JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Project Title: Reinforcing community capacity for social cohesion through societal trauma healing in Bugesera District.
Position: Project Coordinator (1)
Duty Station: Kigali – Rwanda
I. Background
Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the government of Rwanda and its relevant agencies, local and international organisations as well as UN agencies to foster interventions that support psycho-social healing, peacebuilding and reconciliation, restorative justice, crime prevention, human rights promotion and legal aid, intervening in emergencies as well as nurturing socio-economic empowerment in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi and its aftermath. Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded on 01/07/1995, affiliated to the Prison Fellowship International in 1997. It was officially registered and recognized by the ministerial order no 037/17, of 23/10/2002, by the Ministry of Justice as a non- profit organization, published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda in 2002.
Rwanda has identified mental health and trauma healing as areas of priority. A 2018 Mental Health Survey revealed high prevalence of mental health disorders, particularly among survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In addition, the country’s National Unity and Reconciliation Policy recognises “serious levels of trauma” as a major effect of the genocide that still weighs heavily on society today. It identifies the healing of psychological wounds as a guiding principle on which unity and reconciliation are established. High levels of trauma, anxiety and depression make it more difficult for people to trust and forgive each other. Trauma affects the ability to open up, receive and trust others, and it is a major cause of inter-community suspicions, especially between groups of genocide survivors and former genocide prisoners. This has limited people’s ability to cooperate in shared, mutually beneficial economic activities. Based on that observation, Rwanda’s 4th Health Sector Strategic Plan emphasises the need for holistic innovative programmes that simultaneously promote mental health service provision, advance social cohesion and support sustainable livelihoods.
With funds from European Union (EU), Prison Fellowship Rwanda will implement in partnership with Interpeace, a programme focusing on the linkages between psychosocial wellbeing, reconciliation and socio-economic development with a goal of reinforcing social cohesion and sustainable peace through scaling up community-based healing initiatives. The Programme is in line with, and will further inform, the Government’s policy of establishing community mental health services to improve the uptake among traumatised individuals of Government-funded mental health support.
In addition, the programme is tailored to the context of Rwanda and is based on a core partnership and the shared expertise of the Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Prison Fellowship Rwanda and Interpeace; in close collaboration with other key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and Rwanda Correctional Services.
Currently Prison Fellowship Rwanda is looking for a qualified and highly motivated candidate of high moral character and professional integrity to fulfill the position of project coordinator to manage the overall programme implementation.
II. Key Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of Programs, the project coordinator will undertake the following specific tasks:
- Ensuring that all programme components are implemented according to the programme plans, in order to meet all goals and objectives;
- Be responsible to support the day-to-day management of the programme to ensure its effective, efficient and cost-sensitive management;
- Monitor programme plans and ensure the overall coordination of the programme activities and coordinate the work of the field staff;
- Be responsible for the elaboration of progress, monthly, quarterly, annual and other types of reports;
- Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions that will contribute to sustainable improvements of the well-being of the programme beneficiaries;
- Contributing towards development of protocols and IEC materials;
- Represent the organization in different meetings and other relevant events related to the programme;
- Ensure strong collaboration with programme partners and other implementing stakeholders on the field;
- Ensure communication is strengthened in close coordination with Communication Specialist and Field staff;
- Perform any other task assigned by the management in relation to a success of the programme.
III. Essential skills and qualifications
- A Master or Bachelor degree in relevant field (Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Anthropology, Public Health, Project Management or Conflict/Peace Studies or other related field);
- At least 5 years of experience of working in the field with direct engagement with vulnerable people. Demonstrated expertise in the field of mental health, peace building, livelihood or related areas as well as project administration and coordination, including monitoring, control and reporting, resource management, preferably within a non-profit organization;
- Demonstrated experience in team management and planning;
- Experience in working closely with governmental/local authorities and other (inter)national NGO’s;
- Experience in budgeting and a strong understanding of administrative and logistics systems;
- Good ability to write clear and well-argued reports on programme outcomes and impact;
- Ability to operate Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
- Ability to manage a heavy workload, to delegate tasks/responsibilities and to constantly reassess priorities;
- Capacity to initiate new ideas and put them into action;
- An honest, reliable and very accurate person;
- Strong interpersonal and motivational skills;
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and in writing;
- Fluent English and Kinyarwanda both verbal and written;
- Working knowledge of French.
IV. Terms of employment
This is a full-time position for the duration of 16 months with possible extension. The Programme Coordinator will be based in Kigali and the position involves regular field-visits to areas where the programme will be implemented.
V. How to apply
To apply for this position please send your motivation letter, CV, Degree and other certificates and at least three recommendation letters to: recruitment.pfrwanda@gmail.com and mention the title of the position in the subject line of the email. The application deadline is the 05th of December 2020. The applications can be addressed to the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Rwanda.
For more information about Prison Fellowship Rwanda, consult: www.pfrwanda.com
Done at Kigali on 10th /11/2020
Bishop Deogratias GASHAGAZA
Executive Director
Prison Fellowship Rwanda