Chief Technical Adviser - Forestry Project

Title: Chief Technical Adviser (CTA)

Services Designation: Chief Technical Adviser for Project RWA/028 – “Sustainable Forestry and Efficient Renewable Energy for improved livelihood (SFERE)”

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Starting date: 01.08.2024

Duration: 60 months

1. BACKGROUND

The Sustainable Forestry and Efficient Renewable Energy for improved livelihood (SFERE) - RWA/028 project contributes to solving the equation of the demand for wood energy in Rwanda and the overexploitation and degradation of productive forests. It is designed around three components:

(1)   The project plans to engage the private forestry sector, especially smallholders, in adapting to climate change through more efficient and sustainable forest management.

(2)   To reduce the pressure on natural resources due to the growing demand for wood energy and losses related to charcoal production, the SFERE project also promotes “clean cooking” for urban and peri-urban households and to develop the value chain and the wood pellet market.

(3)   To encourage the adoption of sustainable practices and contribute to the resilience of involved communities, the project will also support income diversification, particularly through value chains such as agroforestry, beekeeping, and non-timber forest products.

The project initially stems from a concept note written by the Ministry of Environment of Rwanda, with technical support from Enabel. The formulation of the project began in November 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2024.

The SFERE project is expected to start on the 1^st of August 2024 and to run for five years with a budget of 12 000 000 EUR.

The SFERE project will be implemented by LuxDev, with a technical team based in Kigali, and two or three satellite offices in the intervention areas. The technical team will be supported by a shared pool of resources covering administrative, financial, and other support functions for all projects implemented by LuxDev in Rwanda.

Key national stakeholders are the Ministry of Environment (MoE) who will chair the Steering Committee, the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), which has authority on the energy sector, including clean cooking. Close links are expected with the Rwanda Green Fund and the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). The projet will also set partnerships with civil society and private sector organisations, as well as with the Luxembourg-based NGO ADA.

2. OBJECTIVES

The CTA represents LuxDev in the implementation structure of the project.

The CTA will promote LuxDev’s values in the field. He/She passes LuxDev’s main mission, namely capacity building. He/She participates in the implementation of the Agency’s vision.

In this view he/she ensures that all processes defined by the Agency are implemented in accordance with the Agency’s Quality Manual.

The CTA receives delegation of signature authority on the project bank account opened in the implementation country. The CTA is the representative of the donor (first-level authority) for the execution of financial commitments of the Luxembourg Government’s contribution to this project.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

Implementation of the activities:

·     Ensure project launch;

·     Prepare, follow up and conclude Operational Partnership Agreements (OPA);

·     Plan the tasks and activities;

-       design all or part of the multi-year action plan,

-       present the action plan to the steering committee and get it validated,

-       prepare and update the plan, taking into account the partner’s priorities, wholly or partly (only including the tasks and activities under the expert’s responsibility according to their ToR) on a yearly or multi-yearly basis and get Country Office (ROF) validation.

·     Organise and participate to steering committees (role of secretary), organise progress monitoring meetings and meetings with the technical and financial partners.

·     Implement specific technical activities;

·     Ensure project wrap-up.

Administrative management of the project :

·     Office (equipment, vehicles, rent…);

·     Human resources (job descriptions for staff recruitment, annual appraisal of local staff…);

·     Procurement (draft tenders according to LuxDev procedures, manage contracts…)

·     Audit follow up.

Financial management of the project:

·     Draft the budget and financial planning;

·     Expenditure follow-up.

Monitoring and reporting results

·     Update and follow-up the Objectively Verifiable Indicators (OVI).

Managing information

·     Reporting;

·     Knowledge Management;

·     Ensure capitalisation;

·     Manage communication.

Representing LuxDev within the parameters defined in the agreements between LuxDev, the partner and the Embassy, as well as any relevant clause in the TFD and work in close collaboration with other execution agencies.

Developing capacity at individual, organisational and institutional levels.

4. PROFILE

·     master's degree in engineering, bioscience, agriculture and/or natural resources economy, in management and business administration or in a related field relevant for the project;

·     at least 10 years of experience in development cooperation project management, preferably in the context of forestry, biomass energy, agriculture, with a focus on engaging private sector;

·     at least 5 years of work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in Rwanda;

·     excellent spoken and written English and French skills;

·     experiences in climate change adaptation and environment preservation or in private sector and entrepreneurship development in developing countries are a strong advantage;

·     mandatory experience in managing teams.

How to apply:

Please apply via our website: https://careers.luxdev.lu/job-invite/1479/

 Deadline: 14 April 2024

N.B. suspensive clause: this recruitment is launched before the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding of the Project. No contract can be concluded without the signature of this agreement.