Project Coordinator at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD): (Deadline 19 March 2025)

Project Coordinator at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD): (Deadline 19 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 position:

RDAP- PROJECT COORDINATOR (1)

 1. Background Information

Job Title: RDAP- Project Coordinator

Division: SPI

Reports to: Head of SPI

2. Contract Terms: 2 Years Fixed- Term Renewable

3. Purpose of the Job

The Project Coordinator will oversee the project’s implementation, ensuring compliance with World Bank fiduciary and environmental and social requirements, manage the PIU team, while coordinating with key stakeholders and beneficiaries in the execution of project activities.
The role will also have a specific technical focus on the development and management of the grant appraisal process for startups seeking support via the early- stage financing facility, acting as a start-up expert.

4. Main Responsibilities of the Job

 The Project Coordinator shall carry out the following main project management responsibilities:

• Manage the RDAP PIU at BRD and provide effective steer in the development and implementation of the project in line with the approved project implementation manual;
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, the RISA team, and all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the four key subcomponents/activities of the project implemented by the BRD: Access to Affordable Smart Devices, Early Stage Finance to Startups, Students Loans, and Project Management;
• Maintain strategic overview of all aspects of project design and implementation (fiduciary, M&E, technical etc.), ensuring coherence and quality assurance, as well as timely delivery of key documents and outputs by the BRD PIU, with inputs from other PIU members;
• Lead the needs identification, planning and budgeting process for the funded activities to be implemented, furnishing a Annual Work Plan and Budget for BRD activities for management and WB approval;
• Ensure that all activities are planned, budgeted for and executed in line with project agreements in a timely manner, meeting key project milestones established, in line with fiduciary requirements and the approved AWP&B;
• Coordinate and manage the PIU team, by ensuring appropriate performance management systems in line with BRD policies, procedures and guidelines in place;
• Ensure the BRD PIU team’s effective delivery of the project against the Financing Agreements, including the formulation and periodic review and update of the AWP&B, as needed;
• Ensure adherence to WB guidelines and procedures, and effective disbursement of project funds;
• Establish and maintain effective, inclusive and collaborative coordination and working relationships with development partners and other key project stakeholders, including beneficiaries, serving as the main interlocutor on issues related to the overall project design and implementation;
• Oversee the beneficiary selection process associated and financial due diligence (where applicable) to be undertaken in the implementation of key activities;
• Oversee the due diligence process, including Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), ensuring compliance with legal, statutory, and financial requirements.
• Represent BRD in grant/subsidy committees and provide support required in the selection of providers/beneficiaries.
• Ensure award of financing to selected beneficiaries, based on well-prepared and signed beneficiary agreements, and track their implementation/compliance, including by reviewing beneficiary reporting.
• Ensure compliance with E&S commitments undertaken, including related due diligence, monitoring, and effectively addressing compliant, based on established procedures and in close coordination with E&S staff.
• Ensure timely, high quality project reporting in line with BRD’s agreements with its development partners and stakeholders, including semester project reporting, quarterly financial and E&S reporting.
• Assist in the organization of implementation support missions undertaken by the WB.
• Support the implementation of recommendations from the development partners and stakeholders’ assessments of the Project.
• Stay abreast of sectoral-wide development that may reasonably be expected to impact the project, including but not limited to action taken by Government or other donor-funded activities in the sector.
• Ensure tracking of key project results and key performance indicators.
• Ensure that all requisite processes for smooth project implementation and robust supervision are established, including but not limited to drafting and managing ad hoc updates to the Project Implementation Manual, establishing an M&E and reporting system, formalizing relationships with project beneficiaries and stakeholders, calling and preparing steering committee meetings, with the support of the wider RDAP PIU team.
• Additionally, the Project Coordinator carry out the following technical activities pertaining to the early-stage financing facility:
• Develop and operationalize the grant appraisal and monitoring processes for early-stage startups, ensuring a structured and transparent framework in line with project documents and BRD guidelines that is proportionate to risks.

Performance indicators

• Quality, completeness and turn-around time for the selection and onboarding of project beneficiaries.
• Quality, completeness and timely delivery of project reporting and work plans.
• Timeline for and total amount of disbursements to selected beneficiaries.
• Startups supported through the project (number), including the % of women founders.
• Digital startups supported creating and/or leveraging a digital technology solution (Number).
• Beneficiaries that receive support under the smart device financing scheme (Number), including women and in rural areas
• People certified in advanced digital skills (number);
• Beneficiary satisfaction with support provided (percentage)
• Grant disbursed (%) and defaulted (%)
• Loans disbursed (%) and repaid (%).
• Timeline for resolution of complaints.

Working relationships

 All BRD departments

• Government stakeholders involved in activities implemented, including RISA SPIU, Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), Higher Education Council (HEC), Embassies, National Council for Persons with Disabilities etc.
• Co-financiers: WB and AIIB
• Project beneficiaries: students, start-ups, devices providers/operators etc.

Professional, academic qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree preferred (minimum acceptable is a bachelor’s degree) in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, Telecommunications, Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• A professional qualification such as PMP, PRINCE2, CFA, or another relevant certification in project management, finance, or digital innovation is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in project coordination and management, in a managerial role:
• Prior experience managing large projects (more than USD 10M) is preferred.
• Prior experiences of donor-funded initiatives implementation is preferred.
• Project management experience should include staff and fiduciary management, as well as effectives stakeholder engagement.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in early-stage financing experience:
• Demonstrated knowledge of VC and angel investing is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic insights and recommendations based on the Rwandan startup and early-stage financing landscape, enabling informed decision-making and program optimization.
• Strong working knowledge and network of contacts in digital innovation ecosystems, financial inclusion, and technology-driven economic development initiatives.
• Track record of effectively navigating grant programs, demonstrating the ability to provide strategic insights, manage challenges, and leverage opportunities unique to the Rwandan entrepreneurial landscape.

Core competencies

• Sound stakeholder management and effective interpersonal skills capable of maintaining strong relationships, with tact and diplomacy.
• Abilities to confidently convey complex information, offer guidance, and present findings to wide range of stakeholders.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Problem solving skills – developing practical solutions to drive successful implementation.
• Demonstrated team leadership, organizational and managerial skills – able to supervise a team and coordinate group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear and properly communicated.
• Strong strategic mindset, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English – reporting writing and presentation skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite and strong Excel skills.

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.

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.

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 11, 2025.

The employment package is highly competitive and attractive.

Only Candidates with the right qualifications and relevant experience shall be shortlisted and contacted for an interview.

Done in Kigali,March 5, 2025.

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