Horticulture Value Chain Management Development Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which leads the international effort for a world free of hunger and malnutrition in which food and agriculture contribute to improving the living standards of all its inhabitants, especially the poorest, in an economically sustainable way.  social and environmental. We work to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its global goals by fostering sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems for better production, nutrition, environment and life.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works in Rwanda to support the country in eradicating hunger, malnutrition, and rural poverty. It works alongside the national government, local authorities, and other partners to develop public policies, programs, and projects focused on sustainable agri-food systems, food and nutrition security, inclusive rural development, and the sustainable management of natural resources, with a territorial, gender-sensitive, and differentiated approach.

Rwanda is advancing climate-resilient agriculture through national strategies that prioritize landscape restoration, agroforestry, and high-value crop development. Fruit tree-based restoration is a key approach, leveraging strong growing conditions and market demand to address environmental challenges while improving rural livelihoods.

Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and national partners such as Rwanda Environment Management Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, the programme aims to plant up to 20 million grafted fruit trees over five years. It focuses on restoring degraded land, improving soil and water systems, increasing carbon sequestration, and strengthening climate adaptation and mitigation.

At the same time, it seeks to boost farmer incomes especially for youth and women by enhancing productivity, diversifying livelihoods, improving access to quality planting materials, strengthening nursery systems, and linking farmers to structured markets. To support implementation, FAO is recruiting national project personnel for this initiative within Rwanda’s broader climate-resilient agrifood transformation.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and in close collaboration with FAO technical officers, Better Environment Leads, and relevant technical officers at Headquarters, RAF, and SFE, the incumbent will support and contribute to leading the technical work on the horticulture value chain

Technical Focus

Translating Rwanda’s fruit tree-based restoration programme into tangible, field-level results by designing and overseeing the establishment of large-scale, climate-resilient fruit production systems. This includes ensuring the appropriate selection and matching of priority species (e.g. avocado, mango, macadamia) to suitable agro-ecological zones, and promoting the application of best practices in nursery development, grafting, planting, and orchard management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the detailed design of the national Fruit Tree-Based Restoration and Value Chain Development Programme.
  
• Contribute to the development of a phased implementation plan for the establishment of up to 20 million grafted fruit trees including avocado, macadamia, mango, pomegranate, grapes.
  
• Conduct mapping exercise within Kigali City and other relevant provinces to identify priority sites for fruit tree establishment, including degraded hillsides and marshlands.
  
• Contribute to landscape zoning and planning to ensure optimal integration of fruit trees within current or planned landscapes.
  
• Provide technical guidance on climate-resilient agroforestry systems, including species selection, orchard establishment models, and integration within landscape restoration approaches.
  
• Develop technical packages and guidelines for fruit tree production, including nursery standards, planting protocols, and maintenance practices.
  
• Ensure alignment with national strategies (PSTA5, NDC 3.0, land use plans, and green growth strategies).
  
• Support the establishment and certification of high-quality fruit tree nurseries, including public, private, and community-based systems.
  
• Develop and implement quality assurance protocols for grafted planting materials.
  
• Strengthen supply chain systems for timely production and distribution of seedlings across priority sites.
  
• Ensure alignment with national land use frameworks and environmental safeguards.
  
• Facilitate coordination among key stakeholders, including government institutions, districts, private sector actors, and development partners.
  
• Support the preparation of concept notes and full proposals targeting potential donors including climate finance windows (GCF, GEF-9, Adaptation Fund among others).
  
• Perform any other related duties as may be requested by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A master’s degree in Horticulture, Agroforestry, Agriculture or any related field.
  
• At least 10 years of professional experience in Horticulture, Agroforestry value chains.
  
• Working knowledge (level C) of English language.
  
• National of Rwanda

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
  
• Communication
  
• Teamwork
  
• Building Effective Relationships
  
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Providing technical guidance, monitoring progress, and ensuring the programme aligns with Rwanda’s broader climate-resilient agriculture and landscape restoration goals.
  
• Ensure production is market-oriented, economically viable, and inclusive of smallholders, especially youth and women
  
• Applying knowledge of agroforestry systems and sustainable land management techniques.
  
• Setting technical standards, monitoring seedling quality, and ensuring efficient distribution systems so farmers can reliably access improved varieties

Selection criteria

• Demonstrated experience working with farmer organizations, cooperatives, and MSMEs.
  
• Climate Finance and Resource Mobilization: Knowledge of climate finance mechanisms (e.g., GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund) and experience in developing concept notes and funding proposals is desirable.
  
• Strong communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
  
• Ability to propose practical, context-specific solutions and adapt approaches in dynamic implementation environments.
  
• Prior experience working with FAO or similar TA projects is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION