Job Announcement

Position: Project Officer for Community Empowerment

Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance (CARSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting reconciliation, community development, and empowerment in Rwanda. Founded in 2002, CARSA has made significant contributions to the restoration and development of the nation, especially in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.

CARSA’s work stems from two key pillars of reconciliation and social assistance, with our programs focusing on peace-building and trauma healing, alongside economic development.

CARSA works with genocide survivors and their direct offenders, accompanying them on their journey of healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and holistic development. CARSA also seek to develop and empower young people, working with youths through schools as well as in communities.

We engage in community transformation through community small groups we refer to as Resilience Cell Groups (RCGs). RCGs are groups of generally 12 to 26 people who have participated in our trauma healing program, called Empower. The groups are self-led by an elected committee, with the aim to foster and support their continued journey of healing both together and as individuals, as well as seeking to improve their livelihood and build sustainability. CARSA staff visit and follow up the groups to assist and support in areas of navigating group conflict, clarification of group discussion topics and to provide further training and input as needed.

At Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance (CARSA), we are searching for a highly qualified Project Officer to oversee the RCGs, working alongside members of RCGs from their formation, inspiring, supporting, and offering them facilitation to initiate self-led social change and making improvements to their own communities. The ideal candidate would apply a participatory approach to engage communities in their own transformation.

Responsibilities

• Participate and facilitate RCG formation and support in setting up leadership.
• Collaborate with RCGs in planning, attend and coordinate major cell group meetings and events.
• Engage RCG communities in making sense of the issues that affect their lives, setting goals for improvement and responding to problems and needs through empowerment and active participation.
• Assess and monitor the health of RCGs.
• Help RCG members plan what they want to achieve and take appropriate action, identifying community skills, assets, opportunity, responsibilities, issues, and needs.
• Develop strategies to generate aspiration and confidence.
• Develop new resources/ projects in dialogue with the community and evaluating existing programs.
• Building links with other groups and organizations working in the same communities.
• Mediating in matters of conflict within and between RCGs.
• Collect and document reconciliation stories and other related success stories.
• Encouraging active participation of all RCG members in all activities initiated and organized.
• Acting as facilitator to promote self-help in the community.
• Maintain accurate records of interviews, safeguarding the confidentiality of subjects, as necessary.
• Organize field visits to assist RCGs.
• Provide quality, timely and accurate recommendation, information, and reports as required.
• Report to CARSA leadership RCGs risks and outcomes.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor in Community development studies, Rural development, project management, social sciences, or any related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in project implementation, working with small groups, and conflict management.
• Strong understanding of rural area context and working with local communities
• Demonstrated experience in project reporting.
• Strong written and verbal skills (Kinyarwanda and English).
• Motorbike Driving License (Category A)is an added value.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and requirements.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of project management tools and software is an added advantage.
• Passionate about CARSA's mission and values.

Qualified and Interested Candidates should send their applications which contain a resume with the email address, contact, qualifications, a cover letter, and academic certificate via the apply button below. not later than 25th October 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for assessment.