The Senior Manager will lead government relations, strategic partnerships, public engagement, and fundraising efforts to help scale GiveDirectly’s impact in Rwanda. This role requires managing high-level external relationships, aligning projects with national development goals, and ensuring institutional and financial support for operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and manage relationships with senior government officials and institutions

• Secure necessary government approvals and ensure compliance

• Represent GiveDirectly in national forums and events

• Monitor stakeholder relations and improve engagement strategies

• Align initiatives with national development strategies

Partnership Development & Fundraising

• Develop relationships with donors (government, multilateral, private foundations)

• Lead partnership pipeline building and proposal development

• Coordinate with global fundraising teams

• Track engagement progress and maintain donor communications

Crisis Management

• Act as strategist during high-risk events

• Manage crisis response plans and public messaging

• Mitigate reputational and operational risks

Internal Coordination & Project Support

• Facilitate coordination among internal teams and external partners

• Support planning and delivery of strategic initiatives

• Organize key meetings and document action points

Communications & Representation

• Draft high-quality communications (briefs, memos, press releases)

• Represent the organization in media, stakeholder, and donor engagements

• Oversee public and stakeholder communications during field operations

Reporting & Insights

• Provide monthly updates on stakeholder relations, public perception, and risks

• Maintain transparent communication with authorities and partners

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in government relations, public affairs, or partnership development

• Experience engaging with senior government officials in Rwanda

• Proven record of managing multi-stakeholder projects

• Background in fundraising and proposal development

• Experience working in NGOs or international development

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving

• High-level project management and coordination

• Stakeholder engagement and public representation

• Knowledge of donor landscape (e.g., US Government, FCDO, private foundations)

• Understanding of government processes and risk mitigation

• Ability to work cross-culturally and across time zones

• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple workstreams

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required

• French is a plus

Preferred/Good to Have:

• Experience with national media representation

• Familiarity with software tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and Asana

• Interest in poverty alleviation and impact-driven partnerships

• Ability to deliver in fast-paced, high-performance environments