SAVING FOR TRANSFORMATION SPECIALIST

World Vision is a child-focused Christian humanitarian organization implementing development programs in 30 Districts of Rwanda. Our interventions in the strategic period of 2021-2025 seek to reach 2 million of the most vulnerable children. This is done through programming in Resilience and Livelihoods, WASH and Health, Child Protection and Education.

World Vision Rwanda seeks to hire a highly qualified, dedicated, and experienced Rwandan national for the role of Saving for Transformation Specialist and join an established and experienced team. This stimulating position incorporates a range of skills and development in multiple areas, allowing for an exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, global organization. It will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, and reports to the Economic Development Manager.

Purpose of the position:

The role of the Saving for Transformation Specialist is to provide technical leadership and support to the THRIVE 2030 Project efforts in the establishment and scale-up, monitoring, evaluation, and/or strengthening of Savings for Transformation (S4T) groups within WVR operation areas for more impactful and sustainable transformational development. The S4T Specialist will be responsible for technically supporting the Area Program, Clusters, and Implementing Partners to sensitize the community to enhance the formation, training, and reporting of the S4T portfolio. With the strategic guidance and support from the THRIVE 2030, Regional Integration Manager, ICT, and Dream Start Labs partner, ensure all existing S4T groups are digitized, the new groups start digital and the data is 100% backed up. In addition, where mature WVR S4T groups already exist, ensure Empowered World View (EWV)training is done 100% with strategic guidance from the Local Value Chain Development and EWV Integration Managers. When S4T groups are ready for microfinance linkages, in alignment with minimum standards, facilitate the Finance Accelerating Savings Transformation (FAST) Group linkages with Vision Fund Rwanda. He/she will ensure S4T quality standards are adhered to according to WVR and donor requirements.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Activities

Support high quality role out of S4Ts Implementation in THRIVE 2030 Project

• Facilitate results-based planning, implementation and monitoring of S4T interventions to ensure improved households and child wellbeing especially the most vulnerable.
• Ensure 100% targeting and mobilization of all THRIVE 2030 HHs with Savings methodology across target APs and clusters
• Ensure 100% compliance to S4T minimum standards including reviews of constitutions for alignment to THRIVE 2030 expectations
• In collaboration with the BEWV Specialist, ensure each 100% BEWV training to all S4T group members and that they develop a Household business and a plan/strategy for follow-up and continuous training is put in place.
• Provide technical support to ensure that all S4T groups undertake financial literacy and  budgeting for child wellbeing training for child protection within 6 months of S4T group formation
• Closely work with the iMSD/LVCD coordinator to ensure that Mature S4T groups not yet linked to FAST undertake training on iMSD within 6 months of starting a new cycle of a S4T group with new groups trained after they finish one cycle. Provide technical support to THRIVE 2030 implementing teams on the effective formation and operation of Saving for Transformation Groups to ensure their viability and effectiveness.
• In collaboration with the ICT Integrations Manager, explore opportunities to adopt the Dream Save app and digitize all S4T groups in the THRIVE 2030 project
• Deliberately create synergies and resource leverage with all World Vision Clusters and Projects, ensure that S4T is well coordinated, and contribute to WVR ministry impact.
• Facilitate linkage of the World Vision Saving for Transformation Groups, and Producer Group to Financial Institutions specifically Vision Fund.
• Capacity building to Resilience and Livelihood team, frontline staff, partners, and community members on global updates as well as implementation and better ways of performing different livelihood interventions.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting

• Guide the AP and Cluster teams to develop cohesive goals, strategies and annual work plans and Targets towards the national Life of Program S4T targets
• Support periodic budget reviews to ensure efficient and effective utilization of the resources for the implementation of S4T Projects
• Support recruitment/identification, coaching  and mentoring of Project staff and community agents on S4T and FAST methodology
• Determine the technical capacity needs of the AP staff and community agents to identify opportunities for further impact
• Test and adapt, in collaboration with program colleagues, the technical program theory of change.
• Maintains and updates S4T database/records including LMMS, Horizon, and Dream Save for an informed decision, sustainability and replication of livelihood initiatives.
• Ensure 100% Dream save data backup for WVR S4T groups
• Conduct annual S4T readiness assessments for S4T groups in cycle 2 and above to Identify groups ready for FAST linkages latest during the last Quarter (3 months) prior to the next fiscal year when FAST rollout is scheduled
• Collaboratively with Vision Fund to develop, implement and monitor a strategic plan for FAST roll out across the project period (FY 25-FY30)
• Work with DME to develop and implement the programme’s impact measurement system, including collection of baseline and periodic data for tracking programme performance and decision-making.
• Ensure preparation of quality S4T progress reports as per established timelines and submit to the relevant bodies in World Vision NO and SOs.  
• Plan and facilitate project periodic review meeting to assess progress, adjust plans, and draw/disseminate lessons learned on S4T portfolio;
• Organise and conduct reflective learning forums (quarterly reflection meetings, workshops, etc) internally and externally with project stakeholders.

Ensure Visibility and Networking in regards to financial inclusion

• Undertake networking with WV partnership, relevant government authorities, and other like-minded organizations on all issues related to the establishment, capacity building and legal framework to keep the organization informed and engaged on new developments in financial inclusion,
• In collaboration with the Communications team, facilitate documentation and sharing of processes, challenges, best practices and lessons learned among THRIVE 2030 Project and Clusters.
• Represent World Vision in various national and international learning and sharing meetings/workshops/conferences related to financial inclusion.
• In collaboration with Advocacy and communications, facilitate commemoration and attendance of WV in S4T-related events such as exhibitions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Minimum education, training, and experience requirements to qualify for the position:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Entrepreneurship, Social Work, Rural Development, Development Studies, Microfinance and Saving Groups,Sociology, Gender, Community Development,
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda & English.
• At least 5 years or more of relevant work experience in financial inclusion especially working with Saving Group models
• Demonstrated experience in financial linkage.
• Strong experience in networking, community mobilization, and facilitation.
• Report writing experience.
• Demonstrated experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of Saving Groups projects.
• Commitment to implementing WV’s vision and mission at all levels and in all aspects of the project.
• Relevant teamwork experience and good interpersonal skills,
• Experience in working with different partners.
• Mature Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Preferred – Knowledge of life skills development for youth.
• A good understanding of the Rwanda multi-sectoral approach to graduating people out of poverty.
• Sound knowledge of the Rwanda Resilience and Livelihood programming context
• Strong project management skills
• Strong capacity building skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Belief in World Vision’s vision, mission, and core values

Salary:

The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

NB: Women are highly encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Should you wish to apply for this position, please go:

 If this is your first time applying online via the World Vision International careers website, you will need to register an account along with your application details. This site will provide you with additional functionality, such as saved searches and email alerts. Registration requires minimal information to create your account. Further details will be collected during the application process.

All applicants must apply using our online application system, CVs received via email or standard post will NOT be considered.

In case you face any challenges in applying, please let us know at wvrwanda-recruitment@wvi.org (no applications will be accepted through this email).

The closing date for submission of applications is 20^th November 2024; no late applications will be accepted. World Vision is committed to adult and child safeguarding and does not employ staff whose background is not suitable for working with children and vulnerable adults. All employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks, including criminal record checks.

Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.