Terms of Reference:
Recruitment of a Consultant - Project Manager to assist the Smart Africa Secretariat on the e-Agriculture and Agritech initiative
1. About Smart Africa
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies.
The Transform Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda on 28th-31st October 2013 culminated in the adoption of the Smart Africa Manifesto document by seven (7) African Heads of States (Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso) in which they committed to provide leadership in accelerating socio-economic development through ICT’s.
On 30th-31st January 2014, The Smart Africa Manifesto was endorsed by all Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa. This development places the Manifesto at the heart
of the ICT agenda in Africa beyond just the 7 original signatories at the Summit to all the African countries.
The Smart Africa Alliance has since grown to include 30 African countries that represent 750+ million people.
The Smart Africa Manifesto aims to put ICT at the Center of National Socio-economic development agenda of member countries; improve access to ICT especially Broadband; to improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT promoting the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication; to put Private Sector first; and to leverage ICT to promote sustainable development.
2. Background of the e-Agriculture and Agritech initiative
Smart Africa recognizes the impact of agriculture goes well beyond its immediate economic contribution. Smart Africa seeks to positively impact the agricultural sector in Africa, to help countries realize the gains in production and efficiency that will stave off hunger and malnutrition and decrease the food trade deficit. These gains can be achieved partly, but significantly, through digital solutions which will in turn catalyse additional investment in the sector, further empowering the continent’s population.
In this context, various Member States of the SMART Africa initiative have adopted flagship projects in relation with e-Agriculture and Agritech and will be working on sharing best practices to promote a framework for a sustainable and innovative agriculture in the continent.
Besides the interest of Member States, the SMART Africa Secretariat has also partnered with innovative actors from the private sector to collaborate in the development of a concept paper and the implementation of concept for a cross-cutting platform that integrates the financial ecosystem with the livestock value chain, contributing in addressing financial inclusion.
Smart Africa will work with Member States, the private sector and other relevant partners to identify streams of interest, conduct desk research on the African agricultural contexts, e-Agriculture and Agritech strategies, and other Key Informant Interviews. This research exercise will help better understand digital agriculture transformation challenges and ways to address them and will underpin the implementation strategy.
3. Responsibilities
The Smart Africa Secretariat would like to recruit a Project Manager (hereinafter referred to as the “PM”) to assist the Smart Africa Secretariat with responsibility for management of various strategic projects in relation to e-Agriculture and Agri-tech, in close consultation with stakeholders and partners.
The PM will provide required technical and administrative support to coordinate and implement project activities across Smart Africa Member States while ensuring effective linkages to the Smart Africa core objectives and activities.
The PM will support activities between Smart Africa, countries and relevant partners with three main objectives:
• Establish partnerships between organizations amplifying a shared vision for supporting countries in Africa on their journey to achieve a development plan for digital agriculture;
• Research challenges in the varied African agricultural contexts and needs of governments in defining their digital agriculture transformation strategy, e-Agriculture and Agritech strategies and implementing cross-sectoral and whole-of-government initiatives to improve the whole agricultural value chain and integrating it more closely into a country’s digital economy;
• Define an implementation roadmap for e-Agriculture and Agritech schemes in different African regions, including milestones, key deliverables and the necessary resources to ensure sustainability;
• Host learning events to share best practices and insights from research.
The other general duties of the Project Manager will include:
• Support the e-Agriculture and Agri-tech flagship projects’ global annual performance;
• Design and document our evolving strategy, including produce relevant slides, presentations, and key messaging;
• Review and prepare analysis and research on the sector, using regional and global resources including academia and industry;
• Help us bring new allies and strengthen the commitment of existing partners;
• Establish close collaboration and working arrangements with an interdisciplinary team composed of experts from Governments, Private sector, Non-Government organisations and other professional associations, to ensure good coordination, collaboration and timely conduct of Smart Africa activities;
• Follow through mobilization of funds /resources from other development partners and institutions to complete the financing of the Smart Africa projects;
• Provide periodical reports on the progress of project activities and issues arising;
• Participate in regional project meetings and workshops and other activities as required.
Other responsibilities will include:
• Prepare the terms of reference and identify consultants/institutions to undertake assignments in accordance with the approved annual Work Plan;
• Monitor and supervise the work of consultants, institutions, government staff and other partners, facilitate meetings and, as far as possible, ensure the timely and responsive delivery of outputs and reports;
• Provide to institutions/consultants visiting or engaged in assignments, including preparing itineraries, appointments and assisting with travel and other logistical arrangements;
• Any other assignments which will be assigned from time to time by the leadership of Smart Africa.
4. Key qualifications
• A minimum of graduate qualifications (Master’s degree) in a relevant discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Social Sciences, economics, Agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, or development studies)
• At least 5 years of relevant experience particularly working with country governments in developing ICT policy and/or implementing ICT strategies in order to empower rural communities, improve rural livelihoods, and build sustainable agriculture and food security
• Familiarity with different aspects of sustainable agriculture, rural development and related literature
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Excellent project management and team management skills
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to work effectively with all partners in order to act as an effective catalyst
• Ability to communicate knowledge effectively through various mediums including data visualization and reports, learning activities, and other methods
• Problem-solving skills, including ability to draw meaning and trends from data and recommend actions to address issues
• Strong technical skills in standard software programs (such as MS Office), web-based applications (such as Google suite and Microsoft Teams)
• Highly organized; demonstrates grace under pressure; and delivers results in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to interact with people from diverse, multi-cultural backgrounds
• A willingness to travel, domestically and internationally
• Ability to work in Kigali, Rwanda
Languages:
• Excellent Knowledge and Fluency in both French and English (reading and writing).
• The good working knowledge of another language such as Portuguese or Arabic will be an advantage.
5. Duration of the assignment
The duration of the contract is 1 year. The position is based in Kigali, Rwanda.
6. Reporting requirements
The PM will report directly to the Head of the Digital Transformation Division under the Director of Technology and Innovation.
7. Application Procedure
• A one-page cover letter with a motivation statement in relation to the ToR;
• A CV with 2 contact information of referees;
Are you interested in becoming a Project Manager e-Agriculture in Rwanda? Apply now at the top or bottom of our page.
Note: This is a job advertisement, applications will be forwarded to the employer for selection. JobnetAfrica believes all applicants should get feedback, good or bad, but are not further involved in the recruitment for this particular vacancy.
