We are looking for a visionary leader excited to build upon the success of a young organization and to help develop and implement a strategy for Generation Rwanda’s next phase of growth.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for education and international development, with the desire to lead an organization that has the potential to have a long-term and positive impact on the world. The Executive Director will be a thought partner to the Board of Directors as GR addresses new strategic challenges: How do we take what is already the most selective and comprehensive university scholarship program in East Africa and make it even better? How can components of GR’s program be used as a model to help Rwandan universities and other African universities improve their services to students? How and when do we introduce the GR model to another sub-Saharan African country where talented yet vulnerable young people need access to a university education in order to fulfill their potential?
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Founded in 2004, Generation Rwanda is dedicated to helping orphans and other socially vulnerable young people in Rwanda pursue a university education and ultimately become leaders in driving economic development and social reconciliation. Our scholarship and leadership education program provides comprehensive support – including tuition, housing, healthcare, and a wide range of supplemental training programs – that empowers our students to become Rwanda’s next dynamic professionals and leaders in their fields. Currently, there are 175 students who receive our scholarships to attend universities in Rwanda; 37 alumni of our program are now university graduates. In the summer of 2010, we concluded our intensive student selection process by accepting 25 extremely talented and motivated new students into the program from an applicant pool of 1,500.
Every student accepted into Generation Rwanda’s program has demonstrated academic talent and personal drive. The vast majority of our students are double-parent or single-parent orphans; all of our students come from vulnerable backgrounds. No other organization working in sub-Saharan Africa provides such a comprehensive university scholarship targeted to vulnerable populations. Our mission is premised on the belief that promoting access to higher education for motivated yet vulnerable young people supports Rwanda’s efforts to harness its population’s intellectual and entrepreneurial talent.
These efforts will succeed only when all students who excel – including orphans and vulnerable youth – have the opportunity to obtain a university degree and become the people they aspire to be.
As the organization has grown, our students have begun to distinguish themselves both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to performing well academically, Generation Rwanda’s students have gained a reputation within Rwanda for being among the country’s most ambitious and creative young leaders. Generation Rwanda is also fortunate to have a talented staff as well as a dedicated Board of Directors whose members have significant experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. More information about the organization is available at www.generationrwanda.org.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
We are seeking an exceptional leader to serve in a position that combines strategy, fundraising, and management. The U.S. office that the Executive Director (ED) will oversee is responsible for the organization’s fundraising and administrative functions. The ED will also provide oversight to the organization’s office in Kigali, which conducts all programmatic activities in Rwanda. The primary responsibilities of the ED are as follows:
Fundraising & communications
• Develops and implements fundraising goals and strategies, including the identification, cultivation and solicitation of new potential funders.
• Personally solicits major individual, corporate and foundation gifts and significantly increases the number and level of those gifts.
• Designs and implements creative and comprehensive cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for all donors.
• Focuses on external marketing of GR in order to enhance the organization’s visibility and recognition.
• Works closely with Board members on donor solicitation and the recruitment of new Board members.
Program development
• Ensures the high quality of Generation Rwanda’s existing programs while identifying new possibilities for program growth.
• Works closely with the Rwanda-based team on all key programmatic initiatives (e.g., the annual student selection process).
• Represents the organization to various institutions in Rwanda, including universities, government entities, partner organizations, and employers of GR students.
• Develops strategy for the potential expansion of the organization both within Rwanda and into other countries.
Finance & human resources
• Creates and monitors the annual budget in conjunction with GR’s Finance Committee. Works closely with GR’s Treasurer on all day-to-day financial matters.
• Provides overall supervision of GR’s other full-time staff members (seven in Rwanda and one in the U.S.) and ensures the success of GR’s performance evaluation system.
• Oversees all efforts to recruit new staff members and volunteers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
• Passion for education and international development
• Bachelor’s degree
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Significant experience and success in fundraising or sales
• At least three years of managerial experience
• Ability to travel to Rwanda for 1-2 months over the course of the year
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Flexibility, patience, sense of humor and ability to take initiative
Preferred but not required
• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Experience in the education field
• Experience in developing countries
CONTACT INFORMATION
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter addressed to Oliver Rothschild, Co-Founder, to edsearch@generationrwanda.org. CVs without cover letters will not be considered. No phone calls or faxes, please. Applications will be accepted until April 24, 2011.
