Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Kigali is recruiting an Education Programme Manager to work within the Human Development and Resilience Team (HDRT). The post-holder will work with the Education Adviser and the Team Leader to ensure strong delivery of the education portfolio, including fulfilling the role as Programme Responsible Owner (PRO) for the new bilateral education programme, Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL). GIRL is a flexible and catalytic programme that will test then scale cost-effective and innovative interventions to support marginalised girls to return to school, stay in school and learn.

As PRO, the post-holder is accountable to the programme’s Senior Responsible Owner for driving, on a day-to-day basis, the delivery of programme outcomes within agreed time, cost and quality constraints. This includes ensuring compliance with the Programme Operating Framework (ProF) Rules, and in supporting with the objective assessment of programme performance and the design and adaptation of the programme given learning or changing contexts. The post-holder will be responsible for programme management tasks, including leading on the management of programme risks and financial management. The post-holder will also be required to contribute to technical work, including supporting the Education Adviser with education sector engagement.

The post-holder will contribute to BHC cross-office work by promoting visibility of the UK’s contribution to Rwanda’s education sector, and taking forward objectives on gender equality, disability and inclusion.

Roles and responsibilities:

[approx. 90%] Excellent programme management and leadership as Programme Responsible Owner of the GIRL Programme:

• Overall Programme Delivery: Provide leadership within the programme team, including providing overall direction throughout the programme cycle. Responsible for driving, on a day to day basis, the delivery of programme outputs and achievements of outcomes, whilst ensuring compliance with PrOF rules. Support in the design and adaption of the programme based on learning and changing contexts, and take stock at regular intervals on the continued relevance of the programme, taking action to improve, restructure or close where appropriate.
• Risk Management: Lead on development and implementation of programme risk strategies, including focusing on mitigating the risk of fraud, corruption and sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH).  Maintain the programme’s risk register, proactively highlighting and escalating concerns, risks and issues to appropriate level. Regularly update the existing delivery chain map showing key issues and risks at each stage of the funds’ movement. Lead Due Diligence Assessments and follow up on related issues or actions as required.
• Financial Management:  Lead on the effective and efficient financial management of the GIRL programme, including accurate forecasting, budget profiling, and effective controls over expenditure. Lead on asset management and disposal.  Proactively manage financial forecasts, working closely with implementing partners and the SRO to create realistic and up to date spending forecasts over the Financial Year, and accurate budget profiling for outer years, and ensuring these are regularly updated on the HERA system. Provide accurate financial information to the team and business unit as required. Review partner/supplier financial reports, checking for variances and value for money issues. Manage audit requirements, ensuring reports and/or Annual Audited Statements are received, reviewed and findings pro-actively followed up. Ensure all requisitions, purchase orders and receipting/payment of invoices meet FCDO ’s financial rules and are linked to agreed project milestones and/or partner reporting obligations.
• Partner & Supplier Management (stakeholder management): Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners and suppliers, being the recognised first point of contact. Ensure programme governance structures are operational and effective, including monthly and quarterly meetings with delivery partners and programme steering committee. Review partner/supplier reporting, identifying areas of concern to project team and recommending remedial actions where required. Represent FCDO in programme discussions within agreed scope of authority.
• Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Contribute to/lead Annual Reviews/Project Completion Review exercises, including drafting all or portions of final reports, as agreed within project team. Ensure programme reviews are based on evidence and give an objective account of programme performance, and that recommendations from reviews are followed up and implemented.  Organise field visits on a quarterly basis and ensure findings feed back into the programme’s Delivery Plan. Organise spot checks on programme assets as required.   

• Programme Mobilisation and Procurement: Actively support the SRO in the procurement and mobilisation of all delivery partners for the GIRL programme, including drafting of the terms of reference for partners, supporting with procurement processes and in the evaluation of bids. Take actions to support the contracting of partners and the mobilisation of programme systems and structures, including the development of annual key performance indicators.
• Technical Inputs: Support the Education Adviser on technical activities, including in engaging with education sector events. The FCDO chairs the Education Sector Working Group in Rwanda, and acts as coordinating agent for the Global Partnership for Education, and the post-holder will be excepted to support with these roles. This may include supporting with policy influencing work and representing the UK at technical events.
• Other Education Portfolio Tasks:

• Line Management: May have line management responsibility for the education programme officer.
• [Approx. 10%]: Contributing to corporate objectives across the office as needed.
• Lead on agreed HDRT actions on safeguarding, gender equality, disability and social inclusion in education.

• Engage with centrally managed programmes, ensuring alignment and coordination

 Resources managed:

The total value of GIRL programme is up to £60m and it will have 5 components (teachers, girls in school, girls out of school, children with disabilities and TA)

• Programme management experience (FCDO programmes or similar)
• Excellent team-worker
• Good attention to detail
• Competent Microsoft Office user (primarily Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Strong verbal and written English
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum 3 years (Master’s degree) or 5 years (Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in delivering FCDO programmes or other development programmes