Community Based Sociotherapy
UMOJA House, 1st floor
Kiyovu, Kigali, Rwanda
E-mail: info@cbsrwanda.org
Website: www.cbsrwanda.org
Phone: +250 (0)788416724
Vacancy Announcement
District Officer
Community-Based Sociotherapy Rwanda
Starting date: 1st October 2021 (full-time contract for nine months)
Location: Western Province: Nyabihu district
Introduction
The organization Community-Based Sociotherapy Rwanda (CBS Rwanda) was established to contribute to the psychosocial well-being of people affected by the Genocide against the Tutsi and to strengthen interpersonal reconciliation and social cohesion at the grassroots level.
The community-based sociotherapy approach uses the group as a therapeutic medium in the establishment of trust, the creation of an open environment for discussion, and the formation of peer-support structures. The psychotherapy groups facilitate community members to identify, acknowledge, share, and manage together their everyday psychosocial problems related to the recent history of political violence and its aftermath.
CBS Rwanda is currently looking for a qualified, dynamic, and highly motivated candidate of high moral character and professional integrity to join the team as a District Officer. The District Officer will be part of the Field Team of CBS in Nyabihu District, where the Tujyane project is being implemented. The project is funded by the Delegation of the European Union. S/he will be responsible for the monitoring of project activities in this respective district.
The District Officer is a full-time position, receiving an annually renewable contract that will start on the 1st of October. S/he will be based in the Nyabihu district where s/he is affected. The District Officer may have to travel to Kigali sometimes, where CBS Head Office is located, and Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts where our partner, Radio La Benevolencija (RLB), is implementing the Tujyane project.
Basic responsibilities
- Coordinate the recruitment of the sociotherapy participants;
- Organize the first sociotherapy group sessions in conjunction with the other field staff;
- Monitor sociotherapy group sessions on a weekly basis;
- Monitor the personal and professional stability of the local sociotherapists and ensure that an adequate working environment is maintained and the psychological support systems for sociotherapists are in place;
- Keep track of all the sociotherapy groups that take place in the district;
- Work closely with the field and management staff of Radio La Benevolencija (RLB) in the implementation of common activities;
- Follow the financial and administrative guidelines which were developed by the Finance Manager and Field Accountant to accurately manage the financial recourses that form the reimbursement of the sociotherapists;
- Be the support contact person and representative of CBS Rwanda at the district level, both for local authorities and other institutions;
- Keep the Project Coordinator informed at all times on the progress and challenges of the operational strategies;
- Contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the project;
- Participate in data-collection activities, including individual interviews and focus group discussions.
- Ensure that key operational information circulates properly within the Project Team and the overall organization;
- Be an active participant in-district meetings and other relevant local gatherings;
- Work closely with the district (JADF) in planning and reporting the Tujyane activities;
- Ensure that the sociotherapy sessions are taking place in line with sociotherapy method and the manual of operations;
- Ensure that regular sociotherapy reports are qualitatively and quantitatively provided as required by CBS Rwanda policies;
- Review the reports of sociotherapists and give observations aiming at the improvement of the quality of implementation;
- Develop a payroll used to pay facilitation fees of sociotherapists, based on weekly reports developed by them;
- Contribute to communication and visibility strategies by providing project-related updates and events;
- Initiate and support sociotherapy groups’ initiatives to maintain the participants’ social and economic cohesion and welfare;
- Advise sociotherapists in psychosocial problem management through sociotherapy sessions;
- Doing any other task requested by line managers for the success of the project.
Profile candidate
Essential skills and qualifications
- Bachelor degree in relevant field (e.g. Social Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, Clinical Psychology, Nursing, Public Health, Anthropology, or Conflict/Peace Studies, etc.);
- At least 3 years experience in the field of project implementation, specifically in the field of psychosocial interventions;
- At least 3 years experience in community-based working, monitoring of grassroots groups and activities;
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in reconciliation and psychosocial support interventions;
- Demonstrated experience in community mobilization and attitude for fieldwork at the grass-roots level;
- Previous experience in a representative position and with networking with local (governmental) authorities;
- Commitment to the goals and principles of the community-based sociotherapy program and an ability to ensure the mandate underpins our support to participants in the program;
- Strong skills in organization and coordination are essential, including the management of finances;
- Mastering Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint;
- An honest, reliable, and very accurate person, who is able to work under pressure;
- Very strong motivational and social skills and excellent communication skills both verbal and in writing;
- Ability to listen, to be diplomatic, flexible, and a strong problem solver;
- Fluent Kinyarwanda and English, both verbal and written;
- In possession of a driver’s license for motorcycles (Class A).
Desirable skills and qualifications
- Experience in supervising complex and challenging interventions in fragile communities;
- Knowledge of and experience with the community-based sociotherapy approach;
- Large network in the district and aware of local issues;
- French language skills.
Terms of employment:
This is a full-time position for a period of nine months. The District Officer is based at Nyabihu district, and the position involves regular field visits. Confirmation of the employment will be after three months of probation period. The District Officer is expected to start on the 1st of October 2021.
How to apply:
To apply for this position, please send your motivation letter addressed to the Executive Director of CBS Rwanda, a detailed CV, and three references to: vacancies@cbsrwanda.org and sociotherapy.rwanda@gmail.com not later than the 14th of September 2021. The title of the email should be “District Officer Nyabihu”. The date of the interview will be communicated to the pre-selected candidates. Copies of academic documents will be requested to the candidates who will be invited for the interview.
Done at Kigali on 24/08/2021
The management of Community Based Sociotherapy Rwanda
