2 Positions at United Nations Development Programme -Rwanda: (Deadline 30 October, 3 November 2020)

Globally, UNDP supports governments to protect, respect, and fulfil human rights and to improve legal and policy environments to protect the vulnerable and leave no one behind. UNDP’s work on inclusive governance contributes to achieving SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 10 (reducing inequalities), and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. In Rwanda, the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) has been ascribed the responsibility to ensure that public and private institutions, civil society, and faith-based organizations contribute to the attainment of national commitments as enshrined in the National constitution, international/regional instruments as well as national policies and programs. To guarantee that gender equality and women’s empowerment principles are mainstreamed in policies and programs of different sectors and at different levels, GMO, through its Five-year Strategic plan (2017–2022) aspires to build accountability systems and mechanisms for the sustainability and acceleration of gender equality. Currently, GMO with support from UNDP has started to engage the private sector to establish gender accountability systems through the five-year (FY 2018/19 – 2022/23) project- “Promoting gender accountability in the private sector in Rwanda” which uses the Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification approach. The GES approach is currently being piloted in selected private sector companies and public institutions that work closely with the private sector. The project supports and guides the private sector’s delivery and compliance to gender equality principles and commitments by establishing standards that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. In addition, the project provides participating companies and public institutions working closely with the private sector with the necessary tools and guidance to promote a more equitable work environment that maximizes the capacities and benefits of all employees and that enhances their service delivery and productivity.

As part of the Leave no-one behind the principle of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, UNDP Rwanda increased its support to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) and promote their rights. Based on extensive consultations with Government and civil society, UNDP Rwanda initiated partnerships with a range of ministries, institutions, and development partners to implement a variety of activities at the policy and grassroots levels. Some of these activities focus on building capacities of Civil Society Organisations working on directly empowering PWDs, while others aim at ensuring inclusive access to services including justice, information and finance, and an enabling environment through up-to-date policy and legal frameworks. Some of the activities substantially contribute to data generation and studies for evidence-based decision making. UNDP also supports national and local level advocacy and awareness-raising activities to address stigma and discrimination.

The important partnerships established around the empowerment of persons with disabilities were further formalized through a newly established framework: a multi-partner disability platform. The platform brings together various public and private sector institutions, UN agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations to create synergies around efforts to transform the lives of persons with disabilities in order to avoid scattered interventions and to pool resources when possible. The platform is also functioning as a high-level advocacy forum, where heads of institutions actively prioritize lending their voice to messaging related to disability inclusion. At the technical level, technical counterparts find each other in working spaces to brainstorm challenges and priorities and co-create solutions, resulting in an inclusive workplan of activities of the multi-partner platform.

With this background, UNDP Rwanda has developed a portfolio on inclusive governance focusing on gender and disability inclusion which crucial for the realization of the agenda 2030. Therefore, UNDP Rwanda would like to recruit a national coordinator of the the inclusive governance portfolio. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Transformational Governance Unit, the coordinator is responsible for the management and coordination of the two project frameworks mentioned above and the provision of technical assistance to the Country Office in mainstreaming further disability and gender equality across the Country programme Document. More specifically, the coordinator will closely follow up on the project “Promoting gender accountability in the private sector in Rwanda”, which uses the Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification approach to promote gender accountability, as well as the Disability Platform which seeks to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in Rwanda. The coordinator will analyze trends related to inclusive governance, will lead the formulation, management, and evaluation of programme activities, and will provide technical advisory services to the country office and the state and non-state stakeholders.

 III.           Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions:

1.    Provide advisory services in the area of inclusive governance

2.    Ensure effective planning, implementation, reporting, and evaluation of the projects on inclusive governance

3.    Contribute to resource mobilization and partnership for the CO inclusive governance projects and initiatives

4.    Promote collaboration among project stakeholders;

1.    Provide advisory services in the area of inclusive governance

• Identify key priorities in the area of inclusive governance and devise strategies for evidence-based and inclusive policy contributions;
• Analyze strategically inclusive governance processes in Rwanda to propose policy and programme strategies;
•  Create knowledge products in the area of practice;
•  Design, facilitate and contribute to policy dialogue with the Government, Development partners, CSOs, the media for inclusive and active policy engagement;
• Conduct analysis of policies used by various countries and organizations to identify good practices and added value for consideration by UNDP and partners.

2.    Ensure effective planning, implementation, reporting, and evaluation of the projects on inclusive governance

•  Provide oversight to the development of annual and quarterly work plans and budgets for the gender accountability and disability Inclusion projects and coordinate and monitor the implementation of project activities;
• Provide technical support to and technically oversee the implementation of project activities;
• Initiate innovative approaches for effective project implementation;
•  Provide technical inputs to the monitoring and reporting of the projects including the development of M&E frameworks and reporting templates;
•  Develop terms of references and concept notes for different assignments in the project documents;
•  Ensure that quarterly project financial and progress reports are timely prepared and submitted to UNDP on a quarterly basis;
• Supervise contractors especially technical assistants to ensure quality and timely delivery of contracted services;
•  Provide inputs to advocacy, knowledge building, and communication efforts.
•  Prepare project briefs and talking points on inclusive governance

3.    Contribute to resource mobilization and partnership for the CO inclusive governance projects and initiatives

•  Elaborate on the projects funding and technical needs;
•  Conduct partnership mapping and effective partnership building
• Propose tools for partnerships and resource mobilization
• Support in developing resource mobilization strategies;

Develop proposals for resource mobilization in the area of inclusive governance.

4.    Promote collaboration and partnership among project stakeholders

•   Identify strategic partners and stakeholders and facilitate collaboration and partnership
•  Serve as a focal point between UNDP and projects partners;
•  Identify synergies between the activities of project stakeholders and ensure collaboration.
•  Serve as a focal point for inclusive governance within the UNDP, Government, CSO, and private sector partners
• Document UNDP interventions, results, and lessons learnt to inform planning, policy and making
•  Strengthen and sustain collaboration and partnership including facilitating exchange, develop partnership framework, and monitor their implementation.

 IV.          Impact of Results

The expected result is effective coordination and implementation of the activities related to inclusive governance, more specifically the gender Accountability and the disability inclusion projects. The impact from this result is increased gender responsiveness in the private sector and public institutions and strengthened inclusion of persons with disabilities in policymaking and development processes. The coordinator will also ensure a strong partnership and resource mobilization for the inclusive governance portfolio.

V.           Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies:

•   Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
•  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
•    Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
•   Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

 Planning and Organizing: Identifies priority interventions and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in the project.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

 Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

 Management and Leadership: Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors; Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

 VI.          VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social sciences, International Development, Governance, Gender studies, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Political science, Law or related field;
• Specialized professional training in project management is an asset.

Experience:

•  At least 5 years of experience in development projects implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building of partners.
•  A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in inclusive governance and development;\
•   Proven experience working in areas of social justice, inclusive governance, human rights, gender equality, or related field;
•  Evidence/proof of past experience in executing similar assignments within a multi stakeholder’s framework;
• Sound knowledge on national, regional, and global human rights and non-discrimination frameworks;
•  Proven competencies in research and facilitation skills, as well as ability to multi-task, deliver on time, and work with limited supervision;

Language Requirements:

Proven excellent communication and writing skills in English and Kinyarwanda. Knowledge of French is an added advantage;

VII.         Signatures- Job Description Certification

Head of hiring unit

Name: Nadine U. Rugwe            Signature                                         Date:

Deputy Resident Representative

Name: Varsha R. Palepu           Signature                                        Date

I. Position Information

Job Code Title: National PBF Project Coordinator Re- Advertised

Position Number:

Department: RBA/ Rwanda

Duty Station: Rubavu, Rwanda

Duration:  One-year renewable.

Grade:  SB5

Position Status: Project Funded Post

II. Organizational Context

The Great Lakes region has historically suffered from cyclical violence that finds its roots in poverty and political conflict. “Intensifying hostility among states in the Great Lakes threatens a return to the regional wars that tore that region apart in previous decades” – the International Crisis Group warned in January 2020, calling for greater and more robust UN engagement in support of Peacebuilding in the region. It is against this background that FAO, UNDP, and WFP in both DRC and Rwanda have developed the project “Creating peace dividends for women and youth through increased cross-border trade and strengthened food security Cross Border” in collaboration with national counterparts in both countries and with the support from the Peace Building Fund.

The project “Creating peace dividends for women and youth through increased cross-border trade and strengthened food security Cross Border” focuses on one of Africa’s most critical trading posts linking Western and Eastern Central Africa and the Goma – Rubavu border between DRC and Rwanda, a historical hot-spot of conflict but also a key source of resilience in the Great Lakes region.  The project contributes to peacebuilding and social cohesion in the DRC-Rwanda border areas around Goma and Rubavu by deepening economic integration through increased cross-border trade, fostering mutual understanding and dialogue between border communities and strengthening food security, livelihood, and income opportunities, particularly for women and youth.

The project is built on the assumption that if essential impediments to local cross-border trade of agricultural products are reduced, if the capacities of young entrepreneurs in cross-border trade development are enhanced and if capacities for agricultural production are strengthened and expanded on both sides of the border, with a focus on the capacities and opportunities of women and young people then, conditions for cross-border trade will improve and cross-border community interaction will foster mutual understanding and trust by providing opportunities for dialogue among social groups around common and mutual economic interests and the increased availability of income and livelihood opportunities will reduce incentives to engage in violence as a means of improving economic circumstances, thus strengthening Peacebuilding.

To achieve this, the project focuses on resolving underlying issues and grievances linked to unequal agricultural production and trade competition on the two sides of the border. Any promotion of agricultural production and cross-border trade needs to be sensitive to the perceived and real concerns over competition between the two border communities.  The project also aims at addressing key impediments to cross-border trade by reducing barriers to access to income-generating activities and food supplies for communities on both sides of the border. Harassment and the prevalence of bribes and unofficial payments at the border are among the most serious hindrances to access to markets by small-scale traders.

Economic inclusion of women and youth is at the center of this project. The proposed strengthening of cross-border trade is a key means of economic integration of vulnerable groups, especially women and youth. The focus on supporting small scale traders, primarily young and female, is a way to empower women and youth at the local level, which has been shown to strengthen the resilience of communities and help mitigate risks of conflict.

Furthermore, there is significant untapped potential to increase profitability, and thus further consolidate livelihoods, by improving the value-chain of agricultural production. This could have an expanded peacebuilding impact by reducing the gap in growth rate of horticulture production and trade between the DRC and Rwanda sides of the border, and by providing opportunities for collaboration around common economic interests between small-holder farmers and traders on both sides of the border

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Team leader of the Transformational Governance Unit based in Kigali, the National Project Coordinator is to work with WFP, FAO and UNDP project teams, government counterparts (including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Gender Monitoring Office, the Rwanda Bar Association, the Rwanda national Police, the Ministry of Youth, UN partners (including Resident Coordinator’s Office), the Private Sector Federation, trade cooperatives and Civil Society Organizations.

The Project Coordinator will coordinate the activities under the Outcome and two outputs of the projects and ensure timely and quality delivery of the Peacebuilding Fund project in Rwanda by participating UN agencies and Implementing partners. The National Project Coordinator will promote a client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the project and will work in close collaboration with WFP, FAO, and UNDP project focal points and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Implementing partners for resolving complex programme management issues.

In addition, the National Project Coordinator will also collaborate on a regular basis with the Project Manager based in Goma, for quality and timely implementation of project outputs but also ensure synergy between the activities implemented in DRC and Rwanda within the framework of this project.

III. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the UNDP Transformational Governance Unit in close collaboration with  FAO and WFP project focal points, government stakeholders, CSOs, private companies, and communities, the National Project Coordinator will implement the agreed activities as per the approved project proposal and ensure that targets are reached as set out in the approved Integrated Results Framework.

The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management and administration of the project in close collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry as lead Ministry, Implementing partners including the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Gender Monitoring Office, the Rwanda Bar Association, and CSO as well as with WFP, FAO and UNDP technical teams under the broader guidance of the Project Steering Committee. The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for project implementation, coordination of monitoring, and evaluation (M&E), project communication, and project reporting.

Specific Duties/Deliverables

 Project implementation

•  Ensure adequate project, planning, monitoring, and evaluation for the project outcome: Social cohesion and peace dividends in the Goma- Rubavu border area strengthened through increased cross-border trade, enhanced food security, and increased livelihood and income opportunities, particularly for women and youth.
•  Provide technical support to UN agencies and implementing partners throughout the implementation of the project
•  Directly oversee implementation of the project and regularly update the direct stakeholders..
•  Provide quality assurance oversight to the implementation of the outcome activities, including enhancing the promotion of peace throughout the income generating activities, food security and dialogue between border communities with a focus on women and youth entrepreneurs and expanding agricultural production and productivity for smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, to strengthen food security and livelihoods.
•   Oversee the targeting of project beneficiaries to ensure alignment with do not harm principles and leave no one behind.
• Liaise with FAO, WFP, and UNDP project focal points to ensure the effective and efficient project delivery
•  Oversee the collection and maintenance of records on a project for statistical purpose in consultation with FAO, WFP, and UNDP project focal points.
•  Work in collaboration with UNDP, WFP, and FAO gender focal persons to ensure that implemented activities are gender-responsive to ensure the full participation of targeted women.
•   Ensure the project results are adequately communicated in collaboration with communication teams from UNDP, WFP, FAO, and national counterparts.
• Ensure that all projects activities remain on track while delivering on the set technical and financial targets.

Project coordination

• Ensure timely and quality implementation of activities outlined in the approved project proposal, including closely coordinating with WFP, FAO, and their respective government and CSO counterparts to ensure timely and quality delivery of outcome activities.
• Work in close collaboration with targeted beneficiaries including farmers and traders’ cooperatives to ensure their full participation in the project for long-term impact.
•  Overall coordination of planning, implementation, management, and monitoring aspects of the project operations.
•  Ensure organization and continuity of the monthly technical meetings
•   Ensure the overall relevance, and performance of the project, the effective realization and quality of outputs, and compliance with  applicable UN and SIG standards, rules, and regulations.
• Ensure strong partnerships and coordination between the project, the Government lead Ministry in particular the Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), and other project Implementing partners and stakeholders, by facilitating communication and exchange of lessons learned and good practices.
•  Support organizing bi-annual Project Board Meetings to provide a comprehensive update on project implementation, identifying challenges faced to find a way forward.
•  Follow-up on the implementation of Project Board decisions and recommendation;
• Ensure synergy between the activities implemented in Rwanda and the activities implemented in DRC within the context of this project and maintain good collaboration with the project team based in DRC.

Policy advice and support to UNDP, FAO and WFP and national counterparts on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the long-term beyond the PBF project

•  Ensure the integration of the UN programming principles (Leave no one behind, human rights-based approach, gender equality, sustainability, and resilience as well as accountability), environmental protection, inclusion, and other relevant cross-cutting themes in the design and implementation of conflict prevention and peacebuilding projects.
•  Provide support in drafting policy notes, speeches, statements, communication products, etc. on peace building and conflict prevention
•  Lead resource mobilization initiatives for conflict prevention and peacebuilding within the framework of this project

 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Provide technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation, as well as in preparing project reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned, and good practices for possible wider application.
• Ensure timely compilation and submission of quality progress reports to UN PBF together with WFP and FAO project focal points as per the contractual agreement for PBF project.
• Organize and document quarterly project review meetings with government and partners to track project progress and prepare Quarterly progress reports.
• Ensure compliance with the PBF and UNDP monitoring, evaluation, and reporting requirements.

III. Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates high moral integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards, sound political judgment, as diplomacy, impartially and discretion, and proved capacity of the initiative, leadership, and autonomy.
•  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic, goals of UNDP.
•  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitively and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Strategic Policy Direction

• Be able to lead the strategic planning, formulation, and monitoring of programmatic issues
• Ability to identify programme/project development challenges and highlights key peacebuilding issues and provides policy advice based on best global experiences and practices.
• Demonstrates capacity to provide substantial advice in formulating policy options for Rwanda Government on cross-border trade and peace consolidation

Programme Support

• To be able to provide advice and recommendations to the UN team on how UN can further strengthen and support the government after the end of PBF project.
• To be able to guide and advise, in close consultation with the Project Board in preparation of the project activities and budgets of the project.

Management

•  Demonstrates proven team-working skills, specific experience of mentoring colleagues, and of other aspects of capacity development.
•  Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client, and responds positively to feedback.
•  Effective communication skills and the ability to establish good working relationships with national and local authorities, and donor partners.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Remains calm, in control, and good humored even under pressure.
•  Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive environment, with a minimum of comfort.
•   Proven negotiation, analytical, networking, and organizational skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

•   Demonstrates the capacity to plan, prioritize, and deliver tasks on time to meet goals in a highly pressured environment and to support other colleagues in achieving similar goals.
•  Demonstrates capacity to respond flexibly and positively to change through active involvement and generation of innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
• Ability to facilitate strategic planning, results-based management, and reporting.
• Ability to facilitate implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of project interventions as well as resource mobilization in close consultation with local counterparts and transferring knowledge.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example: Excellent knowledge of capacity building theory and the application of methodology: good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies;
• Excellent ability to identify significant capacity-building opportunities, ability to get capacity built, excellent ability to demonstrate national capacities built (mastery of the tools and their application);
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan, and applies newly acquired skills;
• Display an understanding of the relevant contemporary ICT tools and continuously act towards personal capacity building;
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with all UN staff.

  Communications and Networking          

• Has excellent oral communication skills in English and competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors.
• Has excellent written communication skills in English, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in Development Studies, Law, International Business and trade, Agricultural Business, Economics, Project Management or a related field. Post graduations, specific study and publications in peace building, food security, cross border trade, and governance matters are an asset.

Experience:

ü 7 years of proven experience in peacebuilding and cross border trade programme implementation with Government Institution, CSOs, local, regional or International Organizations.

ü  Past experience in working with the UN in particular – would be an asset.

ü  Knowledge of UN assistance procedures and best practice and regional experience in East and Central Africa would also be an asset.

ü  Knowledge or experience in applying peace building or PBF modalities, guidance, approaches

ü  and projects is an asset.

ü  Proven experience in mainstreaming UN programming principles and project management principles

ü  Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with officials, governments’ representatives, civil society organizations, and international organizations.

ü  Experience in coordinating on peacebuilding or similar projects would be an added value.

ü  Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe In-Design; web-based management systems; Fluency in the use of social media.

Language requirements:

Demonstrated analytical skills and fluency in both English and French with excellent verbal and drafting skills.

Head of hiring unit

Name: Nadine U. Rugwe                                              Signature                         Date:

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative

Name:  Varsha Redkar-Palepu                                          Signature                            Date