MCC Representative for Rwanda and Burundi

Job Synopsis

The MCC Rwanda/Burundi Representative(s) are responsible for providing overall leadership to a complex and multi-faceted MCC program. This includes responsibility for administrative operations, team building, strategic directions, and support of MCC’s partners and projects in the two countries. The Reps supervise and support a team of eleven program and administrative staff in two offices (Kigali and Bujumbura) including National Staff, expatriate International Staff, and one-year young adult participants in Global Service Learning (GSLers). In Rwanda and Burundi, the Reps oversee work with 10 partner organizations implementing 11 projects in each sector in which MCC works: food security, sustainable livelihoods, education, peacebuilding, and health. MCC staff support partners in the planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes; in organizational capacity building; and with technical expertise. The Reps organize and lead an annual team gathering and an annual partner gathering. They also maintain strong relationships with the Friends Church in both countries. In Rwanda and Burundi, MCC has developed long-term relationships with faith-based partners, most of whom operate with a peace lens and many with connections to the Friends Church. There are two large-complex food-security projects (one in each country) funded by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), which have significant expectations for reporting and for data collection and analysis. MCC’s support of peacebuilding has been longstanding in the two countries and currently includes the Great Lakes Peacebuilding Institute and youth peace clubs. MCC Rwanda/Burundi is also playing a significant role in the development and implementation of the MCC Africa strategic peacebuilding goals. The education projects include a vocational education project in each country as well as a K-12 school in a marginalized, rural community in Burundi. The Reps represent MCC to government authorities, other international NGOs, churches, and partners and in Rwanda and in Burundi. The Reps participate in annual Southern Central Africa and Nigeria (SCAN) Regional Meetings of MCC leadership and are supervised by the Area Directors for Southern Central Africa and Nigeria based in Kigali.
Job Details

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE
Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required for all MCC Representative Positions:
Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent
Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred
Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).
Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization. Ability to create an environment on the team that is supportive of staff who may experience oppression or sexual violence.
Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department).
Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording.
Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making.
Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources.
Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others.
Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others.
Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged.
Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness: Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting.
Financial Management: Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.
Program, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.
Previous experience in making well-informed, effective and timely decisions, taking into consideration impact and implications within local and regional context.
Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Representative without bias or conflict of interest, with ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.

For this specific assignment:
Minimum Education Level: Bachelors or Masters degree in international development, business administration or another related field, preferred
Minimum Experience: 3 years of international MCC experience preferred, previous MCC Africa experience preferred
English language proficiency required; language training in Kinyarwanda provided

Key Responsibilities

1. MCC Vision and Mission - Be the carrier/communicator of institutional identity in relationship to: Local partners, church, government, other international NGOs ii. MCC workers: Nurture understanding of and respect for MCC values and witness; reflect upon and communicate the spirituality of the team

2. Oversight of Country Program - Direct and oversee implementation of regional priorities and country-specific strategies
   a.Select, build, maintain and strengthen relationships with partners
   b. Prepare and administer long-term country strategies
   c. Plan, monitor, report and evaluate projects
   d. Facilitate, coordinate and respond to disasters, including those that generate unexpected additional resources and require shifts in focus of time/energy and requiring development of immediate and/or short term plans
   e. Understand and ensure compliance with local laws vi. Coordinate and strengthen local advisory committees

3. Management of MCC Resources
   a. Prepare, monitor and evaluate annual goals and objectives in the context of a multi-year strategic plan
   b. Prepare and monitor budgets in accordance with strategic and annual plans and in alignment with Financial Management Policies
   c. Develop and monitor financial record-keeping and reporting, taking corrective action where needed
   d. Develop and maintain lists of inventories of equipment, including computers, vehicles, etc. along with replacement plans e. Maintain and update registration documents in respective countries
   f. Ensure resource stewardship across the country
   g. Prepare and monitor project reporting
   h. Receive and respond to worker reports
   i. Ensure maintenance of personnel records and other documents for MCC Records and Archives
   j. Manage Material Resources distribution as needed
   k. Provide information about the country situation.... through PlanWin, Annual Plans and Reports, Learning Tours, and written communication.

4. Select, supervise, and motivate MCC workers: International Service Workers, International Staff and National staff
   a. Negotiate suitable assignments and write assignment descriptions
   b. Select highly qualified international staff and national staff using predetermined criteria based on job content and organizational values
   c. Provide orientation for new workers, including language study
   d. Create an environment where all individuals are comfortable openly addressing concerns/opinions
   e. Ensure spiritual, emotional and professional support for workers
   f. Monitor relationships between workers and partners with whom they work
   g. Implement MCC Human Resource policies and assist in policy interpretation for workers
   h. Conduct timely performance appraisals and End-of-Term reports for service workers and international staff
   i. Ensure workers’ compliance with MCC values and witness
   j. Develop and/or monitor compensation, benefits and policies for national staff

5. Teambuilding: build and maintain MCC personnel team
   a. Clarify team expectations regularly
   b. Monitor team relationships
   c. Lead team in decision making
   d. Demonstrates skill in resolving difficult situations, drawing on a variety of resources

6. Hospitality: arrange for hospitality as needed
   a. MCC program and support staff, as well as MCC constituents from North America
   b. Others who are travelling in the country and who are interested in the work of MCC

7. Represent the Country to MCC and Constituents
   a. Cultivate and maintain awareness of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts of the country/region
   b. Provide information about the situation, needs and resources of the country/region to the Associate /Area Directors and others within MCC and to MCC constituency

8. Relate to the local church
   a. Maintain good relationships with local Anabaptist churches by: minimally visiting churches and church leaders, attending their annual meetings, and including their representatives on advisory committees
   b. Regular attend a local congregation
   Challenges

Work requires healthy boundaries;Occasional evening and weekend work;Local church not supportive to LGBTQ+ persons;Local area not supportive to LGBTQ+ persons
Start Date

14 Jul, 2025
Term Length

5 years
Salary Details

. Compensation for international roles is calculated based on prior experience and anticipated living expenses of the household in the location of service.
Benefits

In addition to a monthly compensation amount based on the sum of relevant allowances, MCC Rep would receive the following benefits;

Travel expenses to and from assignment,
Housing,
Transportation related to work,
Education for children benefit,
Retirement Plan,
Life Insurance and Death Benefits,
Student Loan reimbursement benefit,
and End-of-term benefits
Location Description

The MCC Representative(s) are based in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. Kigali is a pleasant place to live, with mild weather, manageable traffic, low crime rates, a wide range of products available, and plenty of restaurants and shops.

Kigali has a “small town” flavor but is also home to a cosmopolitan community of Africans and non-Africans from around the world. In many ways, it is clean and progressive, with a fast pace of economic development and many consumer goods and services available.

Both English and French are spoken in Rwanda, although most Rwandans speak only Kinyarwanda. About 10 years ago, English was made the second official language (along with Kinyarwanda and instead of French), and most Rwandese organizations and schools are still working to improve their English.

Good educational, health, and dental facilities are available, but health care options are limited when compared to North America or Europe.

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required for all MCC Representative Positions:
Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent
Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred
Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).
Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization. Ability to create an environment on the team that is supportive of staff who may experience oppression or sexual violence.
Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department).
Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording.
Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making.
Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources.
Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others.
Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others.
Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged.
Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness: Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting.
Financial Management: Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.
Program, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.
Previous experience in making well-informed, effective and timely decisions, taking into consideration impact and implications within local and regional context.
Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Representative without bias or conflict of interest, with ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.

For this specific assignment:
Minimum Education Level: Bachelors or Masters degree in international development, business administration or another related field, preferred
Minimum Experience: 3 years of international MCC experience preferred, previous MCC Africa experience preferred
English language proficiency required; language training in Kinyarwanda provided

MCC is a global, nonprofit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peacebuilding.

Thanks to partners like you, we have been empowering communities to meet local needs and build peace for over 100 years.

Together, we are transforming lives.