectiveness of the agricultural extension system remains a constraint on further increases in production. Extension agents have weak links to the research service, and often lack the means to move around rural areas, or the knowledge on specialised topics. In order to sustain the current rate of agricultural sector growth, MINAGRI and its implementing agency, the Rwanda Agriculture Board, need to develop an extension system that is more accountable to farmers and with highly skilled agents.

• It is in this regard that the Ministry would like to recruit an Expert in Agricultural Extension to support the Deputy Director-General of Extension in the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB).

3. Job Description
• Take the lead in providing support to MINAGRI in its extension activities with smallholder farmers in Rwanda.
• Act as a lead advisor to the Deputy Director-General of Extension in RAB, the Permanent Secretary and Minister of MINAGRI in all matters related to agricultural extension.
• Conduct a review sub-sector capacity, with reference to agricultural extension, focusing specifically on:
o Reviewing different approaches and service delivery models in agricultural extension, including participatory and traditional approaches;
o Knowledge management skills and techniques;
o Relationship between research and extension with a view to strengthening communication and coordination;
o Evaluating the success and capacity gaps in the Farmer Field School approach and innovation platforms being adopted; and
o Understanding the capacity constraints in the Department of Extension in RAB, including skills and personnel gaps.

• 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
• Develop a capacity-building work-plan with ambitious and achievable targets for improvements in capacity, responding to the gaps identified in the initial review
• Directly support and build capacity of identified Ministry staff (3 people will be appointed as counterparts), focusing on the capacity gaps identified in the baseline study, through:
o Advising on the appropriate mix of interventions to be applied in the Government’s approach to extension;
o Providing training for staff in RAB, District Councils and other institutions;
o Developing a comprehensive and workable research and extension strategy for Government; and
o Proposing new models of organisation to improve proximity of extension workers to smallholder farmers.

4. Minimum Qualifications & Experience
• At least a Masters Degree in agricultural science or a related field, with a specialism in research and extension;
• Minimum of 10 years work experience in agricultural extension;
• Knowledge and experience of international best practice in terms of agricultural extension as it pertains to smallholder farmers in Africa.
• Experience in on-the-job training and mentoring in organisations
• Computer literate in common software packages such as Excel is essential
• Must have good knowledge of Rwandan agriculture sector
• Must have an excellent command of English. Speaking French is an advantage.
• Must have demonstrated experience in capacity-building, and knowledge and skills transfer
• Must be able to work under pressure and link with multi-disciplinary experts.

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 Deputy Director-General of Extension in RAB 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 Deputy Director-General of Extension in RAB and Permanent Secretary (PS) of 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 Deputy Director-General of Extension 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 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 email address matthew.carter@tb-agi.org (title of email should read Expert in Agricultural Extension) not later than 15:00 hrs, on the 3 January 2012.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.