Introduction

Since its establishment in 1997, Willows International (WI) has developed and perfected a client management system, the Willows International Services Enhancement (WISE), designed to enhance the performance of community level health care providers. This system ensures that women receive customized, timely information, services, and referrals for health care Willows International has specifically focused on applying its client management system for the betterment of women’s reproductive choices and services.

In Rwanda, beginning May 2021, WI has partnered with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) / Ministry of Health (MoH) to launch a project to support the optimization of the government community health workers’ program for enhanced family planning and sexual reproductive health outcomes. Willows support to RBC/MoH aims at strengthening existing systems for client management and follow-up and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of CHWs in two selected districts of Rusizi in the western province and Ngoma in the eastern province. WI support has led to the improvement of key Reproductive Health (RH) indicators in both the districts of Ngoma and Rusizi including the m-CPR substantial increase, rising from 57% (December 2024) to 72% (December 2025) representing a 15 percentage-point increase, or a 26% relative increase over the 2024 baseline. Additionally, 63% of new contraceptive users adopted long-acting and permanent methods (LAPMs).

These achievements demonstrate significant impact of WISE interventions and certainly constitute a solid case for national wide implementation of WISE to improve RH outcomes of the Rwandan communities. It is in this regard that Willows International is extending its support of the implementation of WISE in Rwamagana District to primarily enhance the work CHWs in improving the community members’ RH outcomes. The following objectives will guide the project implementation in Rwamagana District.

Project Objectives

The implementation of the WISE system in Rwamagana District will be guided by the following objectives:

Objective 1: Strengthen the capacity and performance of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to effectively and efficiently deliver Family Planning (FP) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.

Objective 2: Improve Family Planning and Reproductive Health (FP/RH) outcomes among WISE-supported Assistant Nurses (ANs) and Polyvalent CHWs within their catchment areas by 2027.

Objective 3: Support the integration of the WISE system into existing Ministry of Health (MoH) digital health platforms.

Objective 4: Improve the performance of underperforming CHWs in Rwamagana District, enabling them to achieve Good or Average performance ratings by December 2027.

Objective 5: Strengthen supportive supervision and monitoring systems to provide CHWs with continuous mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback, ensuring sustained service quality and improved health outcomes.

To support these efforts, Willows International (WI) seeks to recruit a District Assistant Project Officer based in Rwamagana District.

Position Summary

The Assistant Project Officer will provide technical and managerial support to ensure achievement of project deliverables. The role requires hands-on supportive supervision, monitoring, and mentorship of district team, and continuous collaboration and coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager, the Finance and Administration Manager. This is a field-intensive role and the staff is expected to spend over 90% of his/her time providing direct technical and managerial support through supervision, monitoring and capacity building of community Health workers.

Candidates with in Rwamagana are encouraged to apply as relocation costs are not available.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• To Collaborate with the community health supervisors at the district hospital and health centers to provide supportive supervision and mentorship to CHWs to ensure proper use of recommended guidelines and tools.
• Develop and monitor implementation of work plan/action plans and submit in a timely manner, monthly, quarterly and annual program and financial reports.
• Liaise with CHW supervisors to ensure quality FP/SRH services are provided at the community level and in the referral facilities.
• To Monitor CHW activities including home visits, health education sessions and referrals.
• Ensure CHWs follow the WISE standard operating procedures and data collection guidelines.
• Training and Capacity Building of CHWs and WISE mentors
• To Organize regular joint supportive supervision visits with district level officials and CHW supervisors to provide timely support and feedback to CHWs.
• To Organize monthly and quarterly program review meetings with CHW supervisors to review progress of and provide feedback to CHWs.
• To Assist with organization of training, meetings, field visits, and other events in the assigned district.
• To Ensure strong professional working relationship with partners and stakeholders especially at the district level. Support GoR and district officials in organizing and facilitating trainings, supportive supervision visits, and project review meetings.
• To Assist the Finance and Administration Manager in the disbursement of funds and accounting for funds used in field level activities at the district level.
• Assist with other programmatic and administrative duties as required.

Position Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Community Health, Environmental Health, Nursing, or related field

Professional experience

• At least 5 years of experience in Primary Health Care delivery and public health programs at community level;
• Proven technical knowledge and experience in FP/SRHR and project management skills and interventions at community level.
• Strong understanding of community mobilization and engagement strategies in Rwanda;
• Experience in capacity building skills, including training and mentorship skills for community health workers.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, including government, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving skills and strategic mindset.
• A high level of initiative, coordination, creativity, teamwork, and client rights orientation.
• Initiative-taking and sense of responsibility.
• Demonstrate high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
• Proficiency in office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English is strongly required. Knowledge of French will be an asset.

• To Collaborate with the community health supervisors at the district hospital and health centers to provide supportive supervision and mentorship to CHWs to ensure proper use of recommended guidelines and tools.
• Develop and monitor implementation of work plan/action plans and submit in a timely manner, monthly, quarterly and annual program and financial reports.
• Liaise with CHW supervisors to ensure quality FP/SRH services are provided at the community level and in the referral facilities.
• To Monitor CHW activities including home visits, health education sessions and referrals.
• Ensure CHWs follow the WISE standard operating procedures and data collection guidelines.
• Training and Capacity Building of CHWs and WISE mentors
• To Organize regular joint supportive supervision visits with district level officials and CHW supervisors to provide timely support and feedback to CHWs.
• To Organize monthly and quarterly program review meetings with CHW supervisors to review progress of and provide feedback to CHWs.
• To Assist with organization of training, meetings, field visits, and other events in the assigned district.
• To Ensure strong professional working relationship with partners and stakeholders especially at the district level. Support GoR and district officials in organizing and facilitating trainings, supportive supervision visits, and project review meetings.
• To Assist the Finance and Administration Manager in the disbursement of funds and accounting for funds used in field level activities at the district level.
• Assist with other programmatic and administrative duties as required.

• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, including government, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving skills and strategic mindset.
• A high level of initiative, coordination, creativity, teamwork, and client rights orientation.
• Initiative-taking and sense of responsibility.
• Demonstrate high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
• Proficiency in office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English is strongly required. Knowledge of French will be an asset.

• Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Community Health, Environmental Health, Nursing, or related field