Home Grown School Feeding Project Manager at Gardens for Health International (GHI): (Deadline 6 September 2023)

Home Grown School Feeding Project Manager at Gardens for Health International (GHI): (Deadline 6 September 2023)

Gardens for Health International

Job Description

Position:  Home Grown School Feeding Project Manager

About the Organization

Gardens for Health International bridges the disconnect between food, agriculture, and nutrition. For over a decade, Gardens for Health International (GHI) has implemented nutrition-sensitive agriculture programs to combat childhood malnutrition in Rwanda. We equip families and communities with the knowledge, resources and support they need to meet their nutritional needs. GHI’s core program works in collaboration with government-run health centers to identify and support rural families struggling with malnutrition. In addition to this core program, GHI collaborates with a variety of governmental and non-governmental partners to bring our expertise to new settings and new populations, such as primary schools and refugee camps. We are an impact-driven organization with a deep commitment to ensuring that every program we design meets and responds to the unique needs of the communities we serve. Our team is flexible, innovative, and passionate about sparking lasting change.

About the Role:

• Since 2016, Gardens for Health International has partnered with the World Food Programme under the auspices of the Ministry of Education to integrate nutrition-sensitive interventions in the Home-Grown School Feeding project. The project has served more than 100,000 students in 7 Districts (Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Kayonza, Burera and Gasabo). Gardens for Health has also built capacity for more than 8,000 key school feeding stakeholders across the 30 Districts.
• The project is in its second phase and Gardens for Health seeks to hire a National, qualified, and experienced Project Manager.
• The Home-Grown School Feeding Project Manager will serve as the Home-Grown School Feeding project focal point in the designated area where he/she is responsible for leading the World Food Programme partnership project’s implementation, monitoring, and relationship building.
• He/She is expected to oversee all activities related to the WFP partnership under the Home Grown School Feeding project.
• The Project Manager will be expected to contribute as needed to the Core program delivery and growth through advisory, on-demand supervision, and participation in staff capacity building and content development.
• The position is based in Ndera, Rwanda with travel to the project’s coverage areas notably Gasabo, Burera, Kayonza Districts

Overview of the Role

• Position: Home Grown School Feeding Project Manager
• Place of Work: Ndera, Gasabo with travel to the field as required
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Time frame: 2 years (renewable depending on availability of funds)
• Staff directly reporting to this post: Home Grown School Feeding District Coordinators (3)

 Project Coordination and Implementation

• Leads the World Food Programme partnership project’s design and execution plan and other nutrition sensitive opportunities that may arise
• Serve as a technical focal point for GHI on the project
• Oversee reports writing and compliance with the partnership agreement
• Oversees HGSF project activities in all operational Districts
• Take a leadership role ensuring joint planning and coordination with the District coordinators.
• Participate and contribute in project reflection meetings and produce related reports as required.
• With support from the relevant departments, document and disseminate the project implementation progress, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Contribute to timely production and submission of monthly reports
• Liaise and maintain dialogue with relevant governmental institutions and other HGSF partners to ensure the needed collaboration, synergy and sharing of experiences and communication are well done.
• Provide technical support to District coordinators through training, supportive supervision, coaching, and evaluation of their performance.
• Establish and maintain close, collaborative relationships with the GHI district coordinators by maintaining a high level of respect and sensitivity and strong links with other members of the program team and partners in the project area.
• Represent GHI in relevant forums in Districts where HGSF project operates and other forums as it may be assigned to her/him by the line manager.
• Perform other duties that may be outside HGSFP when requested by his/her line manager.
• Ensure that project objectives and activities are agreed upon within the context of Gardens for Health International’s values, aims, and objectives.
• Ensure the production of high-quality, analytical reports, and collection, analysis, and dissemination of relevant information and data relevant to the project.
• Evaluate, monitor and review the project’s activities to ensure strict compliance with GHI’s policies and procedures and with relevant donor regulations and agreements.
• Ensures the project’s budget is adequately monitored and that expenditures conform to planned activities.
• Provide guidance to partner organizations that implement GHI project in his/her area and receive its reports and propose the review if necessary
• Comply with all relevant GHI’s policies and procedures with respect to child rights and safeguarding, health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies and support the partner organization to apply them.
• Lead, support, and motivate project team members, ensuring that team members have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning / Research

• In collaboration with MEL unit, develop process, output and outcome level Quality Benchmarks and regularly review progress on indicators/achievement of targets;
• Discuss monitoring findings during program coordination/review meetings, review MEL reports to highlight key project strengths and areas of improvement and use learning from monitoring reports for project planning and implementation
• Review accountability to beneficiaries data and reports provide technical support to the implementation team and use key learning from the accountability system for program development, planning, improvement, and implementation

Staff management

• Manage the performance of all supervisees through the Effective use of the Performance Management System and ongoing mentoring/coaching
• Ensure that all supervisees have clear job descriptions and performance objectives

Communications

• Maintain clear lines of communication with school administrators, partners, and District and Sector government officials.
• Regularly inform partners about project activities, timelines and respond to requests for meetings and reports when needed.
• Participate in routine update meetings within GH

Technical Reporting

• Compile weekly reports tracking project progress and deliverables
• Document case studies, with photos when needed, for project reports

Financial Reporting

• Serve as the financial steward of the project’s funds
• Submit Expense Requests weekly
• Maintain all financials of the project’s justification and other financial records

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Agri-business, Rural Development, Project management, and any other related degree
• At least 5 years/substantial experience working as a project manager with leadership skills.
• Substantial people and programme management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Solid experience in grant management, including budget holding and donor reporting.
• Ability to produce high quality reports.
• Ability to work with limited supervision from the line manager.
• Experience working with partners and a participatory approach
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.
• Experience with School feeding programs will be an advantage
• Commitment to and understanding of Gardens for Health International’s values and principles

Equal Employment Opportunity

Gardens for Health International is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage and welcome all interested potential applicants, regardless of background or prior experience volunteering with Gardens for Health International, to apply

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (Psea)

Gardens for Health International has a zero-tolerance policy for exploitative and abusive relationships. Gardens for Health International will ensure the fulfillment of our moral obligation to protect minor children and other vulnerable members of society from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and other forms of violence.

Child Safeguarding: 

Level 3: The post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with GHI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

The deadline for application is the 6th of September 2023. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.