Background

The Rice Council of Tanzania (RCT) is an apex body representing private sector stakeholders in the rice industry, including farmers, input suppliers, processors, traders, service providers, financiers, researchers, consumer organizations, bankers associations, and NGOs. RCT is seeking a highly qualified Senior Policy Analyst to lead evidence-based policy advocacy and influence government decision-making to support a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable rice industry.

Role Overview

Position: Senior Policy Analyst – Policy, Research & Advocacy

Organization: Rice Council of Tanzania (RCT)

Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Reporting to: Executive Director

Contract Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

Policy Research and Analysis

• Review, analyze, and interpret government policies, legislation, and regulations affecting the rice industry.
• Clarify government policy objectives relevant to the rice subsector and identify conflicts, risks, and unintended consequences.
• Identify, prioritize, and monitor policy issues threatening rice industry growth and competitiveness.
• Organize, coordinate, and conduct research on rice industry policy issues.
• Prepare analytical reports on rice-related policy issues, including agricultural trade policy.

Policy Development and Advocacy

• Design viable policy packages and strategies to secure government support and enhance industry effectiveness.
• Draft and advocate clear, persuasive policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy messages on sensitive policy issues.
• Take the lead in drafting RCT policy position papers.
• Position RCT as a leading stakeholder and authoritative voice on rice policy matters.
• Represent RCT in policy dialogues, industry meetings, conferences, and learning events.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government institutions, advocacy platforms, research agencies, civic bodies, and private sector partners.
• Consult widely with stakeholders to strengthen evidence-based advocacy.
• Develop strategies to inform RCT members on advocacy activities, outcomes, and implications using multimedia platforms.
• Support rice policy learning events for government and private sector audiences.

Planning, Reporting, and Management

• Develop and submit monthly policy activity plans and progress reports to the Executive Director.
• Draft weekly policy updates for inclusion in RCT Board updates.
• Advise Knowledge, Learning, Communications, and M&E teams on metrics to track rice policy processes.
• Support data collection, analysis, and reporting on advocacy outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Agriculture Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in policy analysis, research, and advocacy.
• Proven experience in policy formulation, evaluation, and applied research.
• Experience in agriculture, agribusiness, trade, or value chain policy analysis is a strong advantage.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of research methodology, evaluation techniques, and statistics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel); experience with statistical and data analysis software is an added advantage.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and interpret policy implications.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to develop practical, evidence-based policy solutions.
• Advocacy: Ability to engage policymakers and stakeholders persuasively on sensitive issues.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Grant Writing: Ability to write donor-funded project proposals and defend them is an added advantage.

• Review, analyze, and interpret government policies, legislation, and regulations affecting the rice industry.
• Clarify government policy objectives relevant to the rice subsector and identify conflicts, risks, and unintended consequences.
• Identify, prioritize, and monitor policy issues threatening rice industry growth and competitiveness.
• Organize, coordinate, and conduct research on rice industry policy issues.
• Prepare analytical reports on rice-related policy issues, including agricultural trade policy.
• Design viable policy packages and strategies to secure government support and enhance industry effectiveness.
• Draft and advocate clear, persuasive policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy messages on sensitive policy issues.
• Take the lead in drafting RCT policy position papers.
• Position RCT as a leading stakeholder and authoritative voice on rice policy matters.
• Represent RCT in policy dialogues, industry meetings, conferences, and learning events.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government institutions, advocacy platforms, research agencies, civic bodies, and private sector partners.
• Consult widely with stakeholders to strengthen evidence-based advocacy.
• Develop strategies to inform RCT members on advocacy activities, outcomes, and implications using multimedia platforms.
• Support rice policy learning events for government and private sector audiences.
• Develop and submit monthly policy activity plans and progress reports to the Executive Director.
• Draft weekly policy updates for inclusion in RCT Board updates.
• Advise Knowledge, Learning, Communications, and M&E teams on metrics to track rice policy processes.
• Support data collection, analysis, and reporting on advocacy outcomes.

• Advanced knowledge of research methodology, evaluation techniques, and statistics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel); experience with statistical and data analysis software is an added advantage.
• Strong ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and interpret policy implications.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to develop practical, evidence-based policy solutions.
• Ability to engage policymakers and stakeholders persuasively on sensitive issues.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to write donor-funded project proposals and defend them is an added advantage.

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Agriculture Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in policy analysis, research, and advocacy.
• Proven experience in policy formulation, evaluation, and applied research.
• Experience in agriculture, agribusiness, trade, or value chain policy analysis is a strong advantage.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects.