Volunteerism Opportunity, International: The United Nations FAO needs the services of Nutrition-Sensitive and Market-oriented Agriculture Programme developer in Kigali (Rwanda)
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Application deadline: 20 June 2021: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct.
Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
Organizational Context & Project Description: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high[1]quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. On-going FAO assistance in Rwanda is shaped by the 2018-2023 Country program Framework, which is centered on the following four priority areas. (see the four priority areas at the end) below are details of the assignment
Country of Assignment: Rwanda
Host Institute: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Volunteer Category: International Specialist
Number of Volunteer: 1
Duration: 12 months
Expected Starting Date: 01-10-2021
Duty Station: Kigali [RWA]
Assignment Place: Family Duty Station
Description of task
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative Programme, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Analysing of nutritional situation and drivers for malnutrition and poverty among FAO
Rwanda project beneficiaries.
- Formulating Nutrition Sensitive and market-oriented Agriculture strategies across FAO
Rwanda projects
- Identifying areas and opportunities to enhance nutrition-Sensitive and market-oriented Agri
culture of the FAO Rwanda programme
- Measuring and monitoring progress and tracking unintended Nutrition Sensitive and
market-oriented Agriculture strategies positive and negative effects;
- Engage as needed in multi-sectoral approach with other sectors such as community health, WASH, etc.
Qualifications/Requirements
Required degree level: Master degree or equivalent
Education – Additional Comments:
Rural development (including support to vulnerable and refugees)
Master’s degree in food security, rural development, or agriculture economics. Peace building or agribusiness
Required experience: 24 Months
Experience remark:
- 2 years experience
- Experience working with UN systems would be an added advantage
Language skills:
- English(Mandatory), Level – Fluent
- French(Optional), Level – Working Knowledge
Area of expertise: Food safety and nutrition
Area of expertise details:
| Expertise | Mandatory yes/no |
| Experience in carrying out agricultural and nutritional assessments | NO |
| Having a good understanding of agriculture and nutrition strategy formulation | YES |
| Experience in Monitoring and Evaluating of agriculture and nutrition projects. | YES |
Additional Requirements for Area of Expertise: Project formulation and project management skills
Driving license: No
Competencies values:
Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Vision, Working in Teams
Application procedure:
Prerequisites
This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) who could get recommendation by JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please check your application eligibility: JICA website.
This is a UN Volunteer assignment and eligible candidates must be 25 years of age or older.
Selection process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment, via competency-based interviews held via skype or telephone.
How to apply
Please apply via the link below. You can then either log in if you already have an account or register via ‘Candidate Signup’.
You may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement and indicate your order of preference in the ‘Additional Remarks’ section of your profile.
Apply through the link below: Nutrition Sensitive and Market-oriented Agriculture Programme developer | UNV
Discover more opportunities and apply through the link below: Careers | Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (hrlrc.org)
Organizational Context & Project Description.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high[1]quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. On-going FAO assistance in Rwanda is shaped by the 2018-2023 Country program Framework, which is centered on the following four priority areas.
Innovative approaches to promote sustainable and integrated Crop, Livestock and Aquaculture production systems promoted; Food security, nutrition and climate and other shocks resilient agriculture improved through sustainable and diversified production systems; Inclusiveness of agricultural market systems as well as value addition and competitiveness of diversified agricultural commodities in domestic, regional and international markets promoted; Enhanced enabling environment and responsive institutions for effective and efficient delivery of Services. The United Nations in Rwanda and in DRC have received Funds from the UN Secretary General’sPeacebuilding Fund (PBF)to implement t he 2 years (July 2020 – June 2022) UN joint project “Creating peace dividends for women and youth through increased cross-border trade and strengthened food security” . This cross-border project aims to contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion in the DRC-Rwanda border areas around Goma and Rubavu by deepening economic integration through increased cross-border trade, fostering mutual understanding and dialogue between border communities and strengthening food security livelihood and income opportunities, particularly for women and youth. Activities under the second output of the project is mainly implemented by FAO and WFP.
FAO collaborates with MINAGRI and covers aspects of agriculture production, food security and market linkage. In addition, the three UN agencies involved UNDP, WFP and FAO carry out some joint field work to avoid duplicating their efforts. The UNV will support the implementation of ongoing peacebuilding Joint Programme between FAO and other UN Agencies in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The UNV will contribute to the following FAO activities described in the Joint Programme: Connecting small holder farmers and cross-border traders through joint trainings and workshops; Supporting farmer organizations to strengthen organizational and governance Facilitating negotiations between smallholder farmers and landlords in DRC to promote more equitable and affordable access to arable land;
Apply through the link below: Nutrition Sensitive and Market-oriented Agriculture Programme developer | UNV
Living Conditions
The Republic of Rwanda is a small landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of east-central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. With 12 million people, Rwanda supports the densest population in continental Africa most of whom engages in subsistence agriculture and 40% of the population live below the poverty line. Rwanda is a verdant country of fertile and hilly terrain and bears the title “Land of a Thousand Hills”.
Since the devastating 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has emerged as an impressive story of transformation in Africa. Guided by successive national medium-term plans and by comprehensive policy reforms over the last two decades, the country has achieved remarkable socioeconomic progress demonstrated, inter alia, by a more than three-fold increase in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) from $206 in 2002 to $729 in 2016. Real GDP growth averaged 8.2 per cent during 2000-2010, and 7.3 per cent for 2010-2016, much higher than the 5.2 per cent average for sub-Saharan Africa.
The principal form of public transport in the country is share taxi, with express routes linking the major cities and local services serving most villages along the main roads of the country. A valid passport with visa is mandatory. From 1 Jan 2018, Citizens of all countries can get visa upon arrival without prior application. For those who enter from countries with yellow fever cases, a certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required. COVID-19 test done with 48 hours is also mandatory. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns. Hospitals are in all major towns. There is also the UN Dispensary that can provide 1st aid assistance and guidance.
A combination of tropical location and high altitude ensures that most of Rwanda has a temperate year-round climate. Temperatures rarely stray above 30 degrees Celsius by day or below 15 degrees Celsius at night throughout the year. Throughout the country, seasonal variations in temperature are relatively insignificant. Most parts of the country receive more than 1,000mm of precipitation annually, with the driest months being July to September and the wettest February to May.
The unit of currency is the Rwanda franc. The US dollar is the hard currency of preference, but Euros and Pound can also be easily exchanged. It may be impossible to exchange travellers’ cheques away from the capital. Credit cards are accepted in all the major hotels, restaurants, and shops in Kigali. In addition to Kinyarwanda, French and English are the major spoken languages. Rwanda is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness. Therefore, flexibility and cultural awareness are essential.
Apply through the link below: Nutrition Sensitive and Market-oriented Agriculture Programme developer | UNV
Discover more opportunities and apply through the link below: Careers | Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (hrlrc.org)
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
