Job Opportunity: Local Peace Advisor (LOPA) – Prison Fellowship Rwanda

Position: Local Peace Advisor (LOPA)
Location: Kirehe
Contract Type: 9 Months contract/ April until 31^st December 2025 (renewable based on performance and funding)
Reporting to: Director of Programs
Expected Start Date: 8^th April 2025

About Prison Fellowship Rwanda

Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a non-profit organization working with the government of Rwanda and both local and international organizations to foster peacebuilding, unity, reconciliation, mental health and psychosocial support, access to justice, crime prevention, human rights promotion, and socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable people in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and its aftermath.

Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded on 01/07/1995, affiliated with Prison Fellowship International in 1997, and officially registered and recognized by Ministerial Order No. 037/17 of 23/10/2002 by the Ministry of Justice as a non-profit organization, with its registration published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda in 2002.

PFR envisions a society where unity, peace and justice reign and has a mission to contribute to the social transformation of vulnerable communities through peacebuilding, livelihood, justice, psychosocial and spiritual resilience interventions.

Prison Fellowship Rwanda, in partnership with GIZ Rwanda’s Civil Peace Service (ZFD) Refugee and Host Community program (for more information see here), is implementing a peacebuilding project focused on making high-quality MHPSS services available and used by members of refugee camps and host communities of Mahama refugee camp.

Prison Fellowship Rwanda will achieve this through capacity-building of stakeholders and key persons within Mahama camp and host communities, particularly conducting training of trainers who will facilitate MHPSS services and promote peacebuilding. Additionally, PFR will contribute to knowledge sharing and joint advocacy with other partners operating within Mahama camp and host communities.

To support this initiative, Prison Fellowship Rwanda is hiring a Local Peace Advisor (LOPA) to oversee project management, implementation, coordination, reporting, capacity-building, and strategic advisory on MHPSS and peacebuilding.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Coordination

• Lead the overall planning, implementation, and monitoring of the peacebuilding and MHPSS transformative project.
• Ensure effective coordination between PFR, ZFD/GIZ, and key stakeholders.
• Conduct frequent field visits to Mahama and other refugee camps and other PFR’s project sites to oversee project implementation.
• Ensure the project is implemented in alignment with donor requirements and PFR’s strategic objectives and policies.
• Work closely with PFR’s program, MEL, and finance teams to ensure smooth project execution and timely reporting.

MHPSS Advisory

• Serve as PFR’s expert on MHPSS and peacebuilding
• Provide technical advice to promote MHPSS quality services and peaceful coexistence to refugee and host community from Mahama
• Support the design and adaptation of MHPSS interventions tailored for refugee and host communities.
• Analyze emerging trends, risks, and challenges related to MHPSS and peacebuilding, and provide recommendations for adaptive programming.

Capacity Building & Training Development

• Develop and adapt training modules and materials on MHPSS and peacebuilding.
• Organize and facilitate MHPSS and peacebuilding training sessions for PFR staff, local and opinion leaders, community trainers, and project beneficiaries.
• Provide ongoing technical support and coaching to the training of trainers (ToTs) who will facilitate ongoing MHPSS sessions and trainings in Mahama Refugee Camp and the host communities.

Reporting, Documentation & Learning

• Develop high-quality reports, success stories, and lessons learned for PFR and ZFD/GIZ.
• Collaborate with the MEL officer to conduct monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities to assess the project impact.
• Document best practices and case studies for knowledge sharing and program improvement.
• Provide policy recommendations on integrating peacebuilding and MHPSS-transformative approaches into national frameworks.

 Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as PFR’s primary liaison with ZFD/GIZ, ensuring effective communication and alignment with project goals.
• Strengthen partnerships with government agencies, refugee camp authorities, UNHCR, local peace organizations, and community leaders.
• Represent PFR in peacebuilding and MHPSS forums at local, national, and regional levels.

Required Qualifications & Experience

 Education:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Sciences, or related fields.

 Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in MHPSS and peacebuilding programming, preferably in an NGO, humanitarian, or development setting.
• Experience in training development, facilitation, and capacity building on MHPSS.
• Strong understanding of MHPSS and community-based peacebuilding.
• Experience working with refugee communities, youth, SGBV survivors, and local leaders is a strong advantage.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• Excellent training and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong writing and reporting skills, including donor reporting.
• Ability to work independently and travel frequently to the field.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda (French is an asset).

What PFR Offers

• Competitive salary and benefits aligned with experience and qualifications.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment
• Opportunity to work with a dedicated team committed to the empowerment of vulnerable communities and refugees through MHPSS and peacebuilding interventions.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development, including capacity-building training and exposure to local and international peacebuilding practices.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

?  A cover letter (max 1 page) explaining why they are a suitable candidate.

? An updated CV with three professional references.

? Samples of past work (if available, such as reports, training modules, or publications).

? Degree, ID/passport and other certificates, recommendation letters from your previous employer.

? mention the title of the position “Local Peace Advisor” in the subject line of the email.

The application should be addressed to the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Rwanda and the documents should be in one PDF format.

Send your application to: recruitment@pfrwanda.org  

Deadline for Applications: 31th March 2025 at 5pm sharp

Start Date: 8^th April 2024