Job description: Programme Manager

Supervision: The Programme Manager (PM) reports to the Programme Director. He/she will support supervision of two field extension officers and acts as the focal point for an integrated agriculture, food and nutrition security project.

He/she works in collaboration with the administrative authorities in Gisagara and Nyaruguru Districts where the project will be based.

Context

The PM will be based in Concern’s Huye office and play a crucial role in developing, planning, implementing, and monitoring initiatives that aim to improve food access, production, and nutrition, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities and small-scale farmers. The PM is responsible for ensuring that activities are implemented and managed in accordance with the established timetable, and that objectives are achieved on time through: i) the implementation of the project, ii) close coordination with the local implementing partner iii) the management of human resources, iv) the involvement of project staff, beneficiary communities and other stakeholders in the planning, monitoring and implementation of the project in accordance with Concern’s and the donor’s organisational policies and procedures as well as the commitments of the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).

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Responsibilities 

Team management and coordination

  • Act as project leader and focal point on the project,
  • Supervise and coordinate the field extension officers in Gisagara and Nyaruguru,
  • Coordinate and supervise the teams in the field,
  • Coordinate the activities of the field extension officers in an efficient, regular and documented manner,
  • Establish regular performance plans and reviews based on clear and achievable objectives discussed and validated with team members,
  • Support each field extension officer in developing and implementing their individual work plan,
  • Prepare the annual and monthly work plan, in collaboration with the project team members,
  • Regularly analyse staff capacity and identify capacity-building needs, both practical (e.g. planning, reporting) and technical (e.g. approaches to be used in the field),
  • Provide interim support in the event of the absence of field extension officers,
  • Coordinate closely with the Concern and partner teams implementing a similar project in Gisagara and Nyaruguru

Project management and reporting

  • Assess new needs/changes in context and adjust the project accordingly, in collaboration with the partner field officer, programme management, staff from Concern and its partner implementing a similar project in Gisagara and Nyaruguru and technical teams in Rwanda, Burundi and HQ,
  • To ensure regular monitoring – in collaboration with the partner field officer and MEAL manager – of relevant aspects of the programme, including those relating to support (Finance and Systems),
  • Ensure that the targeting of beneficiaries corresponds to the defined criteria, that all project stakeholders are made aware of the organisation’s gender and accountability policies and that the complaints and response system (CRM) is implemented and respected,
  • To ensure that the budget is properly managed in line with the work plan and to produce expenditure plans,
  • To harmonise and synchronise the monthly planning of activities with the logical framework (toolkit), the monitoring and evaluation plan, the review and reporting calendar, the procurement plan and the leave plan,
  • Facilitate and maximise opportunities for synergy and complementarity with the Concern and partner teams implementing a similar project in Gisagara and Nyaruguru, the Integrated Programmes Adviser, Programme Quality and Development Coordinator, technical advisers and project managers from other projects,
  • Identify and/or monitor opportunities to increase networks and professional relationships with NGOs, actors and other stakeholders in civil society development, including the administration, at provincial and communal levels,
  • Regularly monitor and analyse the planning, preparation and rate of expenditure and coordinate efforts with relevant support colleagues,
  • Produce high-quality monthly and annual reports on time, as well as any other reports, documents or information relating to the project requested.

Monitoring and evaluation

  • Ensure that planning and monitoring and evaluation are carried out in compliance with the commitments of the Fundamental Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and in accordance with the donor’s rules,
  • Working with the MEAL officer and Quality and Programme Development team to design and implement an effective monitoring and evaluation system that analyses the project’s progress in relation to the objectives to be achieved and the expected impact,
  • Monitor and analyse the project’s progress and propose, discuss and validate solutions to the challenges encountered.

Representation

  • Represent Concern in working groups and meetings with relevant partners and stakeholders at sector, district and at national level where relevant.
  • Defend the interests of Concern and the programme in particular.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitment under the Core Humanitarian Standard of Quality and Accountability (CHS):

  • Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation),
  • Work with colleagues to ensure that our Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, and that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed,
  • Work with colleagues to ensure that information about the CRM, Safeguarding and the expected behaviour of Concern staff is disseminated to programme participants and communities.

Other

  • Carry out any other duties as requested by line management.

Skills and experience

Essential

  • University degree, preferably in agriculture, health and nutrition, social sciences, community development or environmental sciences,
  • Be of Rwandan nationality or have a permit to work in Rwanda,
  • Demonstrate strong team management and coordination skills,
  • Experience in implementing and managing complex projects across several thematic areas,
  • Knowledge of project cycle management and budget management,
  • Be fluent in English and have very strong writing skills,
  • Knowledge of project proposal development,
  • Experience of participatory approaches,
  • Computer skills: Excel, Word and PowerPoint,
  • Leadership and human resources management skills,
  • Ability to prioritise and work under pressure,
  • Strong solution-oriented communication skills,
  • Good communication skills and team spirit.

Desirable

  • Have worked for Concern Worldwide,
  • Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields,
  • Have a good capacity for training adults,
  • Have a good ability to coach adults,

Special skills, aptitudes or personality traits required

  • Be proactive, a good communicator, good at networking, self-confident,
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills,
  • Be flexible and willing to adapt to a fluid/changing situation,
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently,
  • Confidentiality and ability to manage stress in the workplace.

If you have the qualifications, experience and skills we are looking for; please forward your application letter and updated CV/Resume by email to:dermot.hegarty@concern.net

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