Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group is a French public institution that implements France’s policy in the areas of development and international solidarity. Our mission is to contribute to the economic, social, and environmental progress of low and middle-income countries. In practical terms, this mission is carried out by providing loans, grants, expertise or technical assistance. They are granted to States, local authorities, companies, foundations or NGOs and are used to complete projects in many different fields including climate, biodiversity, energy, education and urban planning, health, digital technology, sport, and training.

AFD Group comprises AFD and its subsidiaries Proparco, dedicated to financing private-sector stakeholders, and Expertise France, the French international technical cooperation agency. Thanks to its network of 85 agencies throughout the world, AFD Group finances and monitors over 4,000 development projects and programmes. In 2020, the Group’s commitments amounted to €12.1 billion.

As part of the normalization of relations between France and Rwanda, AFD opened an office in Kigali in October 2021.

AFD’s action in Rwanda is organized around three pillars: human capital (health, education and vocational training); sustainable economic development; territorial development and access to basic services.

The Kigali Informal settlement upgrading project (KISUP) is part of the bilateral declaration of intent signed between the Government of France and the Government of Rwanda in May 2021.

Objectives and content of the project

The aim of the project is to improve the living conditions of the population of the three selected informal settlements, while mitigating gentrification dynamics for low-income households. The specific objectives are (i) to improve access to resilient & inclusive urban services, (ii) to sustain the capacity of local stakeholders, particularly the City of Kigali, to implement upgrading informal settlements project in a resilient and inclusive approach, (iii) to test social housing solutions to mitigate the effects of gentrification.

Component 1: the implementation of the Upgrading Settlement Plans

• Component 1.1: upgrading resilient, inclusive and safe infrastructures
• Component 1.2: upgrading socio-collective facilities through co-design
• Component 1.3: upgrading public spaces through the Urban Fabric Initiative

Component 2: enhancing capacity development for implementation and future upscaling

Component 3: testing Sustainable housing solutions for low-income tenants 

Institutional framework and implementation

The financing agreements were signed between AFD and MINECOFIN and on-granted to the City of Kigali (CoK), the implementing agency for the project. A steering committee, chaired by the City of Kigali, oversees the overall project and ensures coordination between the stakeholders. The project is implemented by the CoK Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU).  Upgrading settlements committees will coordinate between local government and residents.

An “Urban Fabric Operator” (for more details on urban fabric initiatives see https://pepinieres-urbaines.org/en/propos/what-urban-fabric-initiative/) is proposed to accompany the co-construction scheme with the residents of the 3 neighborhoods, and realize quick wins during the first year of implementation of the project. This UFI operator will be contracted directly by AFD on behalf of the City of Kigali.

A “Housing Upgrading Operator” is also considered to implement the housing pilot projects within the settlements on behalf of the City of Kigali. This Operator will be contracted by the CoK and will directly report to the SPIU.

Cost and financing

The total cost of the project is estimated at 56 million euros. It will be financed by a loan from AFD (€40 million), a grant delegation from the European Union (€9.25 million) and self-financing (€6 million) from the Government of Rwanda, mostly to fund the involuntary resettlements.

You will report to the AFD Rwanda Director.

What Will You Do:

Support CoK on the implementation of KISUP (70%)

• Support and Monitor the implementation of KISUP in the next 3 years with possibility of extension throughout the entire duration of the project (i.e. 5 years total). You will participate in the Steering Committee and whenever necessary in the Technical Committee to support the City of Kigali. In particular, you will support CoK in
  • the implementation of the pilot Affordable Housing Program and Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI) in collaboration with the City of Kigali, Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA)
  • ensuring the dialogue between Civil Society Organizations and government institutions in terms of public space upgrading, community participation and climate resilience
  • the implementation of the Capacity Development plan and the management of partnership with other development partners (European partners, ITDP, WRI, etc…)
• Support the City of Kigali to organize and facilitate workshops, meetings and launch of calls for proposals.
• Work with the City of Kigali staff members to prepare program reporting compliant with AFD/UE requirements.

Project management and sector watch under AFD responsability (30%)

• Monitor the UFI contract signed with the UFI operator (processing of disbursement request, review of audit and contract obligations, monitoring, evaluation, etc…)
• Ensure the coordination between all the project stakeholders closely with AFD,(support to the definition and use of tools dedicated to the project, efficient circulation of information at all levels,)
• Ensure timely project reporting to financing partners ( monitoring and evaluation, technical and financial implementation report, review of E&S safeguard policies, etc.)
• Ensure the good implementation of the project in financial terms both for AFD and UE contributions (follow up of the annual budget, of the use of the funds, support to financial management, audit, annual report)
• Assist the monitoring of KPIs, etc.
• Assist in the organization of project implementation support missions from AFD HQ in Paris and Regional Office in Nairobi
• Ensure the organization of the steering committees and of all necessary meetings closely with CoK and AFD
• Facilitate the regular relation with the EU delegation in Kigali and if necessary, act as AFD focal point for the EU for the regular follow up of the project
• Monitor national urban and housing policies in Rwanda
• Engage in public speaking on the program’s behalf where necessary (Expert Working Group, meetings with , etc.)

What will you need:

Education: You have completed a Master’s degree in urban development or equivalent.

• Experience: You have 6+ years of relevant experience in informal settlement upgrading program carried out through a participatory approach, with specific experience on community engagement and partnership management. A relevant experience on co-design of urban facilities will be preferred
• Strong knowledge of informal settlement upgrading policy in Africa.
• Experience in engaging with national governments, Local governments, international institutions and CSOs involved in settlement upgrading in Africa.
• Experience in project reporting on urban sustainable development, or related fields in Africa.
• Experienced in working with local stakeholders and facilitating hands-on engagement, you have great public relations skills and are used to engaging with local leaders and settlement representatives.
• Understanding of gender and climate issues in informal settlements.
• Languages: You have written and verbal proficiency in English. Proficiency in French is highly desirable.

Reporting

The consultant will submit quarterly reports presenting the tasks undertaken over the period and reporting on the overall progress of KISUP.

Application process:

Applicants must download the request for proposals below and follow the guidelines to submit their proposal. The proposal shall include :

Technical Proposal

This will comprise:

• A cover letter demonstrating your suitability for the role and your understanding of the assignment
• An updated curriculum vitae (CV)