Ascent Project Officer at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD): (Deadline 8 March 2025)

Ascent Project Officer at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD): (Deadline 8 March 2025)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) Plc is Rwanda’s only National Development Bank mandated to support Rwanda’s Vision 2050 development agenda. Over the past five years, the bank has registered exponential growth contributing to socio-economic development, strengthening institutional and human capacity, fostering corporate governance and risk management practices.

The Bank is implementing the revised strategic plan for 2024-2028 which is appropriately aligned to the country’s strategic direction enabling the Bank to unlock better value creation for its stakeholders by supporting entrepreneurs, addressing market failures, and impactful socioeconomic development.

To deliver on its bold vision and impactful objectives, the Bank’s expanded and refocused mandate is underpinned on four strategic focus areas:

• Availing transformational finance.
• Increasing green financing for a resilient future.
• Driving scale and impact.
• Fostering innovation and technology.

To achieve its strategic mandate, BRD recognizes the importance of strengthening its human and institutional capital to drive sustainable development and ensure the Bank remains a center of excellence in the financial sector.

BRD is committed to respecting gender equality and disability norms. We promote gender-responsive practices. Qualified candidates particularly females and persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To help accomplish this ambitious and exciting vision, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) would like to recruit suitable qualified candidates to fill the following positions:

ASCENT PROJECT OFFICER (1)

Contract Terms: 4 years’ fixed term (Based on the project lifespan)

Purpose of the Job:

The Project Officer for the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT – Rwanda) project will assist in planning, executing, and completing clean energy projects, ensuring they meet deadlines, budgets, and sustainability goals. S/he must understand energy projects mainly off-grid solar, clean cooking, and productive use of energy, and ensure project development objectives and indicators, as outlined in the project appraisal document are tracked. The project officer will monitor progress, identify risks, allocate resources, and maintain effective communication with stakeholders. S/he will also address risks, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with ASCENT’s standards. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, along with knowledge of clean energy systems, are essential for success in this role. More information about ASCENT – Rwanda is available on https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P180575.

Main Responsibilities of the Job:

Project Coordination:

• Assists the project coordinator in the development of ASCENT plans, annual budget,subsidy management, timelines, and deliverables.
• Support the project coordinator for coordination with team members, stakeholders, and partners to ensure smooth project execution.

Administrative Support:

• Maintains and properly filing of ASCENT project related documents such as activity plans, reports, contracts, project data, and budgets.
• Prepares ASCENT meeting, training and workshop agendas, drafts minutes/reports, and updates the progress to stakeholders.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Tracks ASCENT progress against project indicators and results framework.
• Compiles data for performance metrics and prepares detailed reports.
• Identifies risks, issues, and deviations from the ASCENT plan and suggests mitigation measures.
• Works with the M&E Officer for the project’s successful monitoring and reporting against targets.

Resource Management:

• Assists the project coordinator in allocating resources, including personnel, tools, and finances.
• Supports the team to have access to the resources required to meet project goals.
• Drafts the ToRs and scope of works for consultancy contractswith consultants as such consultancy work may be required for the successful execution of the project.

Communication and Liaison:

• Acts as a liaison officer for communication between the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and external stakeholders.
• With guidance from the Head of SPI, s/he may take the lead or stand in the absenceof the project coordinator.
• Facilitates effective communication to ensure everyone is aligned with ASCENT project objectives.

Risk and Issue Management:

• Supports under the guidance of the PIU to identify potential risks and issues that could impact ASCENT project success.
• Assist the PIU in the development and implementation of mitigation strategies.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Ensures ASCENT project complies with standards and regulations as required by BRD and the funders.
• Assists in maintaining the quality of ASCENT project deliverables.

Budget Management:

• Tracks and manages expenses to ensure ASCENT projects remain within budget.
• Reports any financial discrepancies or concerns to the ASCENT project coordinator.
• S/he is expected to perform any other tasks assigned by the project coordinator.

Working relationships

Across the different departments withing BRD, mainly business development, risk, legal, and internal audit. The incumbent should establish a strong working relationship with external stakeholders, mainly Ministry of Infrastructure, World Bank, AIIB, REG/EDCL, energy private companies, and the development partner.

Professional, academic qualifications and experience

Education:

• A Master’s or bachelor’s degree in Renewable Energy, Energy Economics, Business Studies, Electrical Power Engineering, Project Management, Development Studies, or related field.

Experience:

• For bachelor’s degree holders: At least 5 years of relevant experience in project  financing and implementation, with preference to energy projects.
• For master’s degree holders: At least 3 years of relevant experience in project  financing and implementation, with preference to energy projects. .
• Proven ability to independently conduct capacity-building activities and training to project stakeholders, mainly energy private companies.
• Experience in contributing to the assessment of the environmental impacts and social safeguards of energy projects.
• Familiarity with World Bank or Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) financed distributed renewable energy projects is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to provide clear, and excellent assessments/recommendations for projects related to energy financing.
• Strong skills in reporting and analyzing energy projects that are implemented under results-based financing (RBF) subsidy and credit line facilities.
• Ability to translate complex data into accessible, user-friendly reports.
• Excellent conflict management and decision-making skills at all levels.
• Proficiency in computer applications for monitoring energy projects, preparing reports, letters, and presentations.
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within teams and across diverse groups.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall among others).
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Basic financial literacy for budget management and tracking.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with various teams.
• Fluency in English is required, with proficiency in Kinyarwanda preferred.

Application Guidelines:

Interested candidates should apply online (https://www.brd.rw/careers/ ) and upload application documents including Curriculum Vitae, copies of degree certificates and professional certificates, motivation letter, names of three previous supervisors (as one document) as well as their emails and telephone.

Only online applications shall be considered.

Email-only for inquiries (not application): [email protected]

Address all applications to the Head, Human Capital, and Corporate Services of BRD.

Deadline for application: March 8, 2025.

The employment package is highly competitive and attractive.

Only Candidates with the right qualifications and relevant experience shall be shortlisted and contacted for a written test.

Done in Kigali,February 21, 2025.

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