JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Who we are:

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is proud to manage one of the most comprehensive and enduring datasets on any animal species. Recently, the Fossey Fund has expanded its research to include additional gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park, aligning with our strategic goal of achieving 100% research coverage within the next five (5) years. These data are essential for advancing scientific knowledge of gorillas and informing conservation strategies for this endangered species.

To support this mission, we are seeking a talented young professional to join our team as a project Assistant for the Girls in Conservation project. This initiative will select aspiring female students in the secondary schools that Fossey Fund partners with and provide them with life skill lessons, a mentor, and a scholarship to increase school attendance, educational attainment and paid opportunities post-secondary school. The position is based at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, located in Kinigi, Rwanda. The successful applicant will join an exciting project and team that is growing and contributing to gender equity in Rwanda. 

Position: Project Assistant, Girls in Conservation(GIC)

Job Purpose:

The Project Assistant, Girls in Conservation (GIC) will provide operational and administrative support to the GIC Program. This role ensures smooth delivery of trainings, workshops, and program activities by handling planning, logistics, data entry, stakeholder communications, and day-to-day coordination. This role contributes to advancing gender equity in conservation by facilitating outreach, supporting educational activities, and strengthening community relationships. The Project Assistant will work closely with the Project Coordinator to support all phases of the program and contribute to its overall success.

The role ensures that high-quality data are collected, analyzed, reported, and utilized by the program teams in decision-making. The position is part of the Community Engagement Team and reports directly to the Girls in Conservation Project Coordinator.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Program Support & Implementation

• Prepare training materials, agenda, presentations and workshop resources
• Coordinate logistics for trainings (venue setup, food caterer, participant registration, supplies, etc)
• Provide on-site support during trainings, including note-taking and participant coordination 
• Ensure timely delivery of resources to schools, mentors and participants 
• Conduct field visits to schools to supervise lesson delivery and, when needed, facilitate sessions directly.
• Support the Project Coordinator in executing each phase of the GIC action plan
• Help ensure program activities align with timelines and objectives 

Data Management & Monitoring

• Collect, enter, and maintain accurate program data (attendance, feedback, monitoring forms)
• Support preparation of reports and documentation for internal and external stakeholders 
• Conduct follow-up visits to monitor progress of program activities, including scholarship recipients.
• Assist with report writing and documentation of program outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Lead correspondence with schools, teachers, headmasters, students & parents for Phase 3 and scholarship recipients
• Draft a stakeholder communications schedule and send updates and follow up messages to stakeholders
• Support coordination of different events, trainings and activities throughout the program lifecycle 
• Help organize meetings and maintain clear communication channels with program participants.

Translation & Content Support

• Assist with translating program materials between Kinyarwanda and English as needed.
• Assist with capturing photos and videos of program activities in collaboration with the communications team.
• Conduct research on topics related to girls’ education and its impact on environmental, climate, and socio-economic outcomes.

Collaboration & Other Duties

• Work closely with other team members, interns, and community stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective program delivery.
• Contribute to a positive, empowering environment for girls and young women participating in the program

Education and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Humanities, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, Community Development, Social Work, or a related field.
• Additional training in gender equality, youth empowerment, or environmental education (an advantage).

Work Experience:

• Minimum 1–2 years of experience in project coordination, education outreach, or community engagement, ideally involving adolescent girls or youth development.
• Experience working with schools, youth organizations, or NGOs on gender, education, or conservation-related initiatives.
• Previous involvement in facilitating workshops, mentoring programs, or extracurricular learning activities.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strong ability to assist in the planning and delivery of educational programs, workshops, and trainings.
• Data collection, documentation, and basic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools.
• Competence in using MS Office Suite, and familiarity with tools like Canva, Google Workspace, or digital storytelling platforms is an asset.
• Understanding of gender equity, girls’ education challenges, and the importance of inclusive conservation.
• Awareness of conservation issues, especially in the context of community and youth engagement.
• Familiarity with national curriculum and education systems in Rwanda or the region (preferred).
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills, especially with adolescent girls and young people.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire youth and community stakeholders.
• High level of creativity, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
• Passionate about empowerment, mentorship, and gender-responsive programming.
• Willingness and ability to travel to schools and rural communities frequently.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Kinyarwanda or French is highly desirable.
• Committed to the values of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, including conservation, education, and social equity.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team as well as independently with minimal supervision.

Application Process:

All candidates interested in this opportunity are invited to submit the following documents:

• A cover letter setting out briefly the candidate’s motivation and suitability for the position, not more than 1 page,
• An Updated CV.
• The name, position, and contact number for three references, preferably one of them being your current Employer/Direct Supervisor.
• A copy of education and training certificates/diplomas/degrees
• A copy of relevant work certificates.
• A Copy of your national ID

How to Apply

Interested candidate should submit their application no later than  Friday, September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Please click on the “Apply” button to complete your application.

Only short-listed candidates shall be contacted.

Felix Ndagijimana

Director, Rwanda Programs

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.