Wavumbuzi Programme Manager, Rwanda
BACKGROUND
Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy Rwanda (AGGPR) has embarked on a journey to develop responsible entrepreneurs across the African continent in service of the common good.
Our Vision is an empowered, prosperous, productively engaged African citizenry thriving in ethical societies with dignity and hope.
Our Mission is to attack poverty by investing in, nurturing, and empowering responsible entrepreneurs and leaders who benefit society by helping to accelerate meaningful employment creation, while embodying the values and behaviours of ethical leadership.
Our Values are long-term commitment, spirit of humility and significance, excellence, responsible stewards, and diversity and inclusion.
Jasiri, one of AGGPR’s main programs invests in, nurtures and empower entrepreneurs who benefit society and attack poverty through the creation of high impact new businesses creating new markets on the African continent.
Jasiri Talent Investor is a one-year program for high potential individuals who display exceptional entrepreneurial potential to form part of a community of high impact responsible entrepreneurs growing businesses from scratch. Participants are funded and guided through a process of team formation, idea generation, business validation and market entry. The program introduces Jasiri Fellows to equally ambitious co-founders, and supports them on an individual, team and business level through seasoned Facilitators and Coaches.
Jasiri Growth Accelerator invests in early stages, high potential startups that may still be too risky for commercial funders to invest in. Early-stage ventures with potential for high growth and demonstrated product-market fit are provided with funding to support their growth and assisted with investor readiness.
Wavumbuzi – a Jasiri pipeline building program – is a free annual six-week online entrepreneurship challenge focused on developing the entrepreneurial mindset of secondary/high school learners throughout the country. The challenge is designed to equip students with competencies to be the next generation of global leaders, change-makers and innovative thinkers.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Wavumbuzi Programme Manager, Rwanda, is a strategic and operational leader responsible for the effective planning, coordination, and execution of the Wavumbuzi Challenge and related interventions at the national level. This role combines tactical execution with ecosystem engagement, stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement to drive the growth, visibility, and impact of Wavumbuzi in Rwanda.
Reporting to the Rwanda Country Director, the Wavumbuzi Programme Manager will be responsible for translating strategic directives into actionable plans, ensuring efficient Programme implementation and effectively meeting in-country targets.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Execution:
Lead the effective end-to-end planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the Wavumbuzi Entrepreneurship Challenge and related interventions, ensuring achievement of Organizational Objectives, timelines, budgets, and high-quality participant experiences.
Oversee the national Wavumbuzi portfolio, streamlining roadmaps, dashboards, risk management, cross‐functional coordination, and stakeholder input to ensure strong program execution and data‐driven decisions.
Oversee operational excellence by leading the development and validation of content Quests, and managing the planning and execution of events, meetings, logistics, and incentives to scale impact and celebrate outcomes.
Lead, develop, and empower the Rwanda Wavumbuzi Officer by providing guidance, motivation, and structured support for their growth, performance, and professional development.
Lead the budgeting process, ensuring effective allocation and management of financial resources to support program objectives and maximize impact.
Identify and feature entrepreneurs in each edition of the Wavumbuzi Challenge, aligned with program themes.
Establishes clear performance measures and accountability for Wavumbuzi Ambassadors in collaboration with the Rwanda Wavumbuzi Officer, adapting approaches to maximize team productivity and fulfillment.
Ecosystem & Stakeholder Engagement:
Drives stakeholder engagement and forges partnerships to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
Provide regular, synthesized updates on program progress, challenges, solutions, and recommendations to both internal and external stakeholders.
Work closely with Marketing & Communications, PR agencies, and the Knowledge & Research Unit to develop thought leadership, impact stories, effective mobilization campaigns, social media content and website content updates.
Represent AGGPR at conferences, summits, and stakeholder events to enhance the visibility and positioning of Wavumbuzi.
Research & Impact Measurement:
Participate in research, including measuring the effects and outcomes of the Wavumbuzi program.
Use data and analytics to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Business Studies, Business Administration, Social Sciences or Project Management.
A certificate in Project Management is an added value.
Experience:
Minimum of 4 years’ experience in program management, with a track record of leading multiple projects through the full project life cycle.
Proven ability to manage financial budgets and people resources effectively.
Experience managing external partners and stakeholder relationships is required.
A solid understanding of the secondary school education environment, structure and key role players is required.
Experience within a non-profit and/or start-up environment is an advantage.
Skills and Competencies:
Project Management: Leads projects end‐to‐end, efficiently managing timelines, resources, risks, and outcomes.
Proactive & Self-Managed: Takes initiative, works independently, and actively seeks information to drive progress.
Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in fast‐paced, evolving environments; flexible, resourceful, and solutions‐oriented.
Communication (Written & Verbal): Communicates clearly in writing and speech, tailoring messages to diverse audiences and listening effectively.
Teamwork: Collaborative, inclusive, and values diverse perspectives in pursuing shared goals.
Planning & Organization: Strong ability to prioritize, manage time, and meet deadlines.
Leadership: Inspires and influences with integrity, accountability, and emotional intelligence.
Stewardship: Manages resources responsibly and advances the organization’s mission with integrity.
Growth Mindset and ongoing learning: Seeks continuous learning, embraces feedback, and adapts to new ideas.
Results-Driven: Focused on delivering high‐quality outcomes efficiently and consistently.
Problem Solving: Quickly analyses issues, identifies root causes, and delivers practical, effective solutions.