Help a Child Jobs in Rwanda feb 2013

Help a Child is international non-governmental from the Netherlands operating in Rwanda. Help A Child has been working for more than 40 years to offer hope for the future to impoverished children and their families in Asia and Africa. Help a Child in partnership with its local partners, University of Amsterdam and Edukans has been awarded funding by UKAID through Innovation for Education (IfE) for the following project : Improving the Quality of Education through Active Learning in Rwanda.

Innovation for Education is an opportunity to test new ideas to improve the quality of education in Rwanda. The aim is to demonstrate effective and equitable ways of improving children’s learning. Civil society and the private sector will be supported to pilot innovative projects with the potential to be adopted by the government and implemented on a nation-wide scale. Help a Child seeks to appoint the following staff for the Improving Quality of Education through Active Learning project.

1. Project Coordinator

Responsibilities :

• Coordinate the implementation of the Improving the Quality of Education through Active Learning project in Rwanda.
• Together with the Regional Representative develop annually and quarterly implementation work plans
• Conduct baseline surveys and assessments that form the basis for developing the projects in relation to teachers, TTC tutor training and capacity building of government officials
• Conduct regular field monitoring visit and supervising 3 project workers • Advise project officers and partners on program quality, targets and appropriateness of expenditures
• Produce monthly donor reports and submit these for approval ;
• Develop relationships with key partners including Ministry of Education, UKAID, local NGOs implementing the project to ensure successful implementation of the project ;
• Ensure that sound project monitoring tools are developed and applied such that project progress (activities and outputs), results (outcomes) and impacts are systematically tracked, documented and shared as appropriate
• Conduct capacity building for local NGOs and other stakeholders i.e. TTC and government education officials at district level
• Work with partner organizations to identify issues that require advocacy interventions and facilitate the necessary linkages with government and other agencies
• Ensure efficient management of financial resources, including the review and program approval of partner financial and narrative reports. Monitoring expenses of the entire project against spending plans and according to donor and Help a Child policies.
• Abiding to Help a Child’s Christian core values

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in education, international development, social science and other relevant field or a Minimum of 5 years experience of managing, designing and implementing education projects and working with local and international partners ;
• Ability to manage programs and deliver capacity development to partner organizations including government departments. Good understanding and experience of programme management cycle ;
• Experience in program conducting monitoring and evaluation including the use of lessons to modify programming as necessary in order to meet project targets and objectives .
• Demonstrated skills and experience in writing up high quality donor reports
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching ;
• Flexible, pro-active, and open-minded work style : the ability to work productively both independently and in a team-based environment ;
• Ability to adopt a professional and diplomatic approach in creating strong relationships with all internal and external stakeholders ;
• Knowledge and understanding of development issues ;
• Ability to priorities ;
• Strong organizational skills ;
• Strong computer skills and good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of key DFID/UKAID regulations and experience with DFID funding is a plus.

2. Project Officers (3)

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator, the incumbent will contribute to the daily management of the project in identified Teacher Training Colleges and primary schools in collaboration with local partners. Assists in the coordination of the project ; including planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and networking with other stakeholders. Specific duties and responsibilities include :

• Ensuring the project is conducted according to pre-set Work Plans including coordination with project coordinator and local partners
• Monitoring project activities and providing monthly field reports
• Providing training and technical backstopping to schools, Teacher Training Colleges and district officials in charge of education
• Tracking project activities to ensure they are progressing as per schedule/scope and budget plus providing monthly field reports
• Assisting in the coordination of partnerships at field level by maintaining regular contacts with concerned partners and promoting project linkages with stakeholders
• Assisting in project data collecting, analyzing, report writing updating and participating into the preparation of briefs for donors and internal use
• Undertaking the elaboration of work Plans and timelines as guided by the project coordinator
• Abiding to Help a Child’s Christian core values

Qualifications and Experience

• Equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree in education/ development, social sciences and other closely related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in implementing education related projects
• Proven experience in conducting baseline surveys and collecting field data using different methodologies
• Proven ability to deliver projects in line with proposals, budgets and timelines ;
• Strong experience in project coordination, and dealing with internal and external partners and networks.
• Ability to work in a team and maintain effective working relationships with people of different backgrounds ;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan ; ability to work under pressure, respecting tight deadlines and delivering on the standards required.
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills, both oral and written including good organizational skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Kinyarwanda, French will be an added advantage

How to Apply

Interested qualified candidates should send Application letter and CVs before the 17th of February 2013 to malvern.chikanya@redeenkind.nl with a copy to marga.beukers@redeenkind.nl . Applications should indicate Project Coordinator or Project Officer in the subject, according to the position applied. Please note this is a 28 months project and contacts will be subject to the same duration. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the 18th of February 2013.