Program Specialist at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD): (Deadline 26 February 2024)

1. Background Information

Job Title: program Specialist

Job Grade: 5

Department: Education Portfolio Management

Reports to: Head Education Portfolio Management

Direct Reports: N/A

Indirect Reports: N/A

2. Contract Terms: 5 years in line with the program’s lifetime

3. Purpose of the Job

The Program Specialist will be responsible for leading the planning and budgeting process for activities to be implemented, including the development of annual work plans and budget. He will also ensure that all activities are planned, budgeted for, and executed in line with project agreements in a timely manner, meeting key project milestones and results indicators set.

Ensure adherence to MCF guidelines and procedures and facilitate the effective distribution of program funds. Produce all required reports as prescribed in Mastercard guidelines.

4. Main Responsibilities of the Job:

• Manage the Master Card program and provide effective steer in the development and implementation of program activities.
• Maintain strategic overview of all aspects of program design and implementation (M&E, technical, etc.), ensuring coherence and quality assurance, as well as timely delivery of key documents.
• Lead the planning and budgeting process for activities to be implemented (developing annual work plans and budgets), and ensure that all activities are planned, budgeted for, and executed in line with project agreements in a timely manner, meeting key project milestones and results indicators set.
• Ensure adherence to MCF guidelines and procedures, and effective distribution of program funds, including those applicable to Direct People Costs, Indirect People Costs, event Costs and Individual Beneficiary Costs (Cost of Laptops).
• Establish and maintain effective, inclusive, and collaborative coordination and working relationships with different partners and other key program stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and high-quality program reporting in line with BRD’s agreements with its development partners and stakeholders, furnishing requisite report to the MCF.
• Support the implementation of recommendations from the development partners and stakeholders’ assessments of the Program.
• Ensure that all requisite processes for smooth program implementation and robust supervision are established.
• Quarterly narrative report (By the 15th of the next month following the end of the quarter).
• Progress report (every month).
• Annual work plan and budget.

5. Performance indicators

• Proven track record of fund management, preferably management of donor fund, social impact funds with high impact on development outcomes.
• Proven track record of effectively leading and managing a project team.
• Proven track record of managing a technical project of similar nature, size, and scope.
• Technical knowledge of Rwandan’s ICT and innovation sector, including familiarity with issues tackled by the project, is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain highly effective relationships with development partners, industry players and other stakeholders, adopting a highly inclusive and collaborative approach, building strong networks with the range of stakeholders.
• Familiarity with policies and procedures of donors would be an added asset, and prior experience of WB-funded project an added advantage.
• Demonstrable working knowledge of fiduciary operations in program/ project management (Financial Management; and Procurement).
• Experience in implementation and oversight of projects and programs, including M&E.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including ability to think strategically and innovatively about the role of digital technologies for socio-economic development and for transformation in other sectors of the economy.
• Strong business judgment and analytical decision making, analyzing facts and data to support sound and logical decisions.

6. Working relationships

• All BRD departments
• All Projects Stakeholders

7. Professional, academic qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in project management or in accounting/Finance/Business Administration or any other related field
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business Management, Business Administration, or equivalent
• A globally recognized professional certificate in project management is preferred.
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in managing projects/funds of a similar scale and nature.

8. Core competencies

• Strongly results-oriented and able to manage a complex and multi-faceted workload with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to listen and integrate ideas from diverse views, create partnerships and collaborate with others, advocate, and influence, resolve conflicts constructively, and work effectively across boundaries even without active guidance from the management.
• Ability to maintain strategic overview and manage priorities yet be detail-orientated within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to make forward-looking and practical decisions and operate effectively in a results-oriented and implementation culture.
• Proven ability to think analytically and strategically.
• Solid IT skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Should demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and integrity.

9. Duty Station

The duty station will be located at BRD Headquarters in Kigali, but applicants must be willing to travel within Rwanda to support field monitoring and abroad to benefit from training or knowledge exchange.