Position Overview

University of Kigali is looking for a dynamic and experienced individual to fill the role of Director of Community Engagement and Country Liaison Officer. This senior leadership position will play a crucial role in shaping and promoting the university’s image, bridging the gap between the academic institution, local communities, government bodies and industrial partners to enhance the University’s social, economic and cultural impact. The Director of Community Engagement and Country Liaison is responsible for leading the strategic development and implementation of initiatives that align the University’s research and teaching capabilities with community needs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Community Engagement

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy aligned with the University’s Vision and strategic plan.
• Establish and maintain sustainable, meaningful relationships with community leaders, local authorities, NGOs and industry partners
• Apply the “5 C’s” framework(Connection, Conversation, Commitment, Collaboration, Contribution) to build a robust community partnerships.
• Identify community-identified needs and aspirations, translating them into academic, research, or service- learning opportunities.
• Oversee the planning and execution of a large-scale community service events, town hall meetings and engagement workshops

2. Country Liaison and Stakeholder Management

• Ensure the University complies with government regulations and maintains positive relations with regulatory bodies.
• Advise University leadership on local, regional and national policies affecting the Education Sector.
• Coordinate high-profile events, MoUs, and partnership visits with government officials, NGOs, and regional organizations.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the University and government Ministries( e.g Ministry of Education)

3. External Relations, marketing and Advocacy

• Develop marketing and communication materials that showcase the University’s community impact and enhance its reputation.
• Represent the University at public events, national forums and media engagements.
• Manage the University’s “friend-raising” and where necessary, alumni engagement activities to foster a supportive community.

4. Institutional Coordination & Reporting

• Collaborate with internal departments(Research, Academic Affairs, Student Services) to integrate service-learning opportunities into the Curriculum.
• Establish mechanisms for social listening and feedback to integrate community voices into University decision-making.
• Prepare detailed reports, briefing notes and talking points for the Vice Chancellor/Board on engagement metrics and partnership activities.

Required Qualifications and professional experience

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Community Development, Communications or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in Community Engagement, stakeholder management, or public relations, preferably in higher education or large non-profit setting.

Leadership: Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team management and leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Knowledge: Strong understanding of the higher education landscape, national developmental policies, and community-based research methods.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to create engaging content and deliver presentations to diverse audiences.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent Networking abilities to build trust with local, regional and national partners.
• Analytical Ability: Ability to analyze community needs, monitor trends and evaluate the impact of engagement activities.
• Adaptability: Ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Partnership Growth: Number of new active partnerships with government, community or industry.
• Impact Metric: Number of students and faculty engaged in community-based research or Service-learning.
• Visibility: Positive media coverage and public perception metrics.
• Compliance: Successful renewal of required licences and MoUs with government bodies

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy aligned with the University’s Vision and strategic plan.
• Establish and maintain sustainable, meaningful relationships with community leaders, local authorities, NGOs and industry partners
• Apply the “5 C’s” framework(Connection, Conversation, Commitment, Collaboration, Contribution) to build a robust community partnerships.
• Identify community-identified needs and aspirations, translating them into academic, research, or service- learning opportunities.
• Oversee the planning and execution of a large-scale community service events, town hall meetings and engagement workshops
• Ensure the University complies with government regulations and maintains positive relations with regulatory bodies.
• Advise University leadership on local, regional and national policies affecting the Education Sector.
• Coordinate high-profile events, MoUs, and partnership visits with government officials, NGOs, and regional organizations.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the University and government Ministries( e.g Ministry of Education)
• Develop marketing and communication materials that showcase the University’s community impact and enhance its reputation.
• Represent the University at public events, national forums and media engagements.
• Manage the University’s “friend-raising” and where necessary, alumni engagement activities to foster a supportive community.
• Collaborate with internal departments(Research, Academic Affairs, Student Services) to integrate service-learning opportunities into the Curriculum.
• Establish mechanisms for social listening and feedback to integrate community voices into University decision-making.
• Prepare detailed reports, briefing notes and talking points for the Vice Chancellor/Board on engagement metrics and partnership activities.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to create engaging content and deliver presentations to diverse audiences.
• Excellent Networking abilities to build trust with local, regional and national partners.
• Ability to analyze community needs, monitor trends and evaluate the impact of engagement activities.
• Ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable environment.

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Community Development, Communications or related field.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in Community Engagement, stakeholder management, or public relations, preferably in higher education or large non-profit setting.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team management and leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong understanding of the higher education landscape, national developmental policies, and community-based research methods.