Company Description

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

Job Description

SNV Rwanda is recruiting an experienced Access to Markets Advisor for an anticipated program focused on youth employment within agriculture value chains. The Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture – Rwanda (YEA-R) Program aims to increase resilience and quality of life for young women, men and persons with disabilities through dignified, fulfilling, and equitable work opportunities. The role will focus on strengthening access to market opportunities to improve employment prospects and economic opportunities for youth working in the horticulture and poultry value chains in Rwanda.

The Access to Markets Advisor will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening private sector businesses and cooperatives within the program. He/she will lead market access efforts from both the demand and supply side, with an emphasis on skill building, facilitating market linkages and fostering financial resilience among young agripreneurs to improve market knowledge, networks and business arrangements.

I. Market Access and Business Development

• Lead efforts to enhance market access by connecting young entrepreneurs with companies, service providers, and new and existing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) active in the horticulture and poultry value chains.
• Identify market opportunities and support youth and cooperatives in developing competitive business strategies to meet market demands.
• Guide the establishment of strategic partnerships with key players in the horticulture and poultry value chains, including private sector companies, financial institutions, and service providers.
• Facilitate the development and execution of business plans for private sector entities and cooperatives, with a focus on growth and sustainability.
• Promote inclusive business practices that address market access barriers and create opportunities for young people, particularly young women and persons with disabilities (PWD).
• Work with program partners to create a pipeline of youth agripreneurs in focus districts capable of accessing financial products and services outside the project.

II. Strengthening Cooperatives and Private Sector Engagement

• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to private sector entities, cooperatives, and young agripreneurs to strengthen their business operations.
• Foster networks of young agripreneurs, providing mentorship and technical support to young women and men to start and grow businesses on and off-farm.
• Enhance the skills of youth entrepreneurs in areas such as digital and financial literacy, marketing, sales, customer service, and business management.
• Support leadership development among young women and men, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in agripreneurship.
• Facilitate access to financial and non-financial resources, including micro-leasing, loans, and grants to enable youth-led businesses to grow and thrive.
• Facilitate linkage to existing initiatives and investment schemes to increase resource flows to young women and men in market systems.
• Support cooperatives and businesses to enhance legal compliance, governance, and improve supply chain practices, such as inventory management, logistics, and distribution strategies.
• Support the roll-out of business-to-business (B2B) activities, fostering collaboration and market engagement across target value chain actors that connect cooperatives and businesses with buyers, suppliers, and distributors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in access to market development, cooperative and private sector development, business development, preferably within the agricultural sector.
• Proven expertise in developing and strengthening market linkages, facilitating partnerships, and supporting business-to-business activities.
• Experience working with cooperatives, MSMEs, or private sector companies, particularly in the horticulture and poultry value chains, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of local and regional markets in the targeted value chains.
• Track record in providing training, coaching, and mentoring, with a demonstrated ability to support youth entrepreneurs.
• Proficiency in English & Kinyarwanda is required (written and spoken), while knowledge of basic French is an added advantage.
• Good computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Windows applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including project partners, young entrepreneurs, and private sector actors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify market opportunities and propose viable solutions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a proactive approach to achieving the goals of the YEA-R program.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track and assess progress in enhancing market access and promoting youth economic empowerment.

Additional Information

Terms of appointment:

• Contract Type: Full time (40 hours per week)
• Contract Duration: 1 year
• Information Duty Station: Kigali

How to apply:

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation before August 1, 2025, COB using the Smart Recruiters platform.

Note: This is a national position, qualified Rwandan candidates are encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts.

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

Shortlisting

Shortlisting and interviews will be done on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates are highly recommended to submit their applications as soon as they can. Only applicants fulfilling the above requirements will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within one month from the submission date of your application, consider your application unsuccessful.

Reference & vetting check

At SNV, we conduct thorough background and reference checks for all candidates applying for internationally determined positions, with a strong focus on safeguarding. You will be asked to provide contact details for two individuals who can serve as references. Please note, we will only contact your referees with your explicit permission.

As a participant in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, our reference checks also include a request to your previous employers to complete a "Statement of Conduct" questionnaire. This questionnaire addresses any instances of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, in line with the Scheme's definitions.

*We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.