JOB DESCRIPTION

Save the Children has been working in Rwanda since 1994 in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and local stakeholders to promote a bright future for children, with experience working in all 30 districts of the country. The main areas of focus are education, child protection, child rights governance and health and nutrition in humanitarian and development contexts. Our intention is to work to the highest standard for the children that we serve – a mission which we take seriously. We are a learning organisation that is extremely committed to constantly adapting and improving the way in which we work, with children’s and community’s voices at the heart of this.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

• Operational Execution: Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the project, ensuring all tasks are completed on time and within budget.

• Team Leadership: Lead and manage the project team, providing direction, guidance, and support to ensure efficient and effective project implementation.

• Workplan Development & Implementation: Coordinate the creation of the work plan and Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), ensuring they are executed efficiently and on time.

• Resource Management: Manage project resources, including personnel, materials, and finances, to ensure smooth execution and that the project stays on track.

• Financial Oversight: Review Budget vs. Actual (BVA) reports regularly, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and managing the project budget effectively to prevent over-spending or under-utilization.

• Reporting: Produce high-quality and timely reports that document progress, challenges, and achievements, and ensure these are shared with key stakeholders in accordance with project timelines and requirements.

Reports to: The Zero OOSC Project Director

Staff directly reporting to this post: Project Coordinators (3), project Interns (2)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

 Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and Execute the Work Plan: 

• Collaborate with project staff, consortium partners (MINEDUC, HI, NUDOR) and other key stakeholders, to create a detailed project work plan, outlining all activities, timelines, milestones, and resources required.  stay on track

2. Coordinate Daily Project Activities:

• Supervise and coordinate all day-to-day project activities to ensure they are implemented in line with project objectives and expected quality standards.

3. Ensure Project Quality: 

• Maintain high standards of quality in all project activities and deliverables, ensuring they meet both internal save the Children expectations and the donor EAC requirements.

• In collaboration with the project Director, and MEAL Staff, review regularly the outputs and assess whether they align with project goals and performance indicators

4. Track Project Progress:

• Continuously monitor and track the progress of each project activity against agreed-upon timelines and budgets.

• Prepare and maintain up-to-date status reports to share with the Out Of School Children Steering Committee on the status of ongoing tasks.

5. Risk Management: 

• Identify operational risks (such as resource shortages, logistical challenges, or community resistance) early in the process.

6. Manage Resources Effectively:

• Ensure the proper allocation and utilization of project resources (human resources, materials, equipment, etc.) to meet project needs.

• In collaboration with the supply chain, oversee procurement processes to acquire necessary materials or services, ensuring compliance with project guidelines and donor policies.

7. Monitor Budget and Expenses: 

• Monitor the project budget to ensure funds are being used effectively and efficiently.

• Review and approve payments

• Adjust operational spending as necessary to avoid cost overruns or resource shortages.

8. Provide Operational Guidance and Support:

• Offer day-to-day support to project coordinators and team members, ensuring they have the resources, training, and guidance needed to perform their roles effectively.

• Collaborate with Waliku, MEAL and project Team to ensure the data management and tracking individual attendance of learners and follow up on absenteeism.

• Facilitate regular team meetings to check on progress, address issues, and ensure that tasks are aligned with the overall objectives.

• Act as a problem-solver when operational challenges arise, ensuring timely resolutions.

9. Ensure Compliance with Donor Requirements:

• Ensure that all project activities comply with donor guidelines and regulations, including financial, reporting, and operational procedures.

• Work with the Project Director, Finance, Awards and Compliance teams to ensure that all project documentation is in line with donor expectations and requirements.

10. Reporting and Documentation: 

• Prepare and submit regular reports that document progress and milestones achieved

• Coordinate with the Communications Specialist and other project staff to ensure compliance with EAC’s marking and branding guidelines and all MINEDUC policies on all materials developed.

• Perform other duties, as assigned by the Project Director

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.

• Holds the broader team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and take responsibility for their own personal development. • Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, managers, members and external partners and supporters.

• Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.

• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency.

• Commitment to Save the Children values.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in education (Med); Project Management (MBA) or related discipline with at least 5 years of experience in technical and management roles in education improvement programs.

• Experience working in basic education with expertise in two or more of the following areas: teachers capacity strengthening, inclusive education, social behaviour change communication, fighting drop out, and teaching and learning materials development.

• Demonstrated experience in providing technical leadership to basic education activities in Rwanda

• Demonstrated experience in implementing the multi-year and country-wide projects

• Ability and experience in managing big budget and manage field staff

• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status or other marginalized status.

• Proven ability to forge connections between different organizations/institutions and to develop smooth lines of communication between them.

• Ability to motivate staff and work collaboratively with colleagues, providing support and advice as necessary.

• Experience in working with children, community members, local leaders and school leaders.

• Experience in working with Government Institutions

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Highly developed relationship building and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a workload comprised of varying and changing tasks and responsibilities.

• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda, as well as presentation skills.

• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.

• Ability to manage work-related pressure and to adapt to tight deadlines.

• Attention to detail, strong analytical, problem-solving, financial skills and public speaking skills.

• Strong time management and organizational skills.

• Advanced skills in computer literacy, including preparing and presenting high-level presentations.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post require you to have one to one contact with children or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g: four days in one month or more) because they work in country programs.

Anti-Fraud and Integrity Commitment: The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud, corruption, and unethical behavior. All staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability, comply with internal policies and procedures, and report any suspected misconduct through the appropriate channels.

Please note: The organization does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, offer, or onboarding). Any request for payment should be reported immediately.