Plan International is seeking an experienced development professional to serve as Head of Programmes in its Rwanda Country Office. The senior leadership position is based in Kigali and focuses on providing strategic direction and operational oversight for high-quality, gender-transformative programmes that advance children’s and young people’s rights and equality for girls.
The position is open to Rwandan nationals only, and the successful candidate will report directly to the Country Director.
About Plan International
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation working to advance children’s rights and equality for girls. The organisation works with children, young people, communities, partners and supporters across more than 80 countries.
Its work focuses on addressing the root causes of poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination while supporting children and young people to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity.
Role of the Head of Programmes
The Head of Programmes will provide strategic leadership for the programme portfolio of Plan International Rwanda and ensure that projects are aligned with the organisation’s Country Strategy, global standards and programme priorities.
The role involves overseeing the complete programme cycle, including:
- Programme and project design
- Strategic planning and implementation
- Programme quality and learning
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Risk management
- Budget and resource management
- Project closure
- Fundraising and proposal development
- Influencing and strategic partnerships
The successful candidate will work closely with Programme Managers, Project Managers and Programme Unit Managers to ensure that programmes are effectively planned, delivered and evaluated.
As a member of the Country Management Team, the Head of Programmes will contribute to strategic decision-making and implementation of Plan International Rwanda’s Country Strategy. The role will also support fundraising by providing technical leadership and helping develop strong, high-quality funding proposals.
Gender-Transformative Programming
A central responsibility of the position is ensuring that programmes contribute meaningfully to gender equality, girls’ rights and the rights of children and young people.
The Head of Programmes will help ensure that programme interventions are gender-transformative, sustainable and capable of producing measurable improvements for children, girls and young people across Rwanda.
The role also requires strong integration of safeguarding principles into programme design and implementation.
Safeguarding and Organisational Standards
Because Plan International works directly with children and young people, the Head of Programmes is expected to uphold the organisation’s safeguarding standards and policies.
The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate commitment to:
- Safeguarding children and young people
- Preventing sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse (PSHEA)
- Gender equality
- Diversity and inclusion
- Racial justice
- Girls’ rights
- Plan International’s organisational values and behaviours
Plan International conducts pre-employment checks as part of its safeguarding procedures. Recruitment may also involve checks under the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is specifically advertised for Rwandan nationals.
Candidates should have substantial experience in programme leadership, development or humanitarian programming and be capable of providing strategic and operational leadership across a complex country programme.
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to manage programme quality, teams, budgets, risks, partnerships and fundraising while ensuring that interventions remain aligned with organisational strategy and standards.
Because the position is a senior leadership role, strong strategic thinking, programme management, collaboration, communication and influencing capabilities will be important.
Location, Contract and Reporting
Position: Head of Programmes
Organisation: Plan International
Location: Kigali, Rwanda – Country Office
Eligibility: Rwandan nationals only
Reports to: Country Director
Grade: Level 18
Field: Programme Management
Posted: 16 September 2026
Closing date: 30 September 2026
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official Plan International careers platform before the closing date.
Applicants should carefully review the full job description and ensure that their CV and application clearly demonstrate relevant programme leadership experience, strategic management capabilities and experience delivering quality development or humanitarian programmes.
Candidates should also ensure that they meet the nationality requirement before applying.
How to Strengthen the Application
Applicants can strengthen their applications by clearly demonstrating experience relevant to the responsibilities of the position. In particular, the application should highlight experience in:
- Strategic programme leadership and country-level programme management
- Designing and implementing high-quality development or humanitarian programmes
- Gender-transformative programming and girls’ rights
- Programme monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Budget, risk and project-cycle management
- Fundraising and development of competitive proposals
- Partnership management and stakeholder engagement
- Safeguarding and protection
- Leading multidisciplinary teams
- Influencing policy and programme priorities
Applicants should use specific examples and measurable results wherever possible rather than relying only on general descriptions of responsibilities.
Important Deadline
The application deadline for the Plan International Head of Programmes position is 30 September 2026.
This is a Rwandan national position based in Kigali, so applicants should confirm their eligibility before submitting an application.
Official Source and Application
The vacancy is published through Plan International’s official careers platform under Requisition ID 54963.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
Opportunity Summary
- Opportunity: Head of Programmes
- Organisation: Plan International
- Location: Kigali, Rwanda
- Nationality: Rwandan nationals only
- Job Type: Senior programme management
- Reports to: Country Director
- Grade: Level 18
- Posted: 16 September 2026
- Deadline: 30 September 2026
- Focus Areas: Programme Management, Children’s Rights, Girls’ Rights, Gender Equality, Development and Humanitarian Programming
Plan International is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates who can contribute to its mission of advancing children’s rights and equality for girls.
