Position: Project Officer

Vacant position: One (1)

Type of contract: Fixed term

Working location: Kigali

Supervisor: Head of Projects and RBM

Deadline: 21^st February, 2025

Context of the position: 

SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is an independent member association affiliated to the SOS Federation. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda leverages existing community resources to strengthen quality childcare and protection through a holistic continuum of care tailored to orphans, vulnerable children, and their families. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda actively advocates for the promotion of childcare and child protection. In Rwanda, SOS Children’s Villages operate in four locations based in Gasabo, Gicumbi, Kayonza and Nyamagabe Districts. In order to further fulfil the above-mentioned responsibilities, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is seeking for a competent Project Officer, based in Kigali

JOB PURPOSE

Project Officer/Lead will be responsible for the overall coordination, supervision and reporting of all activities related to the project “Iterambere Iwacu” to ensure that the project’s objectivities and results are achieved in a timely manner and according to the agreed standards in the project framework and in the related grant agreement document.

PRIORITY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of partnership agreement

• Read and understand the Partnership Agreement (PA) signed between SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda and HGFD
• Liaise with International Partnership Development (IPD) Manager in case there are issues involving changes of the PA signed with the donor (change in target group/project beneficiaries, activities, budget, staff and timeline)
• Seek donor’s approval before implementing any changes in the signed PA
• Ensure proper documentation of requests and approvals of changes in the PA
• Liaise with IPD Manager in case you are to process cost/non-cost extension, Addendum of the PA, or other IPD related matters
• Keep IPD Manager, Head of Projects & RBM and Programs Director copied in all communications addressing contract management issues

Financial Management & donor grant requirements compliance

• Responsible for proper management of project grants
• Responsible for budgeting / budget revision / liquidity plan tasks
• Monitor budgets and speed up spending to avoid unnecessary underspending or overspending
• Process requests for budget reallocation if need be and inquire donor approvals
• Set up clear measures mitigating budget underspending or overspending
• Regularly monitor actuals versus budgets (BVAs)
• Liaise with the Grant Accountant and ensure regular posting of support documents in the system
• Compile donor reports and process reviews by the FS program Manager, Head of Projects & RBM & Programs Director before submission to the donor
• Ensure timely submission of donor reports (Project Narrative, Financial on Monthly, Quarterly, Annual basis)
• Keep IPD Manager and Head of Projects & RBM & Programs Director copied in all communications (e.g. emails, teams call) addressing issues related to donor grant requirement compliance
• Ensure proper use of project assets including Project car, camera, laptops, etc
• Follow up on donor enquiries, read and support the Head of Projects & RBM in responding to emails

Coordination & delivery of project activities

• Ensure Project Team has good understanding of core project documents including full proposal (IMPACT Matrix), targets, outcomes, approved budget, log frame, etc
• Oversee planning, monitoring and implementation of all project activities
• Master project activities and ensure timely implementation & completion of activities
• Ensure good collaboration with project stakeholders including government institutions, Ministry of Gender and Family Planning (MIGEPROF), National Child Development Agency (NCDA), local authorities, community structures (e.g. Inshuti Z’ Umuryango), schools, etc
• Represent SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda in government forums (e.g. JADF) and Child Protection Technical Working Groups
• In support of the Head of Projects, M&E Manager, programs Director, draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the recruitment of external consultants
• Ensure proper collaboration with external consultants who support in Baseline, End line Evaluation
• Monitor the work of external consultants and liaise with M&E Manager & Programs Director if there are any issues
• Conduct knowledge gaps assessment and contribute to capacity building of project team
• Supervise the work of Project Team (e.g. Field Officers and the Driver, Volunteers) and conduct Performance Appraisal
• Be proactive to inform Head of Projects & RBM and IPD Manager of any challenges met during project implementation
• Set up a clear plan for EXIT PLAN (e.g. identification of local NGO to handover project interventions) and submit Project Closure Report
• Work hand in hand with the Project implementing partner (Give Directly)
• Performs any other duties assigned by supervisor to build synergy with other SOS Team Members

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Management, Business Administration, with three (3) successive years working with International NGOs and managing projects funded by international donors and donor reporting including three (3) years proven experience in Leadership and Project Management
• Having a Master ‘s Degree will be an added value

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Good understanding of international child right frameworks, child safeguarding, mental health and psychosocial support
• Prior experience managing children-focussed interventions will be an added value
• Ability to build networks, work independently, self-organised, innovative, fulfil commitments and meet deadline.
• A team Leader, result-oriented and flexible to deliver with tight deadlines
• Ability to develop guidelines and tools and oversee their implementation
• Strong Skills in project cycle management (planning, monitoring and reporting)
• Organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda. Good communication in French will be added value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English is a requirement.

How to apply

The interested Candidates in this position should send a detailed Curriculum Vitae with three (3) traceable professional references, application letter , Rwandan national Identity Card and academic certificates/degrees to sos.recruitment@sos-rwanda.org and properly fill the application form found via the following LINK by not later than 21^st February, 2025 at 5:00 pm Kigali time.

Please mention in the subject of your email “Project Officer”.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda/ International holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes”. 

Done in Kigali on 14^th February, 2025.

Jean Bosco KWIZERA

National Director