Position Objective:
The Senior Program Manager is responsible for the overall management and development of the program in Rwanda and for ensuring that our work is underpinned by innovation and advances in technology to contribute effectively and efficiently in delivering our WASH ambition as articulated in Water For People strategy and Direction 2030. S/he is also responsible for the development of innovative sustainable models in collaboration with other functions, in line with the mission of the organization. The Senior Program Manager has the key responsibility to strengthen and develop the Water For People in Rwanda funding base and profile as a key player in WASH and to explore opportunities for expanding our work and to manage and develop relationships and collaborative links with partners across the country including but not limited to government, donors, civil society and the private sector.
The Senior Program Manager will manage all technical aspects of the Program, including the development of the Country’s strategic plans, annual operating and budget plans, monitoring the plans, fundraising, communication and reporting. The Senior Program Manager provides necessary support to program staff as well as local partners to ensure that the program objectives are achieved in due time.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Program Management
The Senior Program Manager provides a clear strategic vision, bringing sound analysis of processes of change and effectively operationalizing of Water For People WASH strategy ensuring staff, partners and other stakeholders feed into and support the strategy. The Senior Program Manager maintains a general oversight of the entire program; ensuring good governance procedures are followed and that all issues are dealt with appropriately promoting a positive working atmosphere across the program team while ensuring effective grant compliance. Specifically, this includes:
- Design the program, lead the discussions with the partners and agree on the final implementation plans.
- Keeping up to date with relevant socio-economic and political developments and trends within Rwanda and the NGO and development sectors and how these will impact on program direction and effectiveness;
- Develop MOUs with the local implementing partners detailing each partner obligations and responsibilities and performance targets relating to the project area.
- Ensure that all projects are monitored and evaluated, are in line with deadlines, are appropriate, necessary, cost-effective, targeted, sustainable, and in keeping with the client’s philosophy and strategy.
- Ensure positive working relationship with all partners (government, communities, NGOs, donors, etc.) and ensure partnership agreements are in place.
- Provide technical advice and support, where necessary, to program teams.
- Ensure that an appropriate development program which is balanced, well documented, and effective in terms of costs and outputs is delivered.
- Work with our partners to drive forward and develop activities for policy, research, and advocacy in WASH to support an enabling environment for sanitation entrepreneurs and other sector players.
- Compile monthly, quarterly progress reports as well as Biannual and Annual reports.
- Ensure effective partner management and development.
- Support partner capacity development, learning, networking, and coordination.
Representation
The Senior Program Manager works closely with the Country Director, and the Senior WASH Sustainability Manager in representing Water For People and is responsible for increasing the profile of the organization. This includes:
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with Government Ministries nationally, regionally and at district level.
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with a range of partners from research organizations, universities, others.
- Creating opportunities to promote and disseminate lessons learned within the program to a wider audience.
- Creating opportunities for visibility and branding of Water For People work.
- Develop and maintain relationships with sector role players at the national and local level, with Rwandan communities in need of water and sanitation projects, local government authorities, and local water and sanitation organization in Rwanda.
- Strengthen relationships with partner organizations, the local private sector, NGOs, supporting WASH in Water For People’s districts of operation.
- Ensure regular meetings with partners and make sure that projects are visited regularly by Water For People staff and partners are provided with the technical and managerial advice and training that enable them to implement projects.
Advocacy and Learning
- In co-operation with partners, develop program work plan that contributes to Water For People’s learning and advocacy agenda.
- Promote a learning environment among Water For People’s partners and staff.
- Contribute to organizational learning by documenting and sharing, lessons learned, good practices, and statistical and qualitative data to Water For People staff, partners, and other stakeholders, and organize periodic learning events to share best practices.
Resource mobilization and management
- Ensuring the responsible and efficient management of financial and other resources allocated to programs
- Ultimate accountability for all program financial matters and compliance with all financial controls as set out in the Water For People Finance Manual.
- Ensure effective grant management.
- Identify funding opportunities and support proposal development.
- Ensure accurate expenditure reporting in donor required format.
- Contribute to the preparation of internal financial reports and track revenue and expenditures against grant budget on monthly basis.
- Manage and develop all aspects of donor account management by developing and implementing strategies to maximize the giving potential of donors, while adhering with the grant management process.
Other
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as assigned at the discretion of your line manager.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:
Essential
- A strong commitment to the aims, objectives, and values of the Water For People;
- High level of initiative, motivation, commitment, and professionalism.
- A minimum of 5 years senior management experience in a similar environment.
- Appropriate Master’s degree level qualifications: Environmental Health/Science, Engineering, Water Resource Management; civil engineering and related development studies.
- Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills in English.
- Proven ability in supporting and building relationships with donors and fundraising.
- Experience in liaising with government officials and a variety of donors at senior level.
- Ability to properly manage complex programs.
- Sound and up-to-date knowledge of WASH concepts, methodologies and techniques and the ability to critique them.
- Commitment to international NGO codes, standards, and practices.
- Understanding of community-level water and sanitation development, with at least 5 years experience
- Experience in tracking budget expenses and grant management
- Experience in staff supervision and performance management
- At least 5 years’ experience working in Rwanda
- Strategic thinker with well-developed planning skills
- Fundraising and proposal writing experience
- Experience in budget development and operations management
- Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with multiple priorities
- Ability to analyze and organize data and communicate results effectively
- Ability to work both independently and as part of the collaborative team effort
- Must have well-developed written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Self-starter and able to undertake any tasks without intensive supervision
- Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of due process
Desirable
- Expertise in WASH sanitation business development.
- A strong appreciation of how to lobby and use media.
- Knowledge and experience of working with rural and urban communities.
- Fluent in Kinyarwanda
- Valid driver’s license
BEHAVIORS AND COMPETENCIES:
- Excellent communication, diplomacy, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- The ability and resilience to cope with multiple internal and external demands together with proven experience in supporting change management.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision and take initiative.
- Ability to provide effective management.
- Ability to solve problems and take corrective action.
- Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
- Excellent staff management and personnel skills including a proven ability to develop the capacities of multi-disciplinary professional teams.
Required Competencies
- Connects to the Mission– Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays leading social impact in international development.
- Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity– Understands ethical behavior and business practices and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
- Manages through Ambiguity– Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity.
- Demonstrates Cultural Awareness– Able to engage the wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
- Action-oriented– Maintains an attitude of open, curious, and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.
- Connects with Others– Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.
- Self-confident– Demonstrates humility, mature confidence, and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in her own role.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Position is based at Water For People’s Rwanda office;
- Trips within and outside Rwanda will be required from time to time.
How to Apply:
If you are both qualified and Water For People interests you, please visit our Career Center and apply with a cover letter along with detailed curriculum vitae (resume), educational certificates (bachelor’s degree or master’s degree), and other relevant academic/work experience documents.
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis; for the earliest consideration submit your application by September 23, 2022.
Salary Range:
Rwanda expected annual gross salary range is 36,000,000 Rwf – 40,800,000 Rwf .
The actual salary will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors.
Benefits:
Benefits are one of the ways we encourage healthy living for you and your family. Our generous package includes medical and life insurance, annual leave allocation equal to one month of salary, and other benefits in accordance with the Rwanda labor law.
Additional Information:
Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and in accordance with the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.
Water For People is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water For People strives to create and maintain a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.
Our commitment ensures that we:
- Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
- Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.
- Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities.
- Have diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services are available to Everyone Forever.
Done at Kigali on September 9, 2022.
Eugene Dusingizumuremyi
Country Director
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