Terms of Reference for the recruitment of a PROJECT ASSISTANT for the East African Tourism Platform  (EATP)

JOB TITLE:  EATP Project Assistant

REPORTS TO: EATP TECHNICAL ASSISTANT/ COORDINATOR

LOCATION:  KIGALI, RWANDA                                                    

I.     Background and Context

The East Africa Tourism Platform is the apex private sector body for Tourism in East Africa. The East Africa Tourism Platform (EATP) ensures active and focused engagement of the Private sector in the EAC tourism development process, this also coming on the background that the private sector drives tourism largely in each of the EAC Economies. The Platform under the leadership of key tourism leaders in the region motivates and defines private sector participation in the emerging EAC policies and behaviour. It makes the voice of the private sector heard and relevant in the regional integration process, pursuing a common agenda as a sector.

EATP’s Mission is to promote intra and inter-regional tourism through advocacy, marketing, skills development, research and information sharing.

II.  Position Summary

The East Africa Tourism Platform Project Assistant will work under the supervision of the  East Africa Tourism Platform Coordinator and will undertake tasks related to promoting and strengthening the EATP programs.

The EATP Project Assistant will support the EATP Coordinator to ensure regional tourism vision and strategy into results, ensuring project design and implementation are geared towards achieving scale and impact, attracting funding to diversify funding resources and that the project implementation processes respond to EATP growth need to strengthen partnerships that lead to business development, improving marketing and increasing sales from the tourism and hospitality industry among Member countries.

Core Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of EATP Strategic Activities, ensuring that they are aligned to the Strategic Workplan.
• Monitor and coordinate a portfolio of partners, including reviewing financial and narrative reporting from partners; driving, challenging and holding partners accountable for project deliverables and deadlines.
• Engage with partners/grantees to review opportunities; challenges and advances interventions through collaboration, learning, exchange and strategic partnerships.

• Provide perspective and expertise on emerging issues and trends aligned to Business Development, Strategic Marketing, financing and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on Strategic Markets.
• Serve as a point of contact and collaborator, supporting the EATP coordinator, across a range of partners; including donors, government officials, and private sector leaders on issues of common concern to leverage positive impact toward common goals.
• Together with the team and other partners, work towards maximizing the potential of grant opportunities and bilateral aid available at the national level to broker aligned, harmonized resources to address community priorities and resources for civil society organizations and communities, including for community systems strengthening.
• Ensure that technical and Operation reports are generated in a quality and timely manner, and Communicating progress and learnings from projects to the EATP Coordinator and partners.
• Support interaction with donors across the Secretariat, notably Grant Management, in support of overall resource mobilization activities. Further frequently interacts with PSF Procurement, Communications, and Finance to ensure alignment with internal and external policies and procedures.
• Determine personnel, supplies, equipment, and other resources needed for the project.
• Assist in establishing criteria and measurable for success or completion of the project.
• Nurture relationships with the regional private sector apex body for tourism  and other stakeholders

 QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Proven 5 + years’ experience in a project management role.
• Proven track record of excellent performance related to private sector development.
• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism or a related field, e.g. Business administration, Social Sciences, Public relations, Communication, Project Management

• Excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills across a range of stakeholders, including the private sector, CSOs, INGOs or government institutions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office tools (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
• Business English proficiency is a must, with abilities to make conduct meetings in Kinyarwanda; and a working knowledge of  French would be an added value.
• Excellent Communication: Demonstrated ability to articulate Chamber/Associations  mission and program objectives persuasively

• Versatility and good judgment:
• Accountability: Demonstrated commitment to personal responsibility and value for equity
• Influence: Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage key stakeholders
• Project management: Multi-tasking, project management, and decision-making skills
• Agility: Flexible, results-oriented, and able to work in a project-driven environment