Policy, Programme and Partnership Manager – Strategic Partnerships & Innovation

About the role

The British High Commission in Kigali is looking for a Policy, Programme and Partnership Manager to help shape the UK's partnership with Rwanda at the intersection of innovation, science and technology, policy and international cooperation. The postholder will own and help set the direction of the High Commission's strategic partnerships and innovation agenda, with significant autonomy, and will work within its four-person Analysis Cluster.

Key responsibilities

• Innovation, science and technology (40%): lead the High Commission's work on innovation, including technology and AI, and analyse Rwanda's innovation ecosystem, its key actors, barriers, market failures and opportunities for UK engagement.
• Translate analysis into policy advice, briefings and activities, and drive the innovation component of the portfolio programme, covering scoping, design, delivery and adaptation.
• Strategic partnerships (35%): manage and strengthen institutional partnerships such as those between HMRC and the Rwanda Revenue Authority, the Office for National Statistics and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, and the National Audit Office and the Office of the Auditor General, and broker new collaborations between UK and Rwandan organisations.
• Convene partners and coordinate technical exchanges, visits, workshops and senior-level engagement.
• Programme management (20%): manage the Peer-to-Peer Partnerships, Programme-Funded Posts and Innovation components of the portfolio programme under the FCDO Programme Operating Framework, monitoring performance, impact, finances, risks and value for money.
• Wider contribution (5%): take part in the life and work of the High Commission and support cross-office priorities.

Required profile

• Curious, entrepreneurial and interested in innovation, science and technology, including AI.
• Comfortable working with significant autonomy and taking ownership of a growing agenda.
• Desirable: experience of project or programme management, including managing budgets, risks and results.

Required skills

• Analytical and policy skills, able to turn analysis into practical recommendations.
• Relationship-building and influencing skills with stakeholders across government, the private sector, academia, civil society and international organisations.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to change.