Overview
Head of Programme Operations Jobs in Kigali, Kigali City, Rwanda at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Title: Head of Programme Operations
Company: Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Location: Kigali, Kigali City, Rwanda
Head of Programme Operations
Reporting to: Country Manager
Rwanda
Why This Role Matters
As Head of Programme Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Harambee Rwanda’s programme delivery ecosystem. You’ll ensure that sourcing, assessment, work readiness, skilling, talent linkage, inclusion, and transition-to-work functions operate as one seamless system focused on delivering employment outcomes for young people.
You’ll also serve as a strategic partner to the Country Manager, supporting organisational planning, programme execution, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
What You’ll Be Doing
Strategic Leadership & Programme Delivery
✅ Lead and integrate programme delivery functions to create a seamless, demand-led youth employment pathway.
✅ Translate strategy into clear operational priorities, delivery plans, targets, and execution mechanisms.
✅ Drive programme performance across assessments, skilling participation, readiness outcomes, inclusion metrics, and transition-to-work targets.
Workforce Development & Skilling
✅ Oversee skilling partnerships and interventions to ensure alignment with employer demand and future workforce needs.
✅ Ensure assessment outcomes inform appropriate skilling pathways and employment matching decisions.
✅ Strengthen programme quality and participant outcomes across the employment journey.
Inclusion & Impact
✅ Ensure inclusion is embedded throughout programme design and delivery, with a focus on women, refugees, and persons with disabilities.
✅ Use performance data, employer feedback, and labour market insights to continuously improve programme effectiveness.
Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
✅ Lead, coach, and develop managers and programme teams.
✅ Build strong relationships with training providers, implementing partners, employers, government stakeholders, donors, and other strategic partners.
✅ Support organisational planning, cross-functional alignment, and strategic decision-making alongside the Country Manager.
Who We’re Looking For
You are a strategic and operational leader who combines strong programme management capability with a deep commitment to youth employment and social impact.
Essential Requirements
✅ Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Policy, Human Resources, Programme Management, or a related field.
✅ 8-10 years of leadership experience in programme operations, workforce development, youth employment, education-to-employment initiatives, or related sectors.
✅ Experience leading multiple teams or functions within complex operational environments.
✅ Proven ability to translate strategy into operational execution and measurable results.
✅ Strong people leadership capability, including managing managers, developing teams, and driving accountability.
✅ Experience managing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
✅Strong analytical capability and experience using data to improve programme performance and decision-making.
Advantageous
✅ Postgraduate qualification in Leadership, Management, Development, Education, Public Policy, or a related field.
✅ Experience in youth employment, workforce development, skilling, training, assessments, or transition-to-work programmes.
✅ Understanding of employer demand planning and labour market trends.
✅ Fluency in Kinyarwanda and/or French.
Why Join Harambee Rwanda?
At Harambee, you’ll be part of an organisation that is changing the trajectory of young people’s lives through innovative employment pathways and strategic partnerships.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
Shape the future of youth employment in Rwanda.
Lead large-scale programmes that deliver measurable impact.
Work closely with government, employers, training providers, and development partners.
Use data and evidence to improve outcomes and scale impact.
Lead and develop high-performing teams committed to meaningful social change.
Join a purpose-driven organisation that believes employment changes lives.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply
