JOB OPPORTUNITY AT CRS/RWANDA
Job Title: Education Project Manager
Department: Programming
Band: 10
Reports to: Head of Programming
Location: Rwanda (Kigali)
This position is contingent upon Donor Funding
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Country Program (CP) Secondary Education programming for an anticipated multiyear project. You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its Secondary Education programming in keeping with stringent donor and Government of Rwanda standards.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Lead management, guidance, and technical oversight of a proposed new Secondary Education for Out of School youth project throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
- Lead activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project in Rwanda. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
- Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
- Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
- Effectively manage talent for Secondary Education project and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Engage and strengthen partnerships relevant to the Project, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
- Represent the project with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors advancing youth secondary education.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Secondary Education and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
Basic Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Education, Social Sciences, International Relations required. Additional experience may substitute for some education requirements.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of Secondary Education, TVETs or equivalent.
- Experience in managing moderately complex projects, preferably with an international NGO.
Required Languages – English and Kinyarwanda. French a plus.
Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 35%.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
- Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
Preferred Qualifications
- Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations
- MEAL skills and experience required.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Youth Education Specialist, MEAL PM I, Safeguarding Lead
Key Working Relationships:
Internal – Project Staff, Head of Programming, Project Grants Analyst, Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Fleet Manager, Administrative Manager
External – Project stakeholders
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the attached application form, , Self -Declaration Clause and submit them together with one page Cover letter plus updated CV (maximum three pages) all in/as one PDF document - via email only to: RW_HR@crs.org not later than Thursday, June 12th 2025, at 5:00pm.
Please, include the statement below in your cover letter:
“By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.”
Also include your full names and title “Project Manager @ Band 10” in the subject line. Due to anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Kigali May 29th, 2025.