Laboratory Specialist at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA)

About CNFA

CNFA is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 47 countries around the world. 

Program Description

CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of Laboratory Specialist to support a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Rwanda, dubbed Haranira Ubuziranenge. Haranira Ubuziranenge, which translates to “ensuring or striving for safety” in Kinyarwanda, aims to strengthen the capacities of public and private stakeholders in Rwanda to develop, enforce, and adopt international science-based food safety standards. To achieve this goal, the Project will implement interventions across three key components: 1) Strengthening Food Safety Frameworks and Government Institutions; 2) Enhanced Laboratory Technical Capacity in Testing, Inspection, and Certification; and 3) Increased Food Safety Awareness and Capacity Building of Producers.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Food Safety Director, the Laboratory Specialist will coordinate and support implementation of the laboratory capacity building initiative, to ensure the planned activities are executed in an efficient and timely manner. This position is based in Kigali.

• Facilitating Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) to develop the capacity building action plan
• Facilitating AOAC to conduct the gap assessment for food testing laboratories assessing capabilities, standards, and performance in line with good laboratory practices (GLP)
• Facilitating RSB and AOAC to conduct the Laboratory Performance Benchmarking Program (LPBP) and the Laboratory Proficiency Testing (PT) Program
• Facilitating RSB and the AOAC Consultant to implement the Laboratory training and coaching activities, including tailored training programs informed by the gap assessment
• Organizing the food safety capacity building initiatives for SMEs
• Carrying out any other duties as assigned by CNFA

All interested and qualified Candidate can send their application (motivation letter, updated CV and references) documents to recruit@cnfa-rwanda.org