Market Systems Development Technical Advisor, USAID/Rwanda Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Market Systems Development Activity

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a Market Systems Development Technical Advisor for the three-year USAID-funded Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Market Systems in Rwanda. The Activity aims to strengthen the book supply chain to increase the quantity, quality, affordability, and accessibility of books and other physical and digital reading materials in schools, homes, and communities. By working to improve the capacity and systems of key actors along the book chain, such as the Rwandan Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and the private sector, while simultaneously strengthening linkages between these actors, this Activity will improve the sustainability of the Rwandan book supply chain.

The Market Systems Development Technical Advisor reports directly to the Chief of Party (COP) and ensures technical implementation of high impact, proven interventions that meet stated goals and reporting requirements. The MSD Advisor will work closely with the Book Chain Advisor to identify and address inefficiencies in markets within the Book Supply Chain in Rwanda.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• In collaboration with the COP, ensure that the program is delivered according to the contractual requirement with the donor and government i.e. that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted per agreed schedules and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled.
• Identify root causes and inefficiencies in the selected markets to inform implementation
• Support the Rwanda Children’s Book Organization (RCBO) and the Rwanda Education Board (REB) Curriculum Teaching and Learning Resources Department (CTLRD) to establish around book access points nationwide and provide in-depth analysis to ensure sustainability and scalability.
• Provide technical support to agencies under the Ministry of Education and its implementing partners.
• Support Book Chain stakeholders to develop strategies to secure markets and grow to meet the market demand.
• Maintain good working relationships with government officials, ministries, implementing partners, book sector actors, and the international and local NGO community.
• Coordinate closely with the SC offices in administrative and HR matters, especially regarding operations and financial matters as they relate to the program.
• Attend and actively participate in periodic program meetings and ensure a summary of progress and challenges are documented and presented with follow-up actions as required.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in education, international development, marketing, entrepreneurship and other related field or other related field is preferred; Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Minimum of five of professional experience in marketing, business development, and/or access to finance in a relevant field; with a minimum of three years of work experience in the region, ideally in Rwanda.
• At least three years of demonstrated experience in managing and supervising a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with private sector entities, particularly at the sub-national level.
• Good understanding of enterprise development including financing, sales, and marketing with teaching and learning materials.
• Understanding of USAID approaches to private sector development.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and strengthening the capacity of private sector entities to identify market opportunities, produce high-quality TLM and/or manage the growth and development of their business.
• Experience conducting market research and implementing advertising strategies based on study results.
• Strengths in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and capacity development to realize organizational objectives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with public-private partnerships.
• Knowledge of Kinyarwanda will be considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of Rwanda.

About Save the Children

No matter your role when you join Save the Children, each and every day you will challenge yourself to devote your skills, talent and expertise to changing the world for kids. It’s an ambitious goal, and a meaningful one no matter how you see yourself professionally: an accountant, a writer, a data analyst, a teacher, a driver, a designer, or any one of the hundreds of dozens of roles we’re looking to fill every day.

You see, Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond. As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.