Description
Senior Project Officer at International Alert: (Deadline
17 July 2026)
RECRUITMENT NOTICE
Senior Project Officer – Mupaka Shamba Letu II
Job Title Senior Project Officer Line
Supervisors Regional Project Manager (Functional and technical manager,
based in DRC) and Director of Programmes (hierarchical administrative manager,
based in Rwanda) Staff Management None Place
of work Kigali – Rwanda, with regular field trips to Rubavu, Rusizi
and Nyaruguru districts Job Classification Framework
for collaboration Grade 3.2 Duration of the
contract 12-month fixed-term contract with possibility of renewal Salary Competitive
and in line with Alert’s salary grid in Rwanda International Alert
and Mupaka Shamba Letu Project
International Alert (Alert) is an international organisation
headquartered in the United Kingdom that works to build peace by working with
local civil society organisations through research, advocacy, capacity
building, inclusive dialogue and political and civic participation. Alert often
works in collaboration with other national and international partners to
deliver its projects.Alert has embarked into the implementation of a second
phase of Mupaka Shamba Letu (MSL II) project. In this project, Alert will work
with local partners, each of whom will have a long experience of working on
issues of cross border trade in the following border regions:
- Goma
(DRC) / Rubavu (Rwanda)
- Bukavu
(DRC) / Rusizi (Rwanda)
- Uvira
(DRC) /Gatumba (Burundi)
- Kamanyola
(DRC) /Bugarama (Rwanda)
- Akanyaru
(Rwanda) / Mparamirundi (Burundi)
- Ruhwa
(Rwanda) / Cibitoke (Burundi)
The goal of the project is to Strengthen peace and stability
in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The project focuses on strengthening the
role that women and youth traders living in these border communities can play
in facilitating greater understanding between communities, through cross border
trade.The specific objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of
women and youth small-scale cross-border traders in border areas of DRC, Rwanda,
and Burundi to jointly challenge gender dynamics that contribute to conflict in
their communities and the wider region and use their influence to promote
greater social cohesion and regional cooperation.Focusing on four border
crossing points, the project aims to achieve two key results:
Rwandamarket analysis
- Social
cohesion in cross border communities is strengthened by the contribution
of private sector actors at various levels
- Trade,
regional integration and economic development are more inclusive and
context sensitive
Purpose of the position The purpose of this
position is to support the implementation of the second phase of the Mupaka
Shamba Letu project with the support of partner organizations including (i)
CEJP (Commission Episcopale Justice et Paix), (ii) ACTR (Association des
Commerçants Transfrontaliers au Rwanda), (iii) PSF (Private Sector Federation)
and RIM ( Réseau interdiocésain de microfinance) to strengthen peace, social
cohesion and stability in the region.The Senior Project Officer (SPO) is
therefore responsible for the management of the project partners in Rwanda, the
implementation of strategic activities and capacity building of local project
stakeholders, operational monitoring in the field as well as the collection and
feedback of information.The Senior Project Officer collaborates with Alert’s
Admin/Finance and M&E team to ensure proper support for local stakeholders
involved in the project and compliance with Alert and donor rules and
procedures by implementing partners.The Senior Project Officer will work under
the administrative supervision of the Director of Programmes of International
Alert Rwanda, under the technical supervision of the Regional Project Manager
of the MSLII project, and in close collaboration with team members in DRC,
Rwanda, and Burundi. Job description
1. Contribute to the effective management and
implementation of project activities
- Take
the lead on the planning and monitoring of the implementation of Alert’s
activities in the Rwanda,
- Provide
guidance and support to implementing partners, MFIs and Platforms of
Cross-Border Traders (PCTs) and Association of Cross-Border Traders in
Rwanda according to their contracts, work plans and project strategies
- Contribute
to the in-depth analysis of needs and context; contribute to the
adaptation of the project’s approaches to the context and needs in Rwanda;
- Participate
in relevant coordination mechanisms in the field of cross-border trade,
gender promotion and peacebuilding in Rwanda;
2. In collaboration with Alert Rwanda and MSL II
project teams, contribute to the establishment and implementation of
appropriate systems and procedures for the implementation of the project in
Rwanda
Rwandamarket analysis
- Support
the project partners in Rwanda in respecting and applying the
administrative, logistical and financial procedures of Alert and the
donors and that they respect the laws in force in Rwanda;
- Approve
the ToR for the activities of the project partners in Rwanda according to
the annual plans and budgets approved by Alert;
Contribute to the implementation of the project’s
strategic approaches and provide technical expertise
- Assist
Alert and MSL II teams in Rwanda in the management of the project by
providing necessary advice in the field of small-scale cross-border trade;
- Contribute
to the development and implementation of the strategy and activities for
the inclusion of “conflict and gender sensitivity” in all activities in
Rwanda
- Contribute
to the process of identifying and selecting key partners for the
implementation of the project in Rwanda;
- Support
the work of consultants and other technical experts in the project in
Rwanda;
- Support
participatory engagement (budgeting, prioritization, implementation)
between authorities, PCTs and local communities;
- Ensure
the implementation of the various commitments made during the various
workshops, forums and strategic meetings in Rwanda
- Support
advocacy initiatives and policy engagement with district and national
authorities, as well as border officials, to address challenges affecting
the effective implementation of project interventions, particularly those
related to cross-border trade.
- Develop
a strategy for the project's contribution to the graduation of vulnerable
citizens, including project-supported cross-border traders, at the
district level.
Reporting, monitoring and evaluation of partners based in
Rwanda
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- Participate
in brainstorming and planning sessions
- Take
the lead in ensuring that the narrative and financial reports of the
project partners in Rwanda are submitted on time and comply with the rules
and procedures of Alert and the donors; give constructive feedback to
partner organizations’ activity reports
- Carry
out field visits in Rubavu (Poids Lourd and La Corniche border posts),
Rusizi (Rusizi 1&2, Bugarama and Ruhwa border posts) and Nyaruguru
(Akanyaru border post) in Rwanda; assist partners in data collection and
maintenance of M&E tools;
- Participate
in and support the different types of evaluations and studies to be
carried out during the life of the project in Rwanda and participate in
the drafting of the annual and final report.
- Strengthen
internal and external coordination among the project's implementing
partners and other organizations working in the project's thematic areas
to minimize duplication of interventions and enhance collaboration.
Other Responsibilities – Internal Coordination
- Contribute
to and attend weekly meetings of Alert’s staff in Rwanda for
implementation monitoring;
- Actively
participate in project team meetings and other necessary meetings.
- Participate
in internal learning and experience exchange activities;
- Work
closely with the MSL II Project Manager to complete any relevant tasks;
This job description is not a complete list of the duties
and responsibilities associated with this position, but a general indication of
the duties and responsibilities and will serve as a guide for performing the
job. Any other necessary and relevant responsibilities will be assigned under
the recommendation of the supervisor, based on the needs of the
project/organization
JOB REQUIREMENTS & PROFILE
1. ESSENTIALEducation and experience
- Masters’s
degree in social sciences with prime focus on peacebuilding and conflict
transformation, or other relevant Master’s degree in business for peace,
rural development, economics, political science, international relations,
law or a similar field must be obtained. Bachelor’s degree holder with 5
years of experience in the above field is eligible to apply.
- At
least 5 years’ experience in supervising community recovery,
peacebuilding, gender, regional integration projects including monitoring
and budget planning.
- Proven
experience of at least 3 years in the field of social cohesion through the
economic empowerment of women, women/gender in community processes, youth,
traumatic healing, business, in a decision-making position.
- Experience
in economic recovery, VSLAs and cooperatives, financial inclusion, SMEs,
working with private sector federations, participatory action research,
and strengthening women and youth in decision-making.
- Substantial
professional experience in the implementation of cross-border projects
particularly between DRC, Rwanda and Burundi
- Ability
to cultivate and maintain open and non-discriminatory professional
relationships with communities, public administrations and representatives
of other operational organizations in the project implementation
environment.
- Experience
in collaboration and coordination in the development and entrepreneurship
sector and in the implementation and monitoring of activities with
authorities and stakeholders at local, provincial and national levels.
Knowledge and skills
- Demonstrate
strong personal integrity and know how to enforce the integrity of the
organization.
- Have a
sense of fairness and justice, and a high level of organizational loyalty.
- Demonstrated
ability to work in an objective and apolitical manner.
- Able
to develop good interpersonal relationships, and to work in a
multidisciplinary environment and in cultural diversity.
- Perfect
command of English required with a professional level in French
- Good
ability in drafting different documents.
- Be
sensitive to the gender approach and have a good understanding of the
practical application of this concept.
- Ability
to meet deadlines, strong ability to organize work, manage urgent
competing priorities and a high level of autonomy.
- Proficient
in the following software: WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT, OUTLOOK and Internet.
Personal suitability
- Ability
to work under pressure and with autonomy while maintaining the ethos of
the organization and maintaining the quality of work.
- Able
and willing to make proactive decisions and adapt them when necessary.
- Ability
to tactfully manage conflicts, strong diplomatic communication and
facilitation skills.
- Ability
to perform duties independently with minimal technical support.
2. Desirable
- Substantial
professional experience in overseeing projects focused on social cohesion,
women’s economic and community empowerment.
- Have
direct skills and experience in facilitating various training workshops,
organizing high-level forums and workshops
- Have
direct experience in the execution of projects using a gender-based
approach, social cohesion and entrepreneurship.
- Knowledge
of written and spoken English will be considered an advantage as well as
the ability to speak the local languages of DRC and Burundi, mainly
Swahili and Kirundi.
- Be
methodical and perfectionist, know how to organize your work in particular
by respecting priorities and deadlines.
- Have
a practical mind, know how to identify problems and propose alternative
solutions that are positive for all concerned, and in a better time.
- Experience
in written reporting of project-related activities.
- Excellent
knowledge of other Microsoft Office products. Good IT knowledge.
- Commitment
to Alert’s approach and values, particularly regarding the needs of
conflict-affected populations.
- Ability
to think strategically.
Each application should consist only of the following
documents:
- Application
form. See it attached here
Application form for the post should be sent by email only
no later than 17 July 2026 to Rwanda@international-alert.org .
Please mention the following reference in the subject heading of your
email: Application for Senior Project Officer position.
Please note that the following:
- This
is a local position.
- Women
candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- If
you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you can
assume that your application has, on this occasion, been unsuccessful.”
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