Programme Assistant at Interpeace. Deadline 15th November 2021

Job Description

Title: Programme Assistant           

Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda

Reports To: Programme Manager

Unit: Programme Management

Grade: L2 S1

Background

Interpeace is an international organization for peacebuilding that supports locally led peacebuilding initiatives around the world. Interpeace tailors its approach to each society and ensures that the work is locally driven. Together with local partners and local teams, Interpeace jointly develops peacebuilding programmes and helps establish processes of change that connect local communities, civil society, government and the international community.

As a strategic partner of the United Nations, Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Interpeace in Rwanda

Interpeace has been working in Rwanda since 2002. During this time, Interpeace has been working in

Partnership with national institutions to strengthening durable peace, through the promotion of social cohesion, societal trauma healing and participatory governance. In this work, Interpeace has had long-term partnership with different national organisations, including government institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Local Government. Non-government partners include Prison Fellowship Rwanda and Never Again Rwanda.

Currently, Interpeace is implementing “Reinforcing community capacity for social cohesion and reconciliation through Societal Trauma Healing in Bugesera District’’ Programme, funded by the European Union implemented in partnership with Prison Fellowship Rwanda; as well as the “Youth Engage Project” (Ijwi ryubaka) Project implemented in partnership with Never Again Rwanda. The “Youth Engage” project seeks to strengthen the rights of young people and their empowerment and involvement in public affairs, societies and decision-making, notably through youth organisations. At the regional level (Great Lakes), our regional programmes are focused on fostering strong relations across borders.

Position within the Organization

The Programme Assistant is a member of the Programme Management Unit which manages and implements all Interpeace’s active and ongoing programmes around the world. The Programme Management Unit is led from the Headquarters office in Geneva, although team members are based in various locations including in East and Central Africa, West Africa, Europe and the MENA region.

The Programme Assistant will report to Great Lakes Regional Representative and will work in close collaboration with the Programme Manager, Support Officers, the M&E Expert, and the Finance and Admin Manager in Rwanda.

The Programme Assistant supports the design, day-to-day planning, and implementation of the Rwanda Programme. S/he is also expected to contribute to the implementation of the broader Great Lakes Regional Programme.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Engagement

Assists all areas of implementation as directed by the Programme Manager.

Programme Management and Development

• Contributes to the preparation of various programme documents, such as work plans, budgets, reports and proposals on programme implementation arrangements.
• Contributes to drafting and developing of events’ concept notes and Agendas in close collaboration with Programme Support Officers
• Assists in maintaining calendars of the Great Lakes Regional Representative and sending out reminders of impending appointments

• Under the guidance of the supervisor, assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations for the programme unit.

• Contributes to events planning and logistical arrangements in close collaboration with the Administration Assistant
• Contributes to Drafting monthly updates of the Rwanda programmes based on the monthly reports received from local partners and Interpeace’s field teams.

• Support the programme team in tracking execution of agreed work plans as well as budgets.

• Participates in staff meetings and writes the minutes
• Supports the programme team in preparing monthly updates (internal and external).

Management – institutional coherence

• Preparing minutes for Programme’s meetings
• Liaise with the Communication Team in preparing social media contents, success stories and web stories that capture key programme outputs and outcomes
• Assist the Rwanda programme in researching and compiling data needed when preparing concept notes and proposals
• Scheduling and maintaining the Rwanda programme meetings calendar as guided by the Country Representative and the programme team.
• Supports operational activity planning and implementation.
• Assists the programme team in elaborating the activity requests and ensures value for money in selecting service providers, in close coordination with the Administration Assistant.
• Contributes to the development of the Programme’s yearly objectives and work plan.
• Assists the drafting of internal, monthly and annual reports.
• Contributes to the Programme and the Organisation’s learning activities/processes.

Representation

• Focus on Track 3, by supporting the Programme Team in maintaining working level relationship with local project partners and donors.
• Scheduling and maintaining the meetings calendar with Donors and programme partners

Relevant qualifications and experience

Candidates with relevant qualifications, experience, a tertiary degree, and fluent in English and Kinyarwanda, are invited to apply.

Relevant experience and qualifications may include:

Education

• Tertiary degree in peace-related studies, social or development studies or other relevant fields.
• At least two years experience in programmes support role. Specific experience in peacebuilding, partner relations will be an advantage.
• Experience and ability to work successfully as part of a diverse and multicultural team, integrating a gender perspective into tasks and activities, and
• Proven capacity to collaborate effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Competencies

• Demonstrable ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them into planning and programme setting
• Organizational and planning skills.
• Basic knowledge of project cycle management including of project planning and management tools.
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of French will be an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of Kinyarwanda is required.
• Demonstrable writing and communications skills in English and Kinyarwanda is required.

Interpeace Competencies

• Collaboration and Weaving
• Communication
• Drive for results
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning
• Respect for Diversity

How to apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications to recruitment-eca@interpeace.org on or before 15th November 2021, 23:45 pm, Kigali time. “Programme Assistant, Kigali” MUST BE included in the subject line of the application email to be considered.

The application must include:

• a complete curriculum vitae
• a letter of interest
• an acknowledgement letter, answering the following questions:

1. Have you ever been criminally convicted or subject to any criminal or administrative penalty by any competent authority? If yes, please specify:
2. Have you ever been terminated or separated (e.g. contract termination, dismissal, non-renewal) or subject to any disciplinary measure or sanction by your employer for fraud, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse?
3. Have you ever resigned while under investigation or during disciplinary proceedings?

a) Confirming the following declaration of understanding:

I confirm the accuracy of the information provided, with the understanding that Interpeace will conduct reference checks to verify relevant information.

I understand that if any false or misleading information is provided in my application, or any material fact suppressed, I may not be employed, of if I am employed, I may be dismissed.

 Interpeace values diversity among its staff and aims to achieve gender equality both through gender parity at all levels of the organisation and the promotion of a gender dimension in all its work. We welcome applications from women and men, and those with disabilities.

Please note that due to high volume of applications, ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted.