Call for Applications: Program Development Lead

Report to: Project Director – Digital Skills for Employability
Location: Rwanda
Status: Full-time; term contract

Who We Are:

Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), is an International Non-profit Organization headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, which fosters digital inclusion for leadership, economic empowerment, and climate action among young women and men in Africa and the Middle East.  DOT is a vibrant youth-driven community of trailblazing social pioneers equipped with the necessary tools, knowledge, and networks to create opportunities and drive transformation within their communities. We strive to foster youth potential, bridge digital gaps across communities, and inspire young individuals to partake in an all-inclusive digital economy.  As catalysts of development for over 23 years, our impact extends to over 25 countries.  

Established in 2010, DOT Rwanda is a registered branch of DOT. As a youth-serving and locally-staffed organization, DOT Rwanda has long-standing operations and networks of local and international partners across Government, higher educational institutions, foundations, civil society, and the private sector that extend across diverse urban and rural communities. For 14 years, DOT Rwanda has nurtured the 21st-century skills, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial mindset of young women and men, including those in marginalized communities. This has led to the creation of a powerful ripple effect, impacting over 120,000 people, expanding their enterprises, spurring employment, and cultivating community leaders.

DOT Rwanda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is leading a consortium to implement the four-year “Digital Skills for Employability” (DSE) program. This program is implemented by a consortium led by DOT Rwanda and consisting of four youth-serving organizations (KLAB, Igire Rwanda Organization (IRO), CLA-Intango TSS, and SOLVIT Africa), will support more than ten thousand young Rwandans, with a special focus on young women, youth with disabilities (PWD), refugees, and rural youth, by providing them with the digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to secure dignified and fulfilling livelihood in the digital economy.

The Opportunity:

DOT Rwanda is seeking a dynamic and experienced Tech Engagement Lead to oversee the strategic integration of technology across the DSE project. This role is crucial to ensuring the project’s digital skills curriculum remains relevant, innovative, and responsive to the evolving needs of Rwanda’s digital economy.

The tech engagement lead will ensure technical quality across the consortium programming. They will also connect program graduates with mentorship and investment opportunities within the tech ecosystem. Moreover, they will integrate emerging technologies across consortium programming to keep the curriculum relevant and forward-looking, as well as oversee the utilization and management of consortium digital devices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s technical strategy, ensuring alignment with the project’s Theory of Change, industry standards, emerging technologies, and the needs of the Rwandan job market.
• Collaborate with consortium partners to develop, review, and update training curricula for all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). Ensure that the curricula are relevant, engaging, and meet international quality standards.
• Oversee the procurement, distribution, and management of digital devices (laptops, desktops) for training centers and participants, ensuring efficient allocation, maintenance, and utilization. 
• Develop and implement a device management strategy for the project, ensuring equitable and efficient distribution and utilization of devices across consortium partners and program beneficiaries.
• Monitor device usage data and provide recommendations for optimizing device allocation and utilization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with private sector employers in the technology sector. Work closely with the consortium partners to identify internship and job placement opportunities for program graduates.
• Explore and establish partnerships with technology companies, industry associations, and other relevant stakeholders to enhance the project’s technical capacity and access to resources.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in the digital economy. Identify opportunities to integrate relevant technologies into the project’s curriculum and activities.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly related to technical skills development and technology utilization.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning activities related to technology within the consortium and with external stakeholders.
• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned in relation to digital skills development and technology integration.

Qualifications:

• A resident of Rwanda, legally able to hold employment in the country.
• Bachelor’s degree or professional equivalent in computer science, information technology, or a related field. ,
• A minimum of 3 years of work experience in a nonprofit and youth environment. 
• Excellent written and communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Demonstrated command of ICT and experience working with digital technologies.
• Proficiency in IT infrastructure and project management tools.
• Experience with software development cycles is desirable
• Demonstrated skills and experience in training and transfer of knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and develop team capacity in ICT and digital innovation.
• Experience in the digital tech field, with the ability to identify and recommend digital materials and tools necessary for program implementation.
• Demonstrated ability in content development and learning teams support.

Your Talent

• Passion for technology and its potential to empower young people.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Adaptable and proactive, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

What DOT Offers:

• DOT compensation is competitive with local markets, and rates for this position recognize the importance of the role to both DOT’s operations and its global purpose-driven mission.
• The opportunity to collaborate with an energetic international team dedicated to youth empowerment and systemic change.
• The chance to make a significant difference for youth and your country.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application through this Google form (https://forms.gle/LWsJN9CCzbvVy4sD7) (A Gmail account is required to view this form and upload documents) by 09th May 2025, at 05 PM Kigali Time. 

DOT celebrates diversity and is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment that values cross-cultural understanding. Qualified women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

DOT ensures accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Information.

DOT Rwanda and our partners are a safe and inclusive community and this opportunity is completely free. If you have been asked to pay or provide anything outside of what has been communicated here or encounter any other incidents related to your lack of safety during this process please contact us at rwanda@dotrust.org

Role description – If you would like a copy of the call for application, please email our team at recruitmentrwanda@dotrust.org