Technical Director (Rwanda)

FHI 360 is a global organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. With collaborations in over 60 countries, we work directly with local leaders to advance social and economic equity, improve health and well-being, respond to humanitarian crises and strengthen community resilience.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Technical Director for the upcoming FCDO Rwanda Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL) program.

This position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda and is contingent upon award.

Project Description

Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL) (2023 – 2030) is the FCDO’s new bilateral education program in Rwanda. GIRL will support marginalized girls and children with disabilities to return to school, stay in school and learn. GIRL will improve teaching pedagogy, which will in turn improve foundational learning outcomes in English and math for girls and boys. The program will reduce drop out and improve transition to lower secondary/other learning opportunities, particularly for girls and children with disabilities.

Position Description

The Technical Director provides technical leadership across the program and is responsible for leading the quality and timeliness of the project’s overall technical workstream. They will lead the technical team and development of technical deliverables, play a role in policy and advocacy efforts, liaise with technical partners, relevant national stakeholders, beneficiaries and FCDO, as needed. The Technical Director will be a senior education sector specialist with leadership experience from large-scale foundational learning programs in Rwanda and/or the region. They will be skilled in leading collaborative work, with a consistent track record in the design and delivery of inclusive and gender-responsive teaching methods, supporting the development of English language skills in teachers, pedagogy in English and math, formative assessment, test-learn-adapt approaches, and supporting the development of professional teaching communities of practice. The individual will have deep technical knowledge of national learning strategies for Rwanda and applied experience in delivering on Ministerial strategies for improved foundational learning.

Job Summary/Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to the GIRL program and technical team.
• Coordinate closely with the Team Leader on all technical matters; provide support to the overall leadership and management of the project.

• Facilitate and oversee intervention design and implementation relating to teaching proficiency and supporting out-of-school girls and boys to return to education or access other learning pathways.

• Oversee and quality assure the work of the technical team. Hold team and partners to account for agreed performance indicators.

• Maintain relationships on technical matters with relevant external collaborators and partners.
• Coordinate planning processes to ensure strategic and cohesive program direction.
• Oversee technical outputs (activities, strategies and deliverables) of all implementing partner organizations through regular field visits.

• Provide leadership to technical staff and ensure clear roles and responsibilities; maintain clear lines of communication with project team members.

• Conduct and/or provide guidance and oversight to staff conducting local partner technical capacity building activities.

• Play a role in leading and/or supporting policy and advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to project monitoring, evaluation, research and learning activities.
• Collaborate with in-country technical advisors and headquarter-based technical staff to ensure the project is implemented according to organization and industry best practices, program framework, and regulations.
• May serve as project representative in the absence of the Team Leader.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in math and/or literacy education, curriculum and instruction, primary teacher education or related field; PhD or EdD preferred.
• Expertise in education, in one or more of the following: inclusive education, teacher professional development, primary school instruction for math and/or English.

• Expertise in gender equality and social inclusion preferred; expertise in universal design for learning (UDL) preferred.

• Knowledge and expertise in driving improved learning outcomes in low and middle-income country education systems.

• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience in increasingly senior roles; at least five years in technical leadership positions in education programming; experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) or commercial consulting firm.
• Experience in the education sector in Rwanda or the region strongly preferred.
• Proven technical leadership in FCDO-funded projects preferred.

• Track record of effectively leading technical teams, with experience in managing and motivating individuals and teams to deliver high quality products and achieve program outcomes.

• Ability to build positive working relationships with local communities, government officials, implementing partners and donor representatives.

• Demonstrated ability in sophisticated environments, with multiple interventions/stakeholders, working across different cultures, and leading diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines.
• Strong written communication and experience leading report writing processes.
• Oral and written fluency required in English. Oral fluency preferred in Kinyarwanda and French.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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