Title: Senior Programs Manager
Category: Project Management and resource mobilization
Type: Fixed term, full time
International role: No- only national residents/ applicants from EAC countries residing in
Rwanda, will be considered
Application deadline: October 16th 2017
Starting Date: November, 2017
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Program Officers
Location: Kigali Rwanda
Background
The Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR) is the umbrella body for microfinance institutions in Rwanda that seeks to build a flourishing microfinance sector in the country through different areas of interventions such as Advocacy and Information Sharing, Research and Development, Responsible Finance that includes Consumer Protection and Education; Performance Monitoring and Capacity Building.
Created in 2007 with 32 founding members and currently its membership has reached 343 licensed micro finance banks, limited savings and deposit taking companies and credit and savings cooperatives. Its membership represents more than 97% of the microfinance sector in Rwanda.
The mission of AMIR is to offer diversified services to microfinance institutions to enable them to work professionally and contribute to poverty reduction in a sustainable manner based on 5 core values (Professionalism, Transparency, Unity, Integrity and Sustainability). Our vision is to become a strong and efficient organization that contributes to the development of the microfinance industry through the promotion of transparent management systems in MFIs, innovative and market led financial services and products.
AMIR intends to fill in a position of Senior Programs Manager. The incumbent will coordinate AMIR programmatic activities, and be the focal person for funds mobilization.
Position purpose
The Senior Programs Manager (S-PM) oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of ongoing programs including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling program activities ensures that all programmatic activities are implemented effectively as planned in AMIR operating and strategic plans. S/he is also responsible for resources mobilization needed for program implementation.
Specific responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Senior Programs Manager shall be responsible for:
Resources and funds Mobilization (40%)
- Develop a fundraising strategy
- Familiarize himself/herself with AMIR’s priority deliverables as set out in the Strategic Plan 2018-2020, annual work plans, Responsible Finance through Local Leadership and Learning (RFL3) plan, and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), as well as core policy documents for each of the results areas.
- Work closely with colleagues to identify funding needs and anticipated gaps from 2018 to 2020
- Work with AMIR Consult and RICEM to identify key funding gaps both in relation to programs expenses and overhead costs
- On the basis of above, develop a 5-year funding needs assessment for AMIR’s Strategic Plan implementation.
- From discussions with key stakeholders, identify potential funders for AMIR’s contribution to Responsible Financial Inclusion in Rwanda. Attention should be given to bilateral donors, philanthropic organizations, and foundations.
- Having identified both the funding needs and potential funding sources of funding, work with AMIR Consult and RICEM to match funding sources against priority areas.
- On the basis of the analysis from above, develop a fundraising strategy with priority fundraising targets, and responsibilities over the next 5 years.
- Identify/define potential funding scenarios from which the program can be redirected.
- Develop fundraising proposals and strategies for stronger donor partnerships
- Identify key funding priorities and funding sources and, building on previous funding proposals, develop high quality proposals in consultation with the management team
- Work closely with AMIR Consult and RICEM to set up meetings with key funding partners
- Work closely with AMIR Consult and RICEM on opportunities for integrated proposals
- Act as focal point for existing and potential partnersand ensure that good quality proposals are submitted for funding and that follow up with funding partners is made.
- Develop a mechanism for tracking funding needs and proposal development which can be sustained within AMIR
Programs Planning and implementation (20%)
- Plan the delivery of the overall programs and their activities in accordance with the mission and the goals of the association
- Develop new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization;
- Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program;
- Assist Executive Director to develop an annual budget and operating plan to support the program ;
- Develop programs evaluation framework to assess the strengths of the programs and to identify areas for improvement ;
- Ensure that program activities operate within the policies and procedures of the organization with a strong reference of the Government policies and consideration of AMIR’s mission of as the umbrella body of MFIs;
- Ensure that program activities comply with all relevant legislation and professional standards;
- Develop forms and records to document program activities;
- Coordinate and oversee the implementation of AMIR programs including capacity building of its members and staff of AMIR, advocacy and representation, research and information sharing, product development and responsible finance among others which contributes to a conducive microfinance environment in Rwanda.
- Ensure that all reporting deadlines are met;
- Ensure that reporting to key stakeholders is completed as per agreement and requirement;
- Provide reports and information as needed for donors, auditors, etc;
- Meet regularly with the program team and management committee to review status and issues.
Staffing and leading the programs (20%)
- In consultation with the Executive Director, will assist to recruit, interview and select well-qualified program staff ;
- Establish and implement a performance management process for all program staff and supervise program staff by providing direction, input and feedback;
- Engage volunteers for appropriate program activities using established volunteer management practice;
- Manage the whole program team to ensure that they achieve the results. This involves the supervision of the work being done by the program team, consultants and program personnel like Technical Advisors;
- Deputize the Executive Director and be a replacement on interim basis in case of latter’s absence;
- Be a member of management committee;
- Ensure all program staff members receive orientation and appropriate training in accordance with organizational standards.
- Initiate and manage all partnerships that can assist AMIR to achieve its vision, mission and objectives. This includes being the contact person with external partners and coordinating PR aspect of the association in consultation with ED and Communications and Membership Affairs Senior Officer.
- Work with ED and FAM to ensure that the program department is correctly staffed according to the activity plans and in line with the established HR hiring policies and procedures;
- Ensure that suitable facilities and equipment is available to the AMIR staff and support teams
- To model service and team spirit leadership in the work environment;
- To work closely with program staff to ensure their personal development and to establish a performance based approach to work
- Responsible to achieve or exceed the Business Plan within the assigned budget;
- Work with the Management Team to solve problems, especially those that would put the strategic plan achievement at risk, addresses training and capacity issues, finds improvements and efficiencies for the benefit of the organization and its members;
- Lead initiatives to further expand AMIR’s impact on the microfinance sector through organizational development and improvement
Control of programs (20%)
- Write reports on the program for management and for funders;
- Communicate with funders as outlined in funding agreements;
- Ensure that the program operate within the approved budget;
- Monitor and approve all budgeted programs expenditures;
- Representation of AMIR’s interest where necessary in the absence of ED ;
- Identify and evaluate the risks associated with programs activities and take appropriate action to control the risks;
- Monitor the program activities on a regular basis and conduct an annual evaluation according to the program evaluation framework;
- Report evaluation findings to the Executive Director and recommend changes to enhance the programs, as appropriate.
Competencies required
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in relevant field including Project Management, Microfinance, Advanced Cost Management, Total Quality Management, Business Systems Analysis, Contracts and Procurement, international development, Rural Development, Development Studies, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Accounting, Marketing.
- More than 10 years’ proven experience (for Bachelor’s degree) and 5 years (for Master’s degree) in international development and projects/programs planning and management
- Proven successful track record in fundraising for non-governmental organizations
- Proven experience in working with bilateral organizations, UN agencies and development aid organizations;
- Experience in managing and/ or working with USAID funded projects is an added value;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent inter-personal working skills
Application
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and CV (maximum three pages) and three professional referees to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] by October 16th, 2017 at 4 pm Kigali time. Only Applications matching the above requirements will be considered.
Peter RWEMA
Executive Director
