Policy Specialist (Small livestock)

Organizational setting

The main aim of FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forest sectors, and using their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO Rwanda is implementing a national component of the project “Developing capacities in agricultural innovation systems: scaling up the Tropical Agriculture Platform framework” (TAP-AIS project), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). The TAP-AIS project is funded by the European Union and is coordinated by FAO’s Research and Extension Unite (OINR), Office of Innovation, Rome, Italy.

TAP-AIS in Rwanda, one of nine project countries, focuses on the project’s Output 2: ‘Countries’ agricultural innovation systems (AIS) are assessed, capacity development needs are identified and agricultural innovation systems strengthened’, and contributes to the global project’s information and communications platform.

In 2021, TAP-AIS Rwanda carried out an assessment of agricultural innovation systems of the country’s small livestock sub-sector, with focus on poultry and piggery value chains and on animal feeds. The study identified organizational and policy-related constraints and challenges in the small livestock innovation system that will be addressed in the project’s capacity development phase.

To this end, FAO-Rwanda is recruiting a Policy Specialist consultant to conduct an in-depth analysis of policies and their implementation, and the enabling environment related to the small livestock sub-sector with focus on poultry and piggery value chains, and on animal feed. The study will provide decision support and advise the TAP-AIS Project, MINAGRI and other stakeholders on actions to strengthen the AIS of the small livestock sub-sector.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programmes), under the technical guidance of the Country Project Manager (CPM), as well as the lead technical officer (LTO) at OINR, FAO Headquarters in Rome.

Technical Focus

The Policy consultant will be recruited to:

• Conduct an assessment on the effects of policy and the enabling environment on agricultural innovation processes in the small livestock subsector in Rwanda
• Identify, analyse and prioritize policy-related issues that influence innovation processes in the small livestock sub-sector
• Organize a national policy dialogue event, in collaboration with the TAP-AIS Country Project Manager (CPM)
• Identify mechanisms for improving policies and strategic processes to strengthen agricultural innovation.

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct an analysis of policies and the implementation of policy governing the agricultural innovation systems, specifically in the small livestock subsector in Rwanda
• Analyse the effects of policy and the enabling environment on innovation with focus on poultry and piggery value chains, including animal feeds.
• Conduct a review of relevant policy-related interventions, including previous and current EU-supported projects.
• Prepare a methodology for the policy analysis that covers, among others:
  • on-going related policy work among key organizations in Rwanda
  • multi-stakeholder consultations from local to national levels.
  • mainstreaming legal pieces/ aspects with small livestock vale chain actors
• Collect primary data through interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions/ workshops
• Present the methodology and detailed workplan for the policy analysis at meeting with the TAP-AIS project’s country advisory team.
• Present results and recommendations at a policy dialogue event to be organized by FAO Rwanda
• Write a final report on the policy analysis
• Effective dialogue with FAO-Rwanda and the project’s CPM and National Project Coordinator

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (at least MSc) in agriculture, development studies, agricultural economics, agriculture policy or related fields.
• At least five years of relevant experience in agricultural research or agricultural policy in Rwanda
• Knowledge of policy aspects of agricultural innovations systems in Rwanda
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
• Knowledge of Kinyarwanda is required; knowledge of French it is a benefit.
• National of Rwanda or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in agricultural development, innovation and related policy processes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting research, studies or evaluations on agricultural policy and the enabling environment.
• Knowledge of tools and methods for policy analysis, in a multi-stakeholder setting from local to national levels
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Quality of oral and written communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated inter-personal and teamwork skills, self-driven with ability to engage effectively with policy- and decision makers at various levels.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
• Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Fulfils obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment