Spark Project Manager (PM) Private Sector Development , Rwanda

SPARK is a growing, young, dynamic development NGO with 80 staff members in offices in Amsterdam, Belgrade, Bujumbura, Juba, Kigali, Monrovia, Mitrovica, Pristina and Ramallah. SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their post-conflict society into prosperity.

SPARK is achieving its mission by organizing business plan competitions, business skills training, SME coaching & mentoring, business incubation, SME financing, intensive higher vocational summer courses, curriculum development and quality assurance at universities and higher vocational education institutions.

SPARK is currently looking for a: Project Manager (PM) Private Sector Development Based in: Rwanda F / M – full time

The position is created within the Private Sector Development Program at SPARK. Through its PSD program, SPARK works on three objectives; 1) poverty reduction (job creation) through starting and growing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Youth Employment/Entrepreneurship Development. 2) partner capacity building to enhance local entrepreneurship development services, 3) reducing barriers to doing business. The activities are implemented by local partners and supported by SPARK. The Project Manager is part of a larger team (project officer and finance officer) working closely together towards realization activities and reports to the Rwanda/Burundi Country Manager stationed in Burundi. He/she works from Rwanda.

The Project Manager (PM) operates on a national level and officially represents SPARK in Rwanda. The PM may be involved in other thematic programs or projects in Rwanda. The PM is responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation of projects at a national level. The PM manages project officers and other local SPARK staff in the country. The PM coaches and trains local SPARK staff and partners staff. In collaboration with other SPARK offices and HQ, the PM manages and works on project development and acquisition.

Main tasks and Responsibilities: • Management and coordination of activities on national level in the field of private sector / agri-business development; • Plan, monitor and evaluate projects on country level; • Provide draft reports on country level; • Manage HR for the country office(s); • Coordinate and synchronize the activities of the international and local partners’ involvement on national level; • Supporting and monitoring local partners’ responsibilities (narrative and financial reporting) to Spark; • Coach staff in Project Cycle Management; • Budget control of projects and local partners related to Spark activities; • Project development and acquisition/fundraising within the Spark development focus • Donor communication (both formal/informal) on national level; • Provide input to the Spark strategy on country level based on dynamic/continued contextual analysis and progress regarding project implementation • Provide input to external communication (website) and promo material

Requirements and skills: • MA/MSc level education in a relevant field; • 3 years proven work experience with private sector and/or agri-business development; • Large scale project (cycle) management experience (> 1 million euro), incl. evaluation methodologies, impact analysis and use of management information systems; • Proven experience working with partner organisations; • Experience working in developing countries essential with experience in (post) conflict countries and or East Africa/Rwanda a distinct advantage; • Very good verbal and written language skills in English, Dutch is an asset; • Good communication and social skills and ability to (net)work in multicultural settings; • Good team worker while able to work independently; • Project development and acquisition/fundraising track record an asset.

SPARK Offers: • Contract for 40 hours per week • One year contract with possibility for extension • International and dynamic working experience • Training opportunities;

How to apply:

If you are interested, please email your letter of motivation and your CV in English to vacancy@spark-online.org before November 25th 2012 (Reference: Project Manager Private Sector Development Rwanda). For more information about the vacancy, contact Karen Blanken at tel. +31 (0)20 7530277.