Agribusiness Advisor

Focus of the Role

TBI is recruiting for an Agribusiness Advisor, based in Kigali, to work with the Katapult Africa Program team.  The successful candidate will be an expert in the areas of business development and delivery of policy in the agricultural sector across areas including climate and tech, and to work constructively with governments to deliver transformational agriculture programs.

This is an initial two year fixed term contract.

Job Introduction

Katapult is an investment company, focused on highly scalable impact tech startups.  The programme currently has 138 companies in its portfolio, spread across 35 countries. Accelerator programs secure a world leading deal flow and strengthen investment in highly-promising impact tech startups from offices in Norway, UK, Mauritius and Rwanda.

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) is working in partnership with Katapult,  Norrsken and SMART Africa to implement Katapult Africa, supporting the startup ecosystem in Rwanda and wider Africa region. Recognising the unique tech and entrepreneurial environment of East Africa and the opportunity for both climate impact and job creation, the Katapult Africa Program seeks to secure  investments for and accelerate agri and climate impact tech startups with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

TBI currently works with governments and leaders in 16 countries in Africa and has been working alongside the government of Rwanda since 2008, building capacity and delivery across government, including in the agriculture and ICT sectors.

Come and work for a growing, dynamic organisation alongside a group of smart, supportive and committed people.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the in-country focal point for Katapult Africa Program team and the liaison with the Government of Rwanda

• Attend regular meetings with Katapult Africa Program team
• Conduct government stakeholder mapping with a focus on the political level and key line ministries to inform Katapult Africa Program engagement, with support from the wider TBI Rwanda team
• Share country and digital agriculture insights and technical analysis as needed; 
• Share digital agriculture/ agritech product design lessons learned and best practice to inform Katapult Africa Program accelerator programs with support from Rwanda and TBI central teams;
• Facilitate Katapult Africa Program engagement with key public and private sector stakeholders, ensuring alignment with government priorities, particularly the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, the Rwanda Development Board and the National Agricultural Export Development Board, to avoid duplication with other initiatives in the ecosystem; and to support improvements in the enabling environment for Small and Medium Enetrprises with support from Rwanda and TBI central teams; and
• Facilitate Katapult Africa Program engagement with TBI subject matter experts across its central teams (especially agriculture and investment) and country specific experts as needed working closely with Rwanda and TBI central teams.

Support the implementation of TBI led activities under the Katapult Africa Program in accordance with the Scope of Work and subgrant agreement with Katapult for the program

• Support the screening process to help identify viable start-ups to scale by providing advice on criteria for selection, alignment with government priorities, themes and ecosystem as well as assessment of capacity, working closely with Rwanda team and TBI central team;  

• Identify government policy areas that would need to be addressed to facilitate scaling of start-ups in Rwanda and East Africa region taking part in Katapult Africa Program; 

• Facilitate engagement with relevant international development partners operating in Rwanda and/or Africa region in the implementation of the Katapult Africa Program;
• Help identify potential regional / global corporates as partners for the Katapult Africa Program;
• Facilitate engagements between Katapult Africa Program start-ups and potential investors in the TBI network (e.g. angel investors, local investors, DFIs, Foundations, etc.); 
• Identify and onboard local / regional / global mentors onto the Katapult Network based on needs of cohort; 
•  Support the Katapult Africa Program team in designing and delivering program content across Katapult Africa Program, including helping to identify regional industry partners to develop and deliver content - leveraging TBI staff in the region with unique knowledge of government and ecosystem;  
• Support Katapult Africa team in designing and delivering Investor Training Program content and in delivering program content drawing on TBI’s own experts and expertise, and TBI’s wider network; 
• Advise Katapult Africa Program team in the process of developing a strategy for the Katapult Africa Funds working closely with TBI Rwanda and TBI central teams, including the Agriculture and Food Practice, the Investment Unit and Tech for Development (T4D);  
• Support TBI central teams in meeting Katapult Africa Program reporting and other contractual requirements through the provision of progress updates;
• Contribute to the development of quarterly and final narrative reports; and
• Support the Katapult Africa Program audit process and support preparations for donor/partner meetings.

Support Katapult Africa Program communications and external engagements

• Support development and dissemination of joint communication pieces showcasing the Katapult Africa Program and start-ups and SMEs through TBI’s website, social media and networks to increase the visibility of the program as well as Katapult communication channels and networks 
• Support Katapult Africa Program team in the development of a convincing value proposition for Katapult Africa Funds;  
• Support on the development of quality marketing materials;  
• Provide selected support to Katapult Africa Funds roadshow / calls; 
• Introduce start-ups and SMEs to investors in TBI’s network to showcase the Katapult Africa Program and the start-ups taking part in the Accelerator.  

Person Specification

TBI is looking to hire an exceptional Agribusiness Advisor to lead the delivery of TBI’s scope of work under the Katapult Africa Program, as part of the wider organisation’s ambition to make a positive difference to the lives of people through highly impactful, technology-enabled development initiatives. The role will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, but may require to travel abroad from time to time.

• A background in agriculture, and agtech. Previous experience of working on a successful agtech accelerator program for either government or a notable private / public sector organisation in Africa is desirable.
• Experience in business development
• Understand government policy planning and development, at the intersection of agriculture, technology and climate.

The successful candidate will join a growing team focused on providing delivery and technical advisory support to Government of Rwanda.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.