VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

Role overview

VSO Rwanda wishes to recruit a highly motivated, dynamic and results driven Head of Programmes to lead the effective and quality implementation of programmes as well as support the growth of the programmes in line with the Country Strategy and Global strategic programme priorities. The post holder will work closely with the Country Director and wide range of stakeholders at country, region and global levels to develop and maintain strong partnerships, diversify and stabilize the funding portfolio as well as manage effectively teams towards achieving sustainable impact.

Skills, qualifications and experience

• Mastery of knowledge in Development studies
• High level of academic achievement in a relevant subject area to social development
• Substantial senior level programme leadership and management experience in a complex INGO
• Evidence of progressive experience in evidence-based programme development,
• Evidence of use of participatory methods in programming.
• Proven programme development and management experience

Ability to demonstrate:
• Successful team leadership and management experience in a complex INGO.
• high level involvement in strategy development and implementation work
• Innovation in development especially in moving development outcomes into advocacy.

Ability to manage:
• Significant-sized budgets successfully within a consortium.
• Fundraising and M&E expertise
• Representation and negotiation skills – ability to negotiate difficult deals and maintain relations with external stakeholders.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office word, outlook and excel.
• Financial Management – Proven ability to develop and provide strategic monitoring to program budgets.
• Planning and Time Management – Able to prioritize tasks, manage time and tight schedules, work effectively under pressure, and assist direct reports with prioritization of tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Representation and negotiation skills – ability to negotiate difficult deals and maintain relations with external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer skills – MS Office, Outlook, Internet.
• Ability to travel and spend time away from base and home as required.

Desirable:
• Work experience or good understanding of the Rwandan/East African context.
• Good understanding of the Rwanda development context; proven experience in at least one sector of VSO Rwanda’s current work: Education, health and resilient Livelihoods and possibly also experience of working in organizations that use volunteers
• Ability to communicate in French (Writing and speaking) and Kinyarwanda.

VSO reserves the right to close this job early if sufficient applications are received.

If you’re interested in applying for this role, please download the job description for more information.