Terms of Reference

Skills development coordinator – Rwanda

Title: Skills development coordinator, Swisscontact Rwanda

Project: Dual+ for Rural – Skills development and labour market integration for vulnerable rural youth

Location: Kigali, Rwanda, with regular travels upcountry

Expected Assignment Period: June 2025 – December 2025 (Full Time), with option of renewal until 2027, based on performance (level B)

Persons Responsible:

Country Director Swisscontact Rwanda

Overview

Swisscontact – the Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation, is an independent non-profit foundation based in Zürich, founded in 1959 by leading figures from the Swiss private sector and Swiss universities. It is exclusively involved in international development, active in 41 countries with 133 programs and more than 1,300 staff members. At the heart of all Swisscontact’s work stands the private sector and its crucial role in achieving more inclusive economic growth.

Our development work focuses on unleashing the potential of private initiatives in developing and emerging countries. We foster sustainable and inclusive economic development with the objective of improving living standards, creating jobs, and bettering the quality of life for all people. Our involvement is based on three foundational pillars: We strengthen the competitiveness of individuals so they can improve their opportunities for employment; we enhance the competitiveness of companies to help them grow; and we promote socio-economic systems that favour comprehensive development in the affected regions.

Swisscontact has been operating in Rwanda since 2012. Building on the organization’s regional and global experience and contributing to Rwanda’s transformation agenda, Swisscontact in Rwanda focuses on skills development, sustainable agriculture, and entrepreneurship for the green transition. Swisscontact is currently recruiting for key positions in an anticipated project, mainly financed by a private foundation from Switzerland.

Purpose

The Skills development coordinator supports and deputizes the Country Director in the implementation of an upcoming Skills development and labour market integration pilot project, targeting vulnerable rural youth. The project builds upon the experiences of the PROMOST project, implemented by Swisscontact in Rwanda from 2012-2023. It aims to partner with the local private sector and to create sustainable Skills Development offers in remote places where there are not TVET schools. Based at the Kigali office, the Skills development coordinator coordinates the technical project implementation with the TVET authorities and with key stakeholders from education and economy and leads a team of 1-2 field officers.

Tasks:

• Liaise with key stakeholders of the national TVET system to facilitate the design, implementation, assessment and certification of pilot) dual-system inspired) TVET and labour market insertion activities in rural locations.
• Facilitate sensitisation activities / meetings with local authorities, private sector and TVET schools to partner in the piloting of activities.
• Play a key role in the ideation-creation and piloting of different training packages tailored to the needs of disadvantaged rural youths.
• Coordinate and follow-up on contractual arrangements with all stakeholders.
• Build relationships with other implementing partners to ensure the project deliverables are met and coordinated.
• Manage, control and coordinate project schedule & implementation to make sure the quantitative and qualitative targets are met.
• Support the MRM officer in data collection and reporting for MRM, learning and communication.
• Actively participate in the regional knowledge management activities.

Requirements

• Understanding of the Inclusive System Development (ISD) / Market Systems Development (MSD) approach and prior experience of its application.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Rwandan TVET system and of the different dual TVET activities that have been piloted and implemented in the past.
• Proven leadership in co-designing, implementing and monitoring donor-supported projects, including high-level strategic visioning.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• A degree (bachelor’s or master’s or equivalent TVET qualification) in education, economics, international development, or another relevant field
• A minimum of 8 years’ professional experience.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English. French is a plus.
• Responsible and ethical decision-making, in line with Swisscontact’s Code of Conduct.

Application Instructions

Swisscontact is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting their curriculum vitae along with a cover letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this position, diplomas, and references by 18 May 2025.

All applications should be submitted to: rw_info@swisscontact.org with “Skills Development coordinator - YOUR NAME” in the subject email. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview. Female candidates with a private sector background are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit www.swisscontact.or