ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS RWANDA

Special Olympics Rwanda (SOR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sport. SOR provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

POSITION SUMMARY

SOR is seeking a passionate, skilled, and experienced Sports Director to lead and oversee adaptive sports programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities across Rwanda. The Sports Director will be the primary driver of sports development, athlete empowerment, coach education, and competition management. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep knowledge of adaptive sports, a demonstrated commitment to inclusion, and hands-on experience working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Sports Program Management

• Design, implement, and manage SOR’s national sports programs across all designated sports disciplines.
• Develop and maintain seasonal sports calendars, competition schedules, and training plans in collaboration with Sports Management Teams (SMTs).
• Plan and execute qualifying competitions, regional events, and national tournaments.
• Represent SOR at national, regional (Africa), and international Special Olympics events including World Games and Africa Games.
• Manage athlete participation and team preparation for National Invitationals and multi-sport events.

Adaptive Sports & Athlete Support

• Apply evidence-based adaptive sports methodologies tailored to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
• Ensure all sports programming is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of SOR athletes.
• Develop and maintain athlete training resources, toolkits, and competition operations guides.
• Monitor athlete well-being, progress, and participation, ensuring their medical and eligibility requirements (Medical Forms, etc.) are kept up to date.
• Promote athlete leadership, self-advocacy, and the Unified Sports model.

Coaches & Volunteers

• Recruit, develop, and lead Sports Management Teams (SMTs) for each assigned sport.
• Design and execute coach education and training programs in collaboration with the Director of Volunteer Engagement.
• Track and report coach certification status and ensure compliance with Special Olympics coaching standards.
• Coordinate sports officials for all league play and competitions.
• Foster a positive volunteer culture aligned with Special Olympics values.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, universities, sports federations, government agencies (RNCTP, MINISPOC), NGOs, and community organizations.
• Collaborate with local sports facilities to ensure accessible venues for athletes with disabilities.
• Represent SOR in national disability and sports forums, advocating for inclusive sport policies.
• Maintain high levels of customer service to athletes, families, coaches, and partners.

Reporting & Administration

• Compile timely reports on program activities, athlete statistics, coach certifications, and event outcomes.
• Contribute to grant reporting and proposal development as required.
• Maintain professional knowledge by engaging with international Special Olympics (SO Africa, SONA) guidelines, regulations, and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Program Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Adapted Physical Education, Special Education, Sports Science, Business or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Essential Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of direct, hands-on experience working with persons with intellectual disabilities in a sports, recreation, or rehabilitation setting. This experience must be clearly documented in the application.
• Demonstrated experience in adaptive sports programming, designing, coordinating, or coaching sports activities adapted for athletes with disabilities.
• Proven experience in leading and managing teams including staff, coaches, and volunteers in event or sports management contexts.
• Experience planning and executing sports competitions, tournaments, or multi-day events.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of the rights, dignity, and empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Knowledge of Special Olympics rules, competition formats, and operational standards (prior SO experience is a strong advantage).
• Excellent organizational, scheduling, and multitasking abilities.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) in English; Kinyarwanda is required; French is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders including government, NGOs, schools, families, and international partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic data management tools.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate advocate for the inclusion and well-being of persons with intellectual disabilities.
• High integrity, professionalism, and sensitivity to disability inclusion.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and in various weather conditions during events.
• Willingness to travel within Rwanda and occasionally regionally/internationally.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 kg

• Design, implement, and manage SOR’s national sports programs across all designated sports disciplines.
• Develop and maintain seasonal sports calendars, competition schedules, and training plans in collaboration with Sports Management Teams (SMTs).
• Plan and execute qualifying competitions, regional events, and national tournaments.
• Represent SOR at national, regional (Africa), and international Special Olympics events including World Games and Africa Games.
• Manage athlete participation and team preparation for National Invitationals and multi-sport events.
• Apply evidence-based adaptive sports methodologies tailored to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
• Ensure all sports programming is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of SOR athletes.
• Develop and maintain athlete training resources, toolkits, and competition operations guides.
• Monitor athlete well-being, progress, and participation, ensuring their medical and eligibility requirements (Medical Forms, etc.) are kept up to date.
• Promote athlete leadership, self-advocacy, and the Unified Sports model.
• Recruit, develop, and lead Sports Management Teams (SMTs) for each assigned sport.
• Design and execute coach education and training programs in collaboration with the Director of Volunteer Engagement.
• Track and report coach certification status and ensure compliance with Special Olympics coaching standards.
• Coordinate sports officials for all league play and competitions.
• Foster a positive volunteer culture aligned with Special Olympics values.
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, universities, sports federations, government agencies (RNCTP, MINISPOC), NGOs, and community organizations.
• Collaborate with local sports facilities to ensure accessible venues for athletes with disabilities.
• Represent SOR in national disability and sports forums, advocating for inclusive sport policies.
• Maintain high levels of customer service to athletes, families, coaches, and partners.
• Compile timely reports on program activities, athlete statistics, coach certifications, and event outcomes.
• Contribute to grant reporting and proposal development as required.
• Maintain professional knowledge by engaging with international Special Olympics (SO Africa, SONA) guidelines, regulations, and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Program Officer.

• Strong understanding of the rights, dignity, and empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Knowledge of Special Olympics rules, competition formats, and operational standards (prior SO experience is a strong advantage).
• Excellent organizational, scheduling, and multitasking abilities.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) in English; Kinyarwanda is required; French is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders including government, NGOs, schools, families, and international partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic data management tools.

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Adapted Physical Education, Special Education, Sports Science, Business or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct, hands-on experience working with persons with intellectual disabilities in a sports, recreation, or rehabilitation setting. This experience must be clearly documented in the application.
• Demonstrated experience in adaptive sports programming, designing, coordinating, or coaching sports activities adapted for athletes with disabilities.
• Proven experience in leading and managing teams including staff, coaches, and volunteers in event or sports management contexts.
• Experience planning and executing sports competitions, tournaments, or multi-day events.