International Health and Climate Expert (m/f/x) - Rwanda

Job Description

Background


Enabel initiated the implementation of the recently signed five-year bilateral cooperation program (2024-2029). With an initial total budget of 95 million euros in four priority development sectors in Rwanda: health, agriculture, urbanization and support in public financial management.

The Government of Rwanda has announced an ambitious climate action agenda aiming at 38% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, equivalent to mitigating approximately 4.6 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) . Different initiatives to reduce carbon emission have been launched in different sectors such as transport and construction to contribute to the national climate agenda. Another significant aspect of this effort is the establishment of a national climate fund to support climate-related initiatives across sectors.

The health component of Enabel’s portfolio is implemented as one programme with a total budget of 51,7 million euro. The health program is organized around three key results, funded by Belgium, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the European Union (EU). 

The first result focuses on informed decision-making to enhance access to quality healthcare, and the “4 by 4” initiative, which aims to quadruple the number of healthcare professionals within four years and support their retention. This component uses the Result-Based Financing (RBF) approach and includes a 24 million Euro grant from Belgium, as well as a 4 million Euro grant to provide expertise in support of implementing AFD’s 35 million Euro loan.

The second result emphasizes evidence-based planning and decision-making by Getting research into policy and practice (GRIPP). It supports the Rwanda Biomedical Center’s transformation into a National Public Health Institute and Center of Excellence in research and innovation, strengthening core functions and building capacity in digital health, data, and analytics. 

The third result includes the Kwigira project, funded by the EU through the Team Europe Initiative. This critical initiative aims to enhance access to quality vaccines, medicines, and health technologies across Africa. In partnership with the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority,Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd, and Rwanda National Ethics Committee.

In the health sector, the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH) is leading the national climate and health response. A task force has been created and has led to major milestones including the establishment of a climate desk at the MoH level, and the creation of a climate and health technical working group with specific terms of reference to support MoH’s actions towards climate impact management.

The specific objective for the health program is  to strengthen the access to quality healthcare, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and the fight against gender-based violence. The health program is currently implemented at the district level, providing specific support in four districts: Gisagara, Nyamasheke, Rusizi and Karongi. 

Funded through an AFD loan, the program will adopt a similar RBF approach  in the Northern Province, targeting four districts: Musanze, Gakenke, Rulindo, and Gicumbi.  The two main objectives include :

1. To enhance access to high-quality primary healthcare services for individuals, families, and communities, delivered through a climate-resilient and efficient gender-responsive health system that addresses maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, nutrition, and emergencies/referrals.
2. To increase the number of qualified healthcare professionals working within a strengthened health system by focusing on attracting and retaining talent, with special attention to gender inequality.
   

Beside the above loan, AFD has requested Enabel to provide expertise support to the project through the recruitment of an International Health and Climate Expert to assist with the implementation of the climate and health desk.

Job description


As an International Health and Climate Expert you will directly report to the Head of Planning, strategic information and health financing at the MoH and to the Public Health Lead Expert at Enabel and you will be responsible for leading efforts to enhance the adaptability and sustainability of health systems in response to climate change at the MoH under the climate and health desk. The expert will be seconded full time at the MoH, department of Planning, strategic information and health financing with a primary focus on developing “climate and health” strategies and funding proposals. 

The role involves developing and implementing strategies to ensure that health services can effectively respond to the growing challenges posed by climate-related events, such as extreme weather, temperature changes, and disease outbreaks. You will collaborate with multiple stakeholders (including government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations) to integrate climate resilience into health policy and practice.

Responsibilities:

• You contribute to the implementation of the project by taking part in the planning, execution, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation of activities;
  
• You advise on the basis of your technical expertise, in order to achieve performance in accordance with national and international norms and standards;
  
• You contribute to integrate climate resilience in existing and future health public policies;
  
• You support the strengthening of the MoH’s climate and health desk. Including the vulnerability and adaptation assessment and development of the health national adaptation plan (HNAP) and other activities under the climate and health desk;
  
• You lead and manage projects related to climate and health. Ensuring timely delivery of goals and objectives;
  
• You contribute to the development of proposals in response to funding opportunities. Including background research and content development;
  
• You promote cross-sectoral collaboration with other ministries, such as the Ministry of Environment in order to integrate climate resilience and financing mechanisms into broader health and environmental strategies;
  
• You support the emergence of a costed health and climate transformation plan;
  
• You contribute to capacity development of partner organisations (Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Rwanda Green Fund …).
  
  

Your profile


Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in Climate Sciences, Environmental Health or Public Health. 
  

Required experience 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in health systems strengthening, with a focus on climate resilience or environmental health;
  
• A proven track record in designing and implementing climate adaptation strategies and climate financing mechanisms within health systems;
  
• A demonstrated success in mobilizing resources from multilateral climate funds (GCF, GEF) for health-related projects, including grant writing and strategic fund management;
  
• An international experience (i.e. in the international development sector and outside your country of origin) is an asset.
  

Required skills and knowledge

• Strong knowledge of global climate change frameworks and their implications for health;
  
• Good knowledge of aspects of international development (context, challenges, application, partners, functioning…);
  
• Excellent analytical, communication and leadership skills;
  
• Ability to implement a change process;
  
• Knowledge management and knowledge building;
  
• You are result oriented;
  
• Ability to use new technologies used in the area of expertise;
  
• The ability to work with diverse teams and stakeholders across sectors is an asset;
  
• You are fluent in spoken and written French or Dutch. Considering the working language of Rwanda and the international environment in which you work, excellent knowledge of English is required. 
  

Applicants are also required to commit to the vision, mission and values of Enabel (https://www.enabel.be/content/enabel-vision-mission-values).

We offer you

• A fascinating and interesting job in an international environment.
  
• A contract of 29 months. You are based in Kigali and you will frequently travel to the different districts. 
  
• You are employed by Enabel in the function of “Sectors & Thematics Expert”. A salary package that comprises the monthly gross salary, in accordance with our salary scales (Class 6), and Enabel expat benefits such as a remoteness, assignment and hardship allowance, (capped) coverage of housing expenses, a moving compensation, an installation compensation, (capped) coverage of school expenses for children accompanying, an insurance package for the whole family, including repatriation insurance, and an annual round-trip flight ticket for each family member.
  
• In case of expatriation without the (dependent) members of the family, up to six additional round-trip flight tickets to the country of origin or another destination (capped in accordance with Enabel rules).
  

The various amounts vary in function of relevant recognised experience for the function and family composition.

Following this recruitment procedure a shortlist of successful applicants may be constituted which may be sourced in the next three years for similar job openings.

Every person who fulfils the conditions listed in our job advertisements may apply. Enabel is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in its workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability status or any other factor other than competence.

Are you interested?

Apply here on-line  with  an  application  letter and your updated CV, at the latest by 27th February 2025.

Only applications that are registered here via our on-line portal will be considered. 

About the Organization

Enabel is the Belgian development agency. Our mission is to build a sustainable world where all live under the rule of law and are free to thrive. With our partners, we offer solutions addressing pressing global challenges – Climate Change, Social and Economic Inequalities, Urbanisation, Peace and Security, Human Mobility – and promoting Global Citizenship.  

We have over 25 years' experience in areas ranging from education and health care to agriculture, environmental protection, digitalisation, employment and governance. Enabel’s expertise is eagerly sought-after by partners around the globe – ranging from the Belgian government, European Union institutions, governments of other countries and the private sector. We work with civil society, research institutes as well as businesses and we foster fruitful interaction between development policy and other areas.  

With over 2,100 staff, Enabel manages more than 200 projects in more than twenty countries, in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.