Digital Specialist

Founded over 50 years ago, TechnoServe has been named the#1 nonprofit for fighting poverty by the ImpactMatters charity ratings agency.

Program Description:

The Rwanda Ikawa Nziza Cyane (INC) project seeks to equip coffee washing stations (CWS), exporters, and government agencies with new tools, strategies, and policies to drive greater efficiencies and unlock new market opportunities in specialty coffee. Funded by the European Union in conjunction with Rwanda’s MINECOFIN, the Rwanda INC project will run for 4 years. Some of the primary project components include (1) digital tools for CWS business management and farm extension monitoring; (2) new mechanisms for input financing and distribution (e.g., fertilizer, lime, new varieties); and (3) new market research, quality
standards, and policy recommendations to strengthen Rwanda's positioning as a preferred origin for specialty coffee.

Job Summary:
TechnoServe seeks a Digital Specialist to support the successful implementation of Rwanda INC’s ambitious impact agenda. The Digital Specialist will support the selection, integration, and implementation of tools and technologies used in the Rwanda INC program. These platforms perform a range of functions, from providing extension services to farmers, to creating the ability for working capital lenders in Rwanda to better monitor coffee washing station working capital loans, to providing washing station managers themselves the tools needed to improve the operational efficiencies and quality of the coffee they produce - all with the ultimate goal of contributing to lift smallholder farmers out of poverty.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Manage the, selection, adaptation, testing, pilot and evaluation of all ICT tools and platforms used in the Rwanda INC program, including but not limited to:

1. Tablet and phone-based digital tools used to deliver agronomic extension services
2. Virtual Business Advisor digital solution to the Rwandan coffee context (e.g., dashboard for coffee washing station managers)
3. Loan portfolio management tools for financial institutions, exporters, and coffee washing stations.

• Evaluate technologies already in use by different stakeholders in the coffee value chain (e.g., exporters, government agencies, lenders) to identify challenges and solutions for greater alignment.
• Create "heat maps" and dashboards from these digital tools to be shared with key stakeholders for the purpose of strengthening the Rwandan coffee sector.
• Identify opportunities to pilot both new and existing technologies for the Rwanda INC program to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the program implementation model.
• Develop internal knowledge materials; support internal knowledge sharing activities and the development of TechnoServe innovations frameworks and initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Finance, Business Administration, computer programming, or other
  relevant fields.
• At least five years relevant IT project management and delivery experience including systems
  support, implementation, operations, maintenance and support activities within a relevant field (e.g. Access to finance, Microfinance, Farmer outreach, mobile payments).
• Experience developing digital strategies and business cases for technology investment.
• Comfort with data analysis and visualization (e.g., via dashboards).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Database management; back-end integration of mobile platforms and/or software development
  experience
• ICT program management (especially ICT4D)
• Proven communication skills (presentation and writing skills)
• Coffee industry knowledge (esp. coffee washing station familiarity)

Required Languages - Fluency English

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong market orientation, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker.
• Proven ability to work independently, delivering high-quality end products.
• Ability to structure and manage complex tasks
• High integrity and honesty
• Flexible and able to maintain effective relationships and networks 
• Proactively takes advantage of opportunities to learn
• Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diversity and supports diversity efforts
• Expresses ideas effectively in individual and group situations, both verbally and in written communication including Analysis, Research and Report Writing
• Strong decision making and problem solving skills, including internal client focus
• Results oriented
• Effective time management and planning 
  Strong business acumen