Job Description

Posted 5 months ago

In line with our growing agricultural lending portfolio and new focus on climate-smart and green financing, we are seeking a highly motivated and field-oriented Agronomist. This role is critical in supporting our new and existing financing products tailored for agriculture, agroforestry, and regenerative practices under programs like SUSTAIN-AF, implemented within the framework of Sustainable Forestry and Efficient Renewable Energy (SFERE), a strategic partnership with ADA Luxembourg and CIFOR-ICRAF.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that INKUNGA FINANCE Plc’s financial services are technically sound, farmer-centered, and sustainable, helping to drive smallholder productivity, income diversification, and rural resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Technical and Agronomic Advisory

• Provide technical assistance to farmers and INKUNGA FINANCE Plc’s field staff in climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry systems, and sustainable land use.
• Promote tree-crop-livestock integration, mixed cropping, soil conservation practices, conservation and regenerative agriculture to enhance farm productivity and ecological health.
• Support farmers in selecting the right tree and crop species combinations based on agro-ecological zones and market needs.

Field Monitoring and Farmer Support

• Conduct regular farm visits and technical assessments to guide loan design and analysis, monitor financed activities, and provide corrective recommendations.
• Assist in pre-loan disbursement evaluations and post-loan disbursement support to ensure sound implementation and productive use of agri-loans.
• Ensure that financed practices are aligned with INKUNGA FINANCE Plc’s environmental, climate-smart and social sustainability principles.

Product Development and Institutional Learning

• Work with the lending/ operations team to integrate agronomic insights into loan product design and delivery.
• Contribute to the development of training tools, crop/ tree factsheets, extension materials, and community outreach programs to promote sustainable farming.
• Assist in documenting lessons learned, case studies, and success stories for internal learning and stakeholder reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with development partners (such as ADA and ICRAF), local governance and other local partners.
• Facilitate technical training, demo plots, or community meetings to strengthen farmer awareness and adoption of agroforestry and climate-resilient practices.
• Support the identification of local value chain actors and off-takers to improve market linkages for agroforestry and agri-produce.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agroforestry, Agricultural Sciences, agri-business or related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• At least 3 years of practical experience working with smallholder farmers in agroforestry, agricultural extension, regenerative, conservation or climate-smart agriculture.
• Sound knowledge of regenerative agriculture, landscape stabilization, soil water conservation, soil fertility management, and tree-based farming systems.
• Strong field experience and familiarity with farming systems in Rwanda’s Western Province.
• Proven ability to design and deliver farmer training, technical field support, and advisory services.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills in Kinyarwanda and English. French is a plus.
• Highly self-driven, with an excellent self-initiation attribute, organized, and results-driven.
• Strong digital literacy (MS Office, Google Workspace, GPS or mapping tools).
• Driving license cat. A.

Key Competencies and Attributes

• Passionate about working with smallholder farmers and improving rural livelihoods.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with multi-stakeholder teams.
• Self-motivated,
• Sensitive to environmental and gender inclusion issues in agriculture.Comfortable with regular travel within western province and other operational areas.
• Equal or less than 40 years old
• Have a good track and sound character in working with financial institutions.

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to shape the future of inclusive financing in Rwanda.
• Be part of a purpose-driven team committed to transforming rural livelihoods.
• Competitive remuneration package based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunities for professional growth within a fast-growing MFI embracing innovation and sustainability.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit Job application via e-mail: recruitment@inkungafinance.com(You will get a reply to confirm the reception of your application). Only a single document (PDF format) will be received.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 28, 2025 at 11h 59 local time;

The job application file must contain:

1. An application letter addressed to the Managing Director;
2. Well detailed Curriculum vitae;
3. A copy of the identity card;
4. A copy of the degree;
5. A proof of previous experience
6. A copy of driving license for Loan officer and agronomist candidates.

Note: internal staff fulfilling the requirements are allowed to apply.

The shortlisted candidates for written exam will be published not later than June 3^rd 2025 at 17h30 via the website: https://inkungafinance.com

Tagged as: Inkunga Finance Plc