Job Description:

The Capacity Building Advisor will work in close coordination with the Out-of-School Children Lead and will be responsible for leading the capacity building activities with grantees, many of whom will be local women’s rights organisations (WROs) or organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). The Capacity Building Advisor will be a capacity building specialist with strong expertise in supporting the development of local organisations, ideally to be able to deliver programming designed to support OOS into education or other desired pathways. The individual will ideally have technical knowledge of catch-up learning, inclusive and gender responsive engagement methods, institutional capacity development, and applied experience engaging with local organisations.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee the capacity building strategy for grantees and ensure that technical inputs are in line with needs and programme objectives

• Delivering capacity strengthening activities through appropriate mechanisms and based on a broader strategic plan

• Working with grantees to identify mechanisms for institutionalising approaches and going to scale

• Build district-level government capacity in coordinating with local organisations and in delivering OOS initiatives

• Strategic inputs into broader system-strengthening work and advocacy designed to increase commitment to OOS engagement

• Working with the MEL, Communications, and other staff to ensure learning feeds into programme implementation and adaptation, communication, and advocacy efforts

• Actively work towards improved gender equality and social inclusion within stated area of responsibility and promoting a wider culture of safeguarding and inclusion.

Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder and line manager.

Candidate Specification:

• Experience implementing capacity building programmes in Rwanda

• Technical understanding of catch-up learning, gender responsive approaches and inclusive education

• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with government, NGOs and stakeholders

• Strategic thinking and critical analysis skills, with proven potential to take on leadership roles in the future

• Experience in working with OOS/local NGOs or working with the government

• Good communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda

• Willingness to be proactive, responsive and flexible to changing requirements of the project

• Willingness to be flexible and contribute to the company in other duties as required.

Background:

Cambridge Education has been awarded the FCDO funded Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL) programme, a 6-year programme (Nov 2024 - Jun 2030). GIRL is the FCDO’s new bilateral education programme in Rwanda, building on components of the previous Learning for All (LFA) programme (2015-2023). The LFA programme worked to improve learning outcomes in English and Mathematics in all government and government-aided schools in Rwanda, with a special focus on girls and including children with special educational needs. GIRL has been designed to build upon this work by continuing to focus on foundational learning outcomes in English and Mathematics, with an even stronger focus on girls’ education and inclusive education. It will work to reduce school drop-out and improve transition to lower secondary or other learning pathways, particularly for girls and children with disabilities. The programme is made up of 3 main components:

• Component 1 will focus on improving learning outcomes in English and Math and providing technical assistance to the Government of Rwanda to strengthen capacity and the policy environment for improved foundational learning.

• Component 3 will focus on managing an innovation fund for out-of-school girls using a test-learn-adapt approach.

• Component 5 will focus on technical assistance and advocacy to the government around foundational learning and out-of-school girls, to ensure approaches are scaled and evidence from the programme feeds into policy and programming in the sector.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.