Background

The Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR) is a Christian higher education institution owned by five Rwandan Protestant Churches. In 2015, PUR established the Centre for Research and Action towards Sustainable Peace and Development (CRASPD) to promote sustainable peace, social cohesion and community development through research, training and outreach programmes. CRASPD structurally belongs to the Faculty of Development Studies (FDS) of PUR and closely works with its Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (DPCS).

Since 2016, PUR has partnered with the GIZ Civil Peace Service (CPS), a programme of German Development Cooperation that supports local capacities for peacebuilding, social cohesion, youth resilience and nonviolent conflict transformation across the Great Lakes Region, particularly in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

With assist from GIZ-CPS, CRASPD has strengthened regional cooperation among youth from Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC. In October 2024, these efforts led to the establishment of the Youth Empowerment for Nonviolent Action (YENA) network. Through youth camps, study tours and collaborative learning initiatives, the YENA programme empowers young people affected by conflict and social divisions to build trust across national and ethnic boundaries, engage in dialogue and contribute to peaceful and inclusive societies by initiative collective action for peace.

PUR is seeking a qualified and Peace Training Officer to assist the implementation of YENA programme and other peacebuilding initiatives coordinated by CRASPD in close collaboration with DPCS.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Coordinator of CRASPD, the Peace Training Officer will:

• organize and facilitate trainings, workshops, youth camps, study tours and related activities under the YENA programme and other nonviolent conflict transformation initiatives.
• Strengthen networks and partnerships among youth groups, community organisations, universities, and peacebuilding stakeholders in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC.
• Facilitate and assist initiatives related to the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Positive Masculinity and Countering Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training curricula, educational materials, and learning resources for CRASPD programmes and the programmes of the Faculty of Development Studies (FDS), especially, the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at PUR.
• deliver mentoring, coaching, and capacity-building assist to students, youth leaders, and members of the PUR Peace Club.
• assist project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including activity documentation, data collection and reporting in compliance with GIZ requirements.
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and reporting among CRASPD, PUR, GIZ-CPS and partner organisations.
• Actively engage in and contribute to CPS regional learning, networking and knowledge-sharing processes, including participation in the “Amahoro Mazima” reflection group, to foster mutual learning and collaboration.
• Contribute to project development and resource mobilization through the preparation of concept notes, proposals, budgets, work plans and narrative reports.
• assist CRASPD’s communication and visibility efforts through website management, social media engagement, content creation and public outreach.
• Participate actively in CRASPD team meetings, institutional activities and relevant PUR events, and perform other duties as assigned in assist of CRASPD's mission and objectives.

Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong organisational, coordination and intercultural communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural environments.
• Strong facilitation, networking and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to peacebuilding, nonviolence and social inclusion.
• Ability to oversee multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies or a closely related field.

Professional Experience

• At least three years of professional and/or volunteer experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and youth empowermenT.
• Good understanding of conflict dynamics and peacebuilding processes in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region.
• Experience facilitating workshops and trainings, preferably in AVP, NVC, Positive Masculinity or other nonviolent conflict transformation approaches.
• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation and report writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and online collaboration platforms.
• Skills in photography, video production, graphic design or digital communication are an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English and French.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda is an added advantage.

• organize and facilitate trainings, workshops, youth camps, study tours and related activities under the YENA programme and other nonviolent conflict transformation initiatives.
• Strengthen networks and partnerships among youth groups, community organisations, universities, and peacebuilding stakeholders in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC.
• Facilitate and assist initiatives related to the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Positive Masculinity and Countering Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training curricula, educational materials, and learning resources for CRASPD programmes and the programmes of the Faculty of Development Studies (FDS), especially, the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at PUR.
• deliver mentoring, coaching, and capacity-building assist to students, youth leaders, and members of the PUR Peace Club.
• assist project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including activity documentation, data collection and reporting in compliance with GIZ requirements.
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and reporting among CRASPD, PUR, GIZ-CPS and partner organisations.
• Actively engage in and contribute to CPS regional learning, networking and knowledge-sharing processes, including participation in the “Amahoro Mazima” reflection group, to foster mutual learning and collaboration.
• Contribute to project development and resource mobilization through the preparation of concept notes, proposals, budgets, work plans and narrative reports.
• assist CRASPD’s communication and visibility efforts through website management, social media engagement, content creation and public outreach.
• Participate actively in CRASPD team meetings, institutional activities and relevant PUR events, and perform other duties as assigned in assist of CRASPD's mission and objectives.

• Strong organisational, coordination and intercultural communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural environments.
• Strong facilitation, networking and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to peacebuilding, nonviolence and social inclusion.
• Ability to oversee multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and online collaboration platforms.
• Skills in photography, video production, graphic design or digital communication are an asset.

• Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies or a closely related field.
• At least three years of professional and/or volunteer experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and youth empowermenT.
• Good understanding of conflict dynamics and peacebuilding processes in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region.
• Experience facilitating workshops and trainings, preferably in AVP, NVC, Positive Masculinity or other nonviolent conflict transformation approaches.
• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation and report writing.
• Fluency in English and French.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda is an added advantage.