Result of Service

• Effective management of the work ensures that activities (incl. meetings, Demonstration Hall design, procurement, agreements/contracts, fundraising, communication and outreach activities) are delivered on time to the extent practicable from U4E’s side for optimal functioning of ACES and SPOKES. • Effective engagement with key stakeholders ensures partners from government, industry, academia and civil society are well informed of the project and their feedback is relayed to the Project Manager for consideration and future planning. • Timeliness with work conducted per the workplan (unless extenuating circumstances arise) and advance notice of challenges and potential resolutions for anticipated delays, and pertinent deliverables and reporting ensure smooth functioning of the overall programme.

Work Location

home-based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Project implementation and coordination: • Facilitate project implementation alongside project partners, tracking deliverables as per the ACES Workplan and ensuring timely and quality reporting (including quarterly financial reporting and progress reporting provided by ACES Institute) to the project team as well as donors. • Organize meetings, including but not limited to regular gatherings of the management and advisory committees, bilateral interactions with key partners, as well as general outreach via webinars and other platforms. Assist in preparation of meeting and event materials, present content and moderate discussions during assigned sessions, capture and disseminate notes, and follow-through on assigned actions items. • Work closely with ACES staff to aid in the preparation, authorization and implementation of formal agreements and contracts with ACES collaborators who are jointly researching and developing technologies and business models, outreach materials, education content, academic exchanges, and related efforts. • Work with Rwanda Ministry of Environment through REMA as well as the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning and any other relevant Rwandan organizations/entities to develop a proposal and mobilize funds that would be used to fund the ACES headquarters’ next phases of buildings. • Provide support and strategic advice in developing and maintaining relationships with ACES government, civil society, academia and private stakeholders. • Building on ACES, coordinate with the Institute and international project team to ensure technical assistance is optimally applied for training, demonstration of technology, testing, and other pan-African needs. • Inform, catalyse and support (largely remotely) development of Rwanda’s SPOKE and its collaboration with SPOKES in Kenya and other markets to help ensure they are closely linked facilitate cooperation with the India CoE by keeping partners well informed and help address gaps. • Engage other regional, continental and international organizations in the policy and government affairs arena, advancing relationships and opportunities for cooperation, as directed. B. Funding opportunities to support scale-up: • Build and maintain engagement with potential funders (philanthropic, development agencies, etc.) in Africa and North America to secure funding and tangible support for ACES campus and SPOKE facilities and other key needs identified with them. C. Staffing and commissioning of facilities in Africa: • Support team members by socialising them on the CCN programme and identify other initial staffing needs that address critical gaps at the Centre and SPOKES. • Support ACTS and other partners to bring initial staffing on board at the SPOKEs. Contributions will include development/review of ToR, input during the initial screening of candidates’ profile and feedback on the interviews (if requested). • Help to review the procurement plan and technical specifications developed by UR and UK universities for the procurement of further equipment and services in Rwanda. • Provide advice and support to ACES Institute when it convenes parties for construction, installation and commissioning of infrastructure and equipment to ensure an integrated effort and representation of U4E perspectives at key junctures. D. Communications and knowledge sharing • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with project partners and key stakeholders to help overcome problems. • Support wider outreach to new potential collaborators under the guidance of the Strategic Partnerships Lead, conveying CCN and ACES’ progress at events and via telecommunications. • Offer input on the further build-out of CCN communications. • Provide inputs to the development of communication materials (e.g. press release, social media content, flyer, banners) to increase the visibility of ACES and raise awareness of sustainable cooling through the CCN. • Assist with planning site visits if travel and in-person gathering protocols permit. • Provide written and verbal inputs on curriculum design and related capacity building content where pertinent expertise is available. • Engage local media for coverage to promote ACES. • Assist in preparation of event planning and logistics for ACES phase II launch event.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent additional experience) with agricultural or medical fields, or general supply-chain or logistics that are relevant for these fields (e.g.: Masters in Agribusiness Management). At least 5 years of professional experience working in the agriculture policy arena in sub-Saharan Africa, including at least one year working on sustainable cooling with international organizations In-depth knowledge of CCN and ACES / SPOKE programme, the partners and strategy and delivery pathways. Familiarity with refrigerator markets and technologies and related policies. Experience with developing and implementing market transformation projects with East African and international partners and experience in working as part of a multi-team coalition. Strong familiarity with data gathering, processing and report writing and excellent written and oral communications skills on agricultural or medical policies, programmes and technologies.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required, and in Kinyarwanda and other local languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.