Deputy Country Head

Focus of the Role

Rwanda has successfully concluded its Vision 2020 that guided the country’s development over the past 20 years. It has now embarked on yet another ambitious 30-year journey with a new Vision 2050. Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation have set out targets for Rwanda’s transition to a high-income economy, built through private sector-led growth and human capital development. These ambitious targets will require a step change in the approaches used by the Government of Rwanda. 

TBI has been supporting Rwanda for 12 years and has established a unique trusted relationship with the Government. As the country enters a new phase, while simultaneously addressing the crisis posed by COVID-19, TBI will support the economic recovery from this shock, focusing on stimulating economic growth and human capital development. Among the key drivers of Rwanda’s growth are: improving human capital, local productivity and competitiveness, technological innovation, trade, and financial sector development. TBI’s strategy for its partnership with the Government of Rwanda takes these as the starting point.

We are looking for a Deputy Country Head to be responsible for supporting the TBI country project team in the management of TBI supported country projects. The Deputy Country Head role is a new management role that has arisen following TBI’s growth and support work to the Government of Rwanda. Important to note is the new focus of our support to the Government’s digital transformation journey aimed at harnessing technology to solve problems for citizens. The Deputy Country Head will work closely with the Country Head who leads the country project team and the Head of Tech, who will manage TBI’s Tech for Development projects in Rwanda, as part of a Rwanda management team.  The team will be responsible for ensuring that all country project requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track.

Key Responsibilities

1. Support the Country Head build and maintain senior government relationships

• Provide high quality advice to senior government counterparts as well as TBI leadership
• Understand the political and governmental landscape of Rwanda, channelling this knowledge into project decision-making

2. Play a key role in setting the strategic direction of the project, leading performance reviews and measurement of impact

• Be accountable to the Country Head for developing the strategic direction for the project, specifically the annual strategy setting and quarterly review process, playing a lead role in workstream design, based on TBI’s mission and approach within Rwanda’s country context
• Identify and develop new strategic opportunities with counterparts
• Be accountable to the Country Head for implementing the OKRs (with responsibility for workstreams contracted with GoR), working alongside the Head of Tech for Development to ensure workstreams are on track against project requirements and schedules
• Lead the planning and evaluation cycle to assess regularly whether the strategy is ‘working’ and adapt rapidly in response to new challenges and opportunities.  Including:
  • Ensure the project has a clear Objectives and Key Results framework for regular monitoring, using the organizational Theory of Change and impact tools. Lead regular project performance reporting, including the quarterly review process
  • Deploy a strategic approach to review project progress, consider alternative approaches and re-set workstream objectives accordingly (within the OKR framework), with approval from the Country Head
  • Prepare status reports and establish effective project communication plans to key stakeholders (e.g., GoR)
  • Support the country team to conduct post project evaluation and identify successful and unsuccessful project elements
  • Learn from and apply new and innovative approaches to policy reform in Africa to support change and deliver impact in Rwanda
  • Apply the above to drive a culture of continuous learning within the Rwanda team
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and perform other duties as reasonably required to achieve the goals of the Rwanda project and the Institute

3. Build and manage a high performing team, working alongside the Country Head

• Oversee specific technical areas and workstreams and ensure coordination between them, under TBI’s contract with the Government of Rwanda, which will be defined in the team’s OKRs
• Coach technical experts to problem-solve delivery issues and unblock bottlenecks in the above-mentioned technical areas and workstreams
• Manage team performance and delivery quality under the GoR contract
• Challenge ways of working in the team to drive impact
• Role-model TBI’s culture, living and representing TBI’s values
• Contribute to recruitment processes to build a high performing team that is the right fit for Rwanda’s context

4. Support the enablers of the Rwanda project: business development, thought leadership and fundraising

• Contribute analysis, lessons learnt, case studies and/or policy papers as necessary to support TBI fundraising, partnership and communications activities
• Provide active contribution to thought leadership, fundraising and external positioning, to bring the best possible contribution from the team, and provide individual leadership to contribute your own thinking

5. Maintain TBI’s license to operate in Rwanda

• Act as Country Head when the Country Head is away and support the Country Head in a range of activities e.g. operational management, liaising with HQ on reporting, approvals etc.
• Manage the Supplier for Administration and Operations Management Services.  Accountable for project budget management, including putting in place appropriate financial controls; operations and oversight of supplier relationships; security and risk management
• Anticipate project risks and manage the Supplier to suggest actions to mitigate them, including financial, reputational, safety and security
• Responsible for ensuring TBI policies and procedures are adhered to at all times

Person Specification

We are looking for an outstanding individual with high levels of enthusiasm, drive, resilience, a can-do attitude and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment; an individual with a proven track record of leadership and delivery in the public or private sector. .

The requirements that should be met are:

• Role must be filled by an individual who can live and work in Rwanda without restriction
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in government, government advisory or management consulting public/civil services worldwide, finance or international development
• The ability to work and interact at the highest levels of public life, strong political acumen, and the ability to develop an understanding of the needs of senior officials
• The ability to manage high level political relationships, including as an interlocutor in Mr Blair’s relationship with the Government leadership
• The ability to work independently, think strategically and translate strategies into concrete and implementable plans
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, including sound knowledge of data analysis, strategic planning, and project management tools
• A strong understanding of harnessing technology for change and use of technology for accelerated development
• Subject matter expertise may be required e.g. public policy, international development, private sector development, agriculture etc.  depending on the project strategy
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team
• Experienced people manager and effective motivator of high performing teams
• High quality communication, drafting and presentation skills
• The ability to set and maintain a safe and secure culture and professional environment
• Strong sense of ethics, discretion and perseverance required
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is strongly desirable
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Kinyarwanda and French is desirable

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.