JOB POSTING – Country Director, Rwanda

Organization:    Right To Play International

Department/Division:  International Programs

Work Location:    Kigali, Rwanda

Position Status:    Local or Expat (unaccompanied or accompanied)

Target Start Date:  April 2023

Contract Duration:   Long term engagement

Closing Date:        13^th February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Right To Play is a global organisation that protects, educates and empowers children to rise above adversity using play. By harnessing play, one of the most powerful and fundamental forces in a child’s life, we helped 1.52 million children last year to stay in school and out of work, to prevent life-threatening diseases like HIV and malaria and to stay safe from exploitation and abuse. We are the only global development organization focused exclusively on using play to transform the lives of children and youth impacted by poverty, war, disease and inequality.

Established in 2000, Right To Play reaches children through experiential programming in 15 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These programs are supported by our headquarters in Toronto, Canada; London, UK and eight national offices across Europe (Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK) and North America (Canada, US).

With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:

• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Country Director, Rwanda reports directly to the Global Director, Country Operations and leads the Rwanda team to deliver on our strategic plan through high quality, impactful programming. The Country Director manages, mentors, coaches and guides the Senior Management Team, building a team culture in line with our culture code. Fundraising, representation and relationship development are core responsibilities to grow our impact, income and profile. The Country Director ensures that our financial, operational and people management systems and process function effectively with adequate controls in place and that risks are identified and mitigated.

This is a senior leadership role within Right To Play (RTP), member of the Global Leadership Team (comprised of Country Directors, National Directors and HQ Directors and Executive Team Members) and contributing to global system improvement initiatives.

The position is based in Kigali, Rwanda with field visits, however, some international travel may be required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job Responsibility #1: Country Office Strategy, Leadership and Impact (20% of Time):

• Develop the strategic vision and direction of the country program in line with the strategic direction of RTP and the socio-economic and political environment in Rwanda
• Strategically oversee the program portfolio ensuring it is in line with the Rwanda Strategic Plan and delivers quality and impact for children
• Promote a ‘One Right To Play’ approach, demonstrating RTP’s values, culture code and mission at country level
• Provide overall leadership on identifying, mitigating and monitoring programmatic and operational risks.
• Ensure high quality program design that is contextually appropriate, strategically aligned, scalable and impactful
• Participate in and informs global initiatives to improve organisational systems and processes
• Oversee the timely submission of quality reporting to HQ, donors and government

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Job Responsibility #2: Fundraising, Representation and Relationships (30% of Time):

• Secure and steward in-country funding opportunities, building relationships with donors in country to increase funding and strengthen RTPs profile and visibility.
• Serve as the main in-country contact for all external stakeholders; develop and maintain links with relevant senior government officials and with country representatives in donors, UN bodies, academia and other international NGOs
• Promote RTP’s organizational identity to all stakeholders and partners while ensuring RTP remains relevant to the changing needs of the most vulnerable people in the country
• Lead the preparation and hosting of strategic donor and RTP HQ visits and workshops
• Represent RTP in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of RTP
• Represent the organization in national and international media, where required

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 Job Responsibility #3: People Management, Mentorship and Coaching (25% of Time):

• Lead, coach and develop the Senior Management Team, ensuring they have the required expertise in their functional areas (programs, policy/advocacy, finance, people) while supporting them to build capability to lead the country office, cross-functionally
• Oversee overall country People & Culture management processes, ensuring compliance and best practices
• Oversee and monitor efficiency, fairness, timeliness of recruitment processes based on RTP guidelines focusing on retention of talent and timely resourcing to deliver results
• Oversee staff mentoring and training to strengthen capacities and job satisfaction
• Ensure implementation of the Performance Management System including work planning, reviews, appraisals, staff learning and development
• Respond to legal claims or investigations, seeking legal advice as appropriate

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Job Responsibility #4: Finance, Compliance and Controls (15% of Time)

• Provide oversight to all finance and administrative services in the Country Office
• Oversee the country annual budget and is accountable for adherence to agreed expenditure levels – both restricted and unrestricted
• Ensure adequate mechanisms are in place for monthly & quarterly budget reviews and minimize significant expenditure variances and financial risks, including analysis and tracking of grant commitments and obligations
• Ensure all finance and program staff understand financial and internal control systems and budgets and comply with RTP Finance and grant management policies and procedures
• Oversee annual and project-specific audit processes within the Country Office

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Job Responsibility #5: Security, Safety, Risk Management and Safeguarding (10% of Time)

• Provide overall leadership on safeguarding, ensuring that all RTP team members and partners adhere to RTP’s safeguarding policies as a minimum standard
• Carry out risk, vulnerability and threat assessments as well as physical security assessments of all sites making prioritized recommendations for improvement through the Standard Operational Procedures and contingency plans
• Liaise with local and regional officials, UN, NGO and other agencies regarding security issues in the planning, coordination, promotion of, and support for existing RTP projects
• Ensure safeguarding is integrated into all program and organizational risk assessments and budget and quality mitigation strategies are put in place
• Monitor and mitigate all other organisation risks, including those related to legal presence and governance

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Must have):

EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION:

• Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development studies or other related discipline

EXPERIENCE:

• 10 years’ experience in a leadership role within a large or international organization working on strategic planning, leadership and people management, program quality, project management and planning, monitoring and evaluation, human resources and financial management

COMPETENCIES/PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Strategic planning skills
• Leadership, influencing and managerial skills
• Strong coaching and mentorship skills
• Ability to gain trust and secure donor funding
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders
• Creativity and problem-solving skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Superior organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Ability to work under pressure meeting deadlines
• Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive teams and work environments
• Demonstrated commitment to RTP’s mission, vision and code of conduct

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Proven knowledge and commitment to effective program design and delivery to achieve impact
• Proven knowledge of budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data or keen willingness to learn
• Proven experience in program design and/or strategy development to achieve impact
• Demonstrated computer skills especially in MS Office packages
• Knowledge and understanding of Rwandan context

LANGUAGES:    

• Fluency in spoken and written English

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (An Asset)

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development studies or other related discipline
• Proven success with mobilizing new sources of program funding
• Experience managing multi-sectoral programmes (e.g. Quality Education, Gender Equality, Health & Well-being, Child Protection, etc.)
• Significant experience with a child-focused organization

WHO YOU ARE:

You are highly driven, results-oriented, highly collaborative and well-rounded leader with a passion for working with children and youth. You are an exceptional communicator with excellent networking skills. You have a good understanding of the cultural dynamics in Rwanda and can build the team’s confidence to excel in their various roles. You are thrilled at the opportunity to make an impact in Rwanda, and you love building partnerships and alliances.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

The opportunity to work with a passionate, innovative and collaborative team where you have the ability to make things happen. You will gain experience working for a globally recognized organization with a healthy culture premised on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care and be playful). In addition, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package including 3 Personal Days and 5 Learning & Development Days per year.