Project Assistant – AEDIB 2.0

JOB DETAILS

Direction: Operations

Department: Sustainable and Inclusive Economy (EDI)

Unit: Entrepreneurship and innovation

Type of contract: Fixed-term contract

Contract: Wage portage

Contract duration: initial period of 12 months (renewable for up to 55 months)

Geographical areas of the project: Sub-Saharan Africa

Country of the mission: Rwanda

City of the mission: Kigali

Expected start date: 01/06/2025

Description of the project

Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.

AEDIB 2.0

African European Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB 2.0) is an ambitious regional project that aims to strengthen digital transformation and the green transition between Africa and Europe, with the long-term goal of creating a single market for digital innovation between the two continents. It seeks to position the EU as a key partner for Africa by developing digital businesses, supporting innovation, and building on existing partnerships between the two regions.

The Overall Objective of the Action is to strengthen digital transformation and the green transition in Africa through enhanced partnerships for digital entrepreneurship and innovation in order to integrate them into the sustainable development strategies of African countries.

Consequently, three Specific Objectives (outcomes) have been defined as follows:

• Specific Objective 1: Enhance digital entrepreneurship and innovation policies, by strengthening processes and capacities of policymakers and ecosystem leaders
• Specific Objective 2: Strengthen Digital Innovation Ecosystems for Digital Transformation and Green Transition, by enhancing Innovation Support Organisations’ capacities
• Specific Objective 3: Improve access to finance for innovative (including women-led) ventures supporting Digital Transformation and Green Transition, by enhancing support mechanisms for early-stage and scaling ventures

Consortium structure and key partners :

The project is jointly implemented by six European development agencies and financed by five European donors.

Expertise France leads the consortium and is responsible for the Project Management Unit (PMU), which oversees all project components and ensures coordination among the implementing partners.

The project is scheduled to run from April 15, 2025, to January 31, 2030 (57 months).

JOB DESCRIPTION

As part of the Digital for innovation Team Europe Initiative, funded by the EU and implemented with Expertise France, Enabel, ESTDev, GIZ, Haus Institute and RVO, Expertise France is looking to hire a Project Assistant.

Mission Description

Part of the Project Management Unit based in Kigali (8 people dedicated to AEDIB’s project) and under the hierarchical responsibility of the Team leader, the Project Assistant will support the Project Management Unit in all financial, logistical, , and administrative aspects of the project, working closely with the Project Support Unit based in Kigali.

He/She will work daily with all stakeholders involved in the project.

Key Responsibilities (non-exhaustive list)

His/Her main responsibilities will include:

Administrative Management :

• Assist in the administrative coordination of the Project Management Unit (PMU);
• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external office communications, including emails, appointments and visitor coordination
• Handling administrative tasks and formatting working documents
• Updating existing dashboards and project monitoring tools
• Submitting documents for signature
• Ensures compliance with the project filing plan and ensures correct archiving of all the project documentation

Financial Management :

• Is focal point for suppliers in receiving invoices after delivery
• Collect invoices, check their accuracy and ensure completeness of supporting file before sending to payments at the Project Support Unit
• Prepare the project cashflow forecast to ensure availability of funds into the Project Support Unit
• Support with the preparation of budgets and budget tracking if needed
• Assist in preparing financial documentation for internal and external audits, providing necessary explanations and supporting materials
• Assist the Team Leader in updating the monthly financial follow-up generated by the Project Support Unit, check its accuracy and help with the yearly budget planning

Logistics Management :

• Coordinate all aspects of transportation for project team members, including travel bookings, reservations, visa applications, transportation to/from airports, hotels, and meeting locations
• Organize and monitor travel expenses and ensure that they align with project policies;
• Is focal point for the project in expressing workshop organization needs to the Project Support Unit
• Help to organize logistical support for project events, including seminars, workshops, training sessions, steering committees, and project missions (e.g., coordinating venues, arranging meals, liaising with service providers)
• Help to organize and ensure the smooth execution of missions: travel arrangements (air tickets, per diem), security instructions, liaison with the French embassies in the visited countries, preparation of participants' files, management of relations with service providers (hotel, meals, translation services, etc.)
• Help to provide logistical coordination for urgent expert missions or regional events as required

DESIRED PROFILE

• Higher education degree (Bac+2/3) in accounting, administrative, and financial management
• Strong proficiency in office tools (Excel and Word, primarily)
• Good understanding of tools and technologies used in travel management
• Ability to respond quickly to urgent situations
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage priorities
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset
• Adaptability to different working environments
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Minimum of three years of experience in a similar position preferred

 WHAT WE OFFER

• Exciting work in an international environment
• A 12-month contract, renewable up to January 2030 based in Kigali, Rwanda, with possible missions/trips in Sub-Saharan Africa
• The exact remuneration will be defined according to the experience recognized for the position

Planned Start Date: June 2025

How to apply:

GEX Link : https://expertise-france.gestmax.fr/12964/1/project-assistant-h-f/en_US

Deadline: 28th April 2025

We reserve the right to commence recruitment interviews before the closing date of this advertisement.