SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is an independent member association affiliated to the SOS Federation. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda leverages existing community resources to strengthen quality childcare and protection through a holistic continuum of care tailored to orphans, vulnerable children, and their families. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda actively advocates for the promotion of childcare and child protection. In Rwanda, SOS Children’s Villages operates in four Program Areas based in Gasabo, Gicumbi, Kayonza and Nyamagabe. SOS Children's Villages Rwanda is undergoing accelerated growth and strategic transformation, expanding its project portfolio, geographic reach, and budget while implementing its SOS Strategy 2030 and Care Promise commitments. The organisation is simultaneously navigating Rwanda's Child Care Reform agenda, a shift from institutional care to community-based family strengthening models which requires strong strategic coherence and coordinated programme implementation.

To further fulfil the above-mentioned responsibilities, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is seeking for a competent Director of Strategy and Programs Implementation, to base at its National Office Kigali, Kacyiru.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the National Director,the Director of Strategy and Programs Implementation is the technical architect of SOS Rwanda's mission, providing the leadership architecture that connects strategic ambitions with operational realities. As per the proposed SOS Rwanda national structure, this role directly supervises all Programme Area heads and works in close coordination with the Research and RBM Senior Manager and MEAL function.

TheDirector of Strategy and Programs Implementation will act as the technical lead for SOS Rwanda's mission delivery, responsible for ensuring that programs are implemented with high quality and strictly aligned with the new strategic direction. The role leads SOS Rwanda's strategic planning processes, oversees integrated programs implementation across all four area offices, provides leadership to the MEAL function, and drives the organisation's evidence, learning, and accountability agenda.

The position translates the organisation's strategy into actionable area-level plans, ensures Area Managers have clear implementation roadmaps, and provides real-time data and strategic insights to the National Director and the Board.

Main clients:

• National Director
• Deputy National Director for Operations
• Director of Programme Quality, Safeguarding and Partnership Development
• Head of Finance and Head of FDC
• Head of Programme Areas / Area Managers (all 4 areas)
• Research and RBM Senior Manager
• MEAL and Strategic Accountability team
• Donor representatives and SOS Regional/Global counterparts
• GoR partners and sector coordination bodies (NCDA, MIGEPROF, MINEDUC)

Responsibilities or duties:

1. Strategic Planning & Organisational Alignment
   1. Lead SOS Rwanda's annual strategic and operational planning processes, ensuring alignment between the MA Rwanda Strategic Plan 2023–2027, SOS Strategy 2030, donor requirements, and programs realities across all four area offices.
   2. Translate organisational strategy into actionable annual plans, results frameworks, and implementation roadmaps for all programs locations and departments.
   3. Facilitate strategic review processes, mid-year and annual, to assess progress, adapt plans, and respond to contextual changes.
   4. Champion localisation and decentralisation, supporting the development of area-level strategic plans and empowering Area Managers to lead contextualised implementation
   5. Coordinate operational alignment across departments — finance, programmes, MEAL, ICT, HR, procurement, to ensure integrated and efficient programme delivery.
2. Programme Implementation Oversight
   1. Lead direct supervision of all Heads of Program Areas / Area Managers, ensuring regional operations meet national standards and that implementation remains on track.
   2. Oversee national program implementation across all thematic areas — Alternative Care, Family Strengthening, MHPSS, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Emergency Response.
   3. Drive programmatic innovation, lead the design of new service models (Professional Foster Care, Family-Based Care, Community Empowerment) and ensure they are scalable and aligned with Rwanda's Care Reform agenda.
   4. Lead programme coordination meetings and cross-location learning forums to promote coherence, innovation, and peer support.
   5. Oversee programs budget utilisation in partnership with the Head of Finance, ensuring spending is on track and value-for-money principles are applied.
3. Results-Based Management (RBM) & MEAL Leadership
   1. Provide strategic leadership to the Research, RBM and MEAL function, ensuring robust data systems, quality indicators, and real-time impact dashboards are in place for the National Director and the Board.
   2. Work with the M&E team to translate field data into strategic insights that inform national policy and programmatic decision-making.
   3. Lead annual reporting on strategy implementation, programs results, and performance indicators to the National Director, SOS Board, and donors.
   4. Ensure strong MEL systems are in place for all donor-funded projects, meeting contractual reporting obligations for SOS traditional and other institutional donors.
   5. Drive a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning across all programme levels.
4. Transition Leadership & Systems Strengthening
   1. Lead the transition from institutional care to community-based family-strengthening, overseeing the closure of institutional facilities and the successful reintegration of children into families.
   2. Lead systems strengthening initiatives, introducing digital tools, SOPs, and platforms that enhance programme efficiency and accountability.
   3. Champion decentralisation by strengthening the capacity of Area Managers to plan, implement, and report independently.
   4. Contribute to organisational change management — supporting staff at all levels to adapt to new programme models and ways of working.
5. Representation & External Engagement
   1. Represent SOS Rwanda in national and regional forums on programs implementation, childcare, and social protection when delegated.
   2. Engage with GoR partners on programme alignment, childcare reform, and sector coordination.
   3. Support cross-country learning and sharing with SOS Member Associations in the ESAF region.
   4. Contribute to donor engagement processes including program-level visits, reviews, and learning events.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field (Grade 3 minimum requirement).
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification is an advantage.

Experience needed:

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive senior experience in program management and strategic planning; 5+ years in a senior management role.
• Demonstrated experience leading MEAL functions and implementing results-based management systems.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-donor, multi-location program portfolios (>5B RWF equivalent).
• Experience in childcare reform, alternative care, or family strengthening programming is a strong advantage.
• Experience in Africa — Rwanda or the ESAF region preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent programme management and project cycle management skills across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities, including direct supervision of Area Managers.
• Strong data analysis, report writing, and donor communication skills.
• Knowledge of child rights, child protection, and social protection programming in Rwanda.
• Proficiency in programme management and RBM tools and digital platforms.
• Fluent English; Kinyarwanda and/or French is an advantage.
• Commitment to SOS values, child protection, and ethical leadership.

• Lead SOS Rwanda's annual strategic and operational planning processes, ensuring alignment between the MA Rwanda Strategic Plan 2023–2027, SOS Strategy 2030, donor requirements, and programs realities across all four area offices.
• Translate organisational strategy into actionable annual plans, results frameworks, and implementation roadmaps for all programs locations and departments.
• Facilitate strategic review processes, mid-year and annual, to assess progress, adapt plans, and respond to contextual changes.
• Champion localisation and decentralisation, supporting the development of area-level strategic plans and empowering Area Managers to lead contextualised implementation
• Coordinate operational alignment across departments — finance, programmes, MEAL, ICT, HR, procurement, to ensure integrated and efficient programme delivery.
• Lead direct supervision of all Heads of Program Areas / Area Managers, ensuring regional operations meet national standards and that implementation remains on track.
• Oversee national program implementation across all thematic areas — Alternative Care, Family Strengthening, MHPSS, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Emergency Response.
• Drive programmatic innovation, lead the design of new service models (Professional Foster Care, Family-Based Care, Community Empowerment) and ensure they are scalable and aligned with Rwanda's Care Reform agenda.
• Lead programme coordination meetings and cross-location learning forums to promote coherence, innovation, and peer support.
• Oversee programs budget utilisation in partnership with the Head of Finance, ensuring spending is on track and value-for-money principles are applied.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Research, RBM and MEAL function, ensuring robust data systems, quality indicators, and real-time impact dashboards are in place for the National Director and the Board.
• Work with the M&E team to translate field data into strategic insights that inform national policy and programmatic decision-making.
• Lead annual reporting on strategy implementation, programs results, and performance indicators to the National Director, SOS Board, and donors.
• Ensure strong MEL systems are in place for all donor-funded projects, meeting contractual reporting obligations for SOS traditional and other institutional donors.
• Drive a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning across all programme levels.
• Lead the transition from institutional care to community-based family-strengthening, overseeing the closure of institutional facilities and the successful reintegration of children into families.
• Lead systems strengthening initiatives, introducing digital tools, SOPs, and platforms that enhance programme efficiency and accountability.
• Champion decentralisation by strengthening the capacity of Area Managers to plan, implement, and report independently.
• Contribute to organisational change management — supporting staff at all levels to adapt to new programme models and ways of working.
• Represent SOS Rwanda in national and regional forums on programs implementation, childcare, and social protection when delegated.
• Engage with GoR partners on programme alignment, childcare reform, and sector coordination.
• Support cross-country learning and sharing with SOS Member Associations in the ESAF region.
• Contribute to donor engagement processes including program-level visits, reviews, and learning events.

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent programme management and project cycle management skills across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities, including direct supervision of Area Managers.
• Strong data analysis, report writing, and donor communication skills.
• Knowledge of child rights, child protection, and social protection programming in Rwanda.
• Proficiency in programme management and RBM tools and digital platforms.
• Fluent English; Kinyarwanda and/or French is an advantage.
• Commitment to SOS values, child protection, and ethical leadership.

• Master’s degree in international development, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field (Grade 3 minimum requirement).
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification is an advantage.