Description

• Set standards, plan, and manage RDMS project activities to ensure the interventions provided meets the current and foreseeable future needs of project beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support in recruitment, manage and develop staff to ensure quality of implementation and results.
• Understand new and improving technologies and techniques (in the Dairy space) and implementing those that bring added opportunities and value to the project.
• Be accountable for the effective, efficient, and safe operation of the HIR’s aspects of the project and ensure timely and accurate monitoring, recording, and reporting.
• Ensure that the risk in project implementation is properly registered, and managed in coordination with the country director and other project team leads.
• Provide leadership to the RDMS project staff and work closely with them in staff development and performance management processes.
• Organize RDMS project team meetings and promote an excellent standard of project delivery and operational efficiency and excellence.
• Ensure all legal requirements including containment, health, safety, and the environment are managed. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to foster a cohesive and collaborative working environment.
• Implement effective project management methodologies to optimize project efficiency and outcomes.
• Identify facilitation activities with private sector actors.
• Develop strategies to introduce innovation and sustainable business models to increase agricultural market competitiveness, using a Market Systems approach.
• Negotiate deals with other businesses and enterprises as partners and facilitators to introduce innovative business models.
• Oversee the implementation of designed strategies.
• Monitor the progress and adjust strategies.

• Develop operational plans aligned to the project log frame that will guide Heifer Rwanda Dairy interventions implementation.
• Develop and implement project work plans (monthly, quarterly) that are aligned to the project log frame.
• Develop monthly and quarterly budgets aligned to the project work plan and manage and report on the spending as per the budgets.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, outlining tasks, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and manage project budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and adherence to financial guidelines.
• Track project expenditures against the budget, identifying and addressing any variances.
• Work closely with finance and accounting teams to ensure accurate and timely reporting of project financials.
• Review the Monthly and Quarterly Budget Monitoring reports for accuracy and consistency.
• On a quarterly basis, develop project procurement plans, in accordance with the procurement policy guidelines, and submit them to the procurement team.

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and Heifer’s internal policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, timely reporting on technical and financial progress reports, periodic Project reviews, and documentation of learnings and disseminate accordingly.
• Hold Project teams to the highest standards of accountability.
• Ensure that all Project staff meet their performance targets, including but not limited to, timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, work plans, etc.
• On a quarterly basis, ensure that the Project’s success stories and lessons learned are documented and disseminated.
• Collaborate with monitoring and evaluation department to develop and implement data collection and reporting systems.
• Provide documentation for audits and ensure that the project adheres to all reporting requirements for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date record of all project-related documentation.

• Manage contracts and other agreements with private sector partners, including regular budgeting and control of payments.
• Establish plans for multi-stakeholders’ engagement and learnings, including the creation of appropriate fora for key stakeholders and facilitate knowledge sharing.
• In collaboration with the Communications Manager/Specialist, develop strategies for capturing, processing, and sharing knowledge from the Project with Country leadership and other relevant Heifer teams for review and approval/action.
• Participate in quarterly, semi-annual, and annual planning meetings with stakeholders.
• Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community groups, and industry partners.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among project partners to enhance project outcomes.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations that align with project objectives.
• Represent the project at relevant forums, conferences, and events to enhance visibility and networking opportunities.
• Foster community engagement by promoting participatory approaches and involving local communities in project activities.

• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by supervisor(s).

• Master’s degree in; Agriculture, Rural Development, Agribusiness, Entrepreneurship, Dairy or relevant discipline (Proficiency level equivalent to) with project management skill as an added advantage.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience working in the Rwandan agricultural sector and implementing Dairy innovative and market systems development projects.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible work experience in managing and implementing multi-faceted, donor-funded development programmes.
• Relevant work experience, background and domain understanding of Dairy private sector/market led principles in agricultural value chains.
• Understanding of Rwanda agri-food sector or east Africa as a whole.
• Excellent social and networking skills, able to engage with the private sector, civil society and governments, at all levels.
• Visionary and able to strategically lead, inspire and energize the project teams.
• Experience in collaborative and adaptive monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Highly motivated and accountable self-starter, with strong organizational skills.
• Strong strategic decision-making and excellent communication skills (written and oral), as well as reporting and presentation skills.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel to all programme/project locations, including remote, rural areas.

• Experience managing large projects funded by major bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Good understanding of the different agricultural commodity value chains in general and dairy value chain.
• Experience working with youth and women smallholder farmers.
• Strong leadership, teamwork, mentoring and coaching skills.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven track record in generating innovative solutions in work situations, utilizing different and novel ways to deal with work problems, and leverage opportunities.
• Knowledge of income and expense budget preparation and monitoring.
• Experience in developing business plans, either with enterprises or own business.
• Experience in data analysis using Microsoft Excel or other data analysis tools.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Experience in farming, crops, and livestock.
• Experience using Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
• Willingness to travel as the role demands.
• Ability to work independently and with a flexible schedule.
• Ability to perform income and expense budget preparation and monitoring.
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and towards gender equality.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.