Programme Advisor

Rikolto in East Africa is part of the Rikolto network, an international NGO with more than 40 years of experience working with farmer organizations and food chain actors in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Rikolto's mission is to contribute to the development of a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector, with family farmers supplying quality products for their own consumption and for various markets (national, regional, and international). In its programme in Tanzania, Rikolto is currently implementing a food systems programme in 8 regions of the Northern and Southern Highlands of Tanzania, mainly through 3 programmes focusing on transforming urban food systems (Good Food for Cities), sustainable rice production, and living income through the cocoa/coffee programme.

Rikolto in Tanzania has recently secured funding from the World Food Programme (WFP) to implement two projects aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing economic empowerment. The first project, Vijana Kilimo Biashara (VKB), focuses on increasing food productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and developing a high-value market system. This initiative targets youth engagement in agriculture and seeks to strengthen food security by creating better linkages between producers and markets in Tanzania. The second project, A Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress Towards Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), is designed to advance economic opportunities for rural women. It will focus on value chains for sorghum and sunflower production, with particular emphasis on the regions of Singida and Dodoma.

Rikolto is currently hiring a Programme Advisor for the VKB and JP RWEE projects. This role involves overseeing the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the projects in Singida and Dodoma.

Responsibilities:

The individual will be responsible for providing programme management across the two regions, Singida and Dodoma, reporting directly to the Programme Coordinator, Southern Highlands. In addition to the specific tasks outlined below, they are expected to contribute fully as a member of the program team, always conducting themselves professionally as representatives of the program. They will also be responsible for the safekeeping and proper care of all program assets assigned to them. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate sorghum and sunflower programme activities for VKB and JP RWEE in Singida and Dodoma.
• Monitor and document the processes of change/innovation in business models, changes in behavior at the level of the youth enterprises involved, and the results of these in terms of improving the livelihoods of smallholders and young entrepreneurs while drawing lessons from them.
• Coordinate the co-design, validation, and implementation of innovations and business models among youth enterprises in the sorghum and sunflower value chains.
• Coordinate the design and implementation of an incubation and acceleration programme for young entrepreneurs focused on the sorghum and sunflower value chains and coordinate the implementation of the "Generation-Food and Food Business Accelerations" model for the inclusion of young people in food systems.
• Coordinate the recruitment of business consultants for the effective and efficient delivery of assignments and ensure deliverables are met.
• Monitor the knowledge management process within the programme and multi-stakeholder dynamics to build on evidence of impact.
• Participate actively in the learning and experience-sharing initiatives of relevant regional networks.
• Coordinate planning, monitoring, and management of the programme workplan and budget, ensuring that all activities are aligned with project goals and financial resources are effectively utilized.
• Responsible for building, strengthening, and maintaining relationships with different stakeholders in the project by ensuring effective communication and collaboration to support project success.
• Take the lead in the preparation of work plans and budgets, quarterly and monthly reports, programme success stories, farmer stories, and any other documentation as required.
• Coordinate and supervise programme officers (Gender, Agribusiness, and Agronomy officers) in Singida and Dodoma and ensure they are able to coordinate activities at the district level.
• In charge of Dodoma and Singida office management by ensuring programme assets are well used and managed.
• Perform any other duties as may be required by your supervisor.

Expected Outputs:

• Innovative pilots that contribute to the desired planned structural changes and business models.
• Strong entrepreneurial attitude, skills, and capacities of FBOs.
• High-quality analysis of trends and opportunities in the sorghum and sunflower subsectors.
• Strong network and coordination with partners and key stakeholders.
• Significant and sustainable benefits for farmers working in the pilots.
• Effective learning processes that lead to improvements in programme design.
• Effective multi-stakeholder platforms that strengthen smallholder farmer voice.
• Meticulous documentation and translation of the outcomes of the pilots.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Business, or Cooperative Development.
• At least 4 years in grains and/or commercial crops value chains and working with a variety of stakeholders and partners.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strategic thinker who can see problems from different angles.
• Results-oriented.
• Communicates clearly in a variety of settings and styles and possesses good networking skills.
• In-depth understanding of value chain development approaches, including gender empowerment approaches.
• In-depth understanding and development of sustainable non-financial (BDS development) and financial services, including market information systems.
• Extensive experience working with FBOs and facilitating collective action (including marketing where necessary).
• Proven track record of developing FBO or SME business models and business plans.
• Good understanding of sustainability/environmental issues and the ability to interpret information for stakeholders.
• Understands national, regional, and global market dynamics of different agricultural value chains.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Good proficiency in English (speaking and writing).
• Licensed and able to drive a manual car.

Interested candidates should send an application letter, a detailed CV, and copies of relevant certificates before October 25, 2024, to eastafrica.recruitment@rikolto.org, indicating the source of the advertisement and the title of the position in the subject line: Programme Advisor.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited for an interview.