JOB OPPORTUNITY – PROJECT OFFICER, VANISHING TREASURES PROJECT

The International Gorilla Conservation Programme is a coalition of three international conservation organizations: Conservation International (CI), Fauna & Flora (FF) and WWF. IGCP’s mission is to Secure the Future for Mountain Gorillas(Gorilla beringei beringei). The programme operates in the three countries that share the habitat of the mountain gorillas; Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda, and works in close partnership with the Protected Area Authorities of the three countries (Rwanda Development Board, RDB in Rwanda; Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN in DRC; Uganda Wildlife Authority, UWA in Uganda) and the umbrella mechanism for transboundary collaboration through the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC). IGCP also maintains a large number of partnerships with civil society organizations, community-based organizations, research institutions, private sector and local government.

IGCP seeks to hire a dynamic, dedicated, highly qualified and experienced person to fill the position of Project Officer for the Vanishing Treasures (VT) project.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Position title : Project Officer
• Reports to: IGCP Country Coordinator, Rwanda
• Dotted line report: IGCP Deputy Director
• Duty Station: IGCP Musanze office
• Employment type: Full-time employment
• Employment contract: 2-year fixed-term contract
• Start date: As soon as possible

SUMMARY OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Vanishing Treasures Project is a global project funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg through UNEP/GRASP with the main aim of enhancing climate resilience of mountain communities, species and ecosystems by applying climate-smart conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches in support of sustainable livelihoods and land-use. The project was designed to respond to human-wildlife conflict, promote alternative livelihoods and mitigate the impacts caused by climate change and socio-economic pressures.

IGCP will implement this project in two Districts of Rubavu and Nyabihu, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in the Western Province of Rwanda. The Project Officer will lead the development of detailed activities of the project as well as its implementation, with a particular focus on promoting smart agriculture practices to enhance the protection of the park.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Routine:

• Develop detailed activities to promote nature-based solutions (NBS) with a focus on climate smart agriculture practices, in consultation with government authorities and other partners.
• Elaborate annual, quarterly and monthly activity work plans for the project.
• Support Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to develop socioeconomic projects and work closely with them in the implementation.
• Lead the implementation and monitoring of the project activities in consultation with government authorities and other partners.
• Prepare and deliver training for local leaders and communities on climate change mitigation and adaptation, using the Participatory Integrated Planning or Plan Intégré Paysan (PIP) approach.
• Organize training sessions and exchange learning visits for the community members.
• Work with the Monitoringand Evaluation Team to conduct project related surveys and collect project M&E data.
• Ensure that the project implementation is in line with the existing Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESSF) guidelines and standards.

Reporting:

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual technical reports.
• Work with M&E staff to design and implement plans to track data/results related to the project and use data/findings to plan interventions accordingly.
• Provide technical support during program monitoring and development of annual work plans.
• Prepare and share periodic reports and update all technical staff on successes, challenges and lessons learned in implementation of community health activities; and
• Support the project beneficiary groups in developing weekly, monthly and quarterly reports and work plans.

Working Relationships

• Internal:The Project Officer will work closely with the Country Coordinator and Deputy Director to ensure high quality project implementation and achievement of desired outcomes. In addition, she/he will work closely with the M&E Officer to develop the monitoring and evaluation plan as well as conduct project-related surveys.

• External:The Project Officer will work closely with government authorities and other stakeholders throughout the development and implementation of the project activities

Other duties:

• Provide input, where appropriate, to other technical work undertaken by the IGCP programs.
• Perform any other tasks that may be requested from time to time that are appropriate to skills and experience

Travel

• To perform the duties of this position, the Project Officer will conduct regular field visits to the administrative sectors from the two Districts adjacent to VNP. Travel is estimated at approximately 50% of working days. In these cases, IGCP perdiem policy will be applied.

REQUIREMENTS

• Nationality: Rwandese
• A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development or related field.
• Strong technical knowledge of biodiversity conservation, natural resources management and livelihood improvement, with the ability to articulate the interlinkages between these components and climate-smart agriculture.
• At least 5 years of experience in developing and implementing climate-smart agricultural practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multidisciplinary teams as a considerate team player.
• A good understanding of NBS and practical experience implementing the PIP approach.
• Familiarity with relevant national and local stakeholders in the agriculture sector and proven ability to collaborate effectively with local governments, NGOs, and community groups is required
• The candidate should be capable of developing and delivering public or community work with a focus on linking people, nature, and livelihoods.
• Proficiency in standard word processing, spreadsheet, and other computer programs.
• The candidate should be qualified as a “trainer of trainers”, i.e. a person able to train other trainers in using competency-based approaches, experience in training community members on agricultural practices will be an added value.
• Driving license Category A.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English, with strong written and oral communication skills, is a must.
• Additionally, experience working with international NGOs, government agencies, or research institutions, along with familiarity with ESSF and M&E is highly desirable.
• The candidate must also demonstrate adherence to IGCP’s values of Respect for diversity, Teamwork, Integrity, Initiative and Dedication.

HOW TO APPLY:

Should you wish to apply for this position, please submit your application PDF file that combines the following: (1) motivation letter, (2) updated CV, (3) notarized Degrees and (4) employment certificates to prove your working experience. Your application email subject should be “ PROJECT OFFICER, VT PROJECT” and submitted to the IGCP Director not later than July 14, 2025 via email: hr@igcp.org with copy to jhirwa@igcp.org

SHORTLISTING

Shortlisting and interviews will be done on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates are highly recommended to submit their applications as soon as they can. Only applicants fulfilling the above requirements will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within one month from the submission date of your application, consider your application unsuccessful.

REFERENCE & VETTING CHECK

We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference. We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission.

IGCP carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates. As part of safeguarding, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment).

Data Protection assurance

IGCP will not retain your Personal Data for longer than is allowed by law or is necessary for the Purposes.

If you are selected and offered employment, the Personal Data you have provided will be used by IGCP for the purpose of human resource management and administration. If you are unsuccessful on this occasion to secure employment with IGCP, IGCP will retain your Personal Data for the allowed period by laws for the purpose of considering you for other suitable positions as and when they arise. If you do not wish to be considered for other suitable positions by IGCP, please indicate accordingly in your application letter.

IGCP is an “Equal Opportunity Employer”.

IGCP is a great place to work and prides itself on its comprehensive benefits package. We offer competitive salaries and a dynamic inclusive work environment.

IGCP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and requires affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. This is also to include inquiry about, disclosing, or discussing their compensation or the compensation of other applicants or employees.