If you are passionate about transforming children's lives through education and early childhood development, this is one of the most meaningful job opportunities available in Rwanda right now. FH Association Rwanda (Food for the Hungry), one of the country's most established international development organizations, is looking for a highly experienced Productive Learning Specialist to join their Kigali-based team.
This is not an entry-level posting. It is a senior technical role designed for professionals who have spent years working at the intersection of education systems, community development, and child resilience. If that describes your background, read on. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
About FH Association Rwanda (Food for the Hungry)
FH Association Rwanda is the Rwandan chapter of Food for the Hungry (FH), an international Christian relief and development organization founded in 1971. For over 50 years, Food for the Hungry has been designing, developing, and delivering solutions so that children, families, and communities can flourish — collaborating with local leaders across sectors to co-create solutions that build resilience by strengthening mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
FH began working in Rwanda in 1994, responding to the serious humanitarian crisis caused by the genocide. In the years that followed, the organization implemented emergency programs including family tracing, agriculture interventions, food distributions, and livelihoods support. Since 2001, FH Rwanda has focused its efforts on long-term development work, including livelihoods, food security, and education.
Today, FH Rwanda operates across seven districts: Ruhango, Muhanga, Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Ngororero, Karongi, and Rulindo. Their Head Office is located at Umuyenzi Plaza, 2nd Floor, Kisimenti, Remera, Kigali.
The organization's culture is guided by what they call Heartbeat Values, a set of principles centred on promoting dignity, integrity, and impact in every program they implement. All staff are expected to demonstrate a vibrant personal faith commitment alongside professional excellence.
Why This Role Matters: The ECD Context in Rwanda
To fully appreciate the weight of this position, it helps to understand why Early Childhood Development (ECD) and productive learning are such critical priorities in Rwanda right now.
In Rwanda, nearly 800,000 children — 38 percent of the child population — are stunted, preventing them from reaching their full cognitive, motor, language, and socio-emotional potential. Just 18 percent of children between the ages of 3 and 6 have access to pre-school programmes, day care, or other early learning facilities, and only 1 percent of children aged 3 and under can access these services.
Despite these challenges, Rwanda's government has made significant strides. Through its Integrated Early Childhood Development program, supported by the World Bank, the proportion of children benefiting from integrated ECD services has risen from 17 percent to 80 percent in just four years — a remarkable achievement driven by strong government commitment and more than doubled funding between 2016 and 2023.
For organizations like FH Rwanda, the opportunity to contribute to this transformation — and to fill the gaps that government programs cannot reach alone — is enormous. That is precisely the environment in which this Productive Learning Specialist will operate.
You can learn more about Rwanda's approach to ECD through the UNICEF Rwanda Early Childhood Development programme page, which outlines the national priorities in detail.
Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Productive Learning Specialist |
| Organization | FH Association Rwanda (Food for the Hungry) |
| Department | Programs |
| Reports To | Program Director |
| Location | Head Office, Kigali |
| Start Date | As Soon As Possible |
| Application Deadline | Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM |
What Is a Productive Learning Specialist?
The title may be unfamiliar to some candidates, so it is worth unpacking. In the context of FH Rwanda's programming model, Productive Learning is one of the core pathways within their broader UNLOCK model — a framework designed to build resilience in children, families, and communities so they can move from vulnerability to flourishing.
The Productive Learning pathway focuses specifically on:
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) — ensuring young children receive holistic care, stimulation, and learning support in their earliest years
- Foundation Literacy and Numeracy — helping children develop the reading and mathematics skills that underpin all future learning
- Formal and Non-Formal Education (F&NE) — supporting both school-based learning and out-of-school educational pathways
- Youth Learning and Development — equipping young people with practical skills to become productive members of their communities
The Productive Learning Specialist leads this entire pathway — from program design and technical quality to partnerships and staff capacity building.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
This is a substantial, multi-dimensional role. Here is a detailed breakdown of what the position involves:
Strategic and Technical Leadership (50% of the role)
Program Design and Systems Transformation
The specialist will lead the design and contextualization of Productive Learning strategies, aligning them with FH's internal UNLOCK model and Rwanda's national education frameworks — including MINEDUC policies and the national ECD policy framework.
Rwanda adopted an ECD policy that targets children from conception to age six, with active participation from parents, caregivers, and communities. The World Bank's analysis of Rwanda's ECD approach highlights how integrated, community-based programming is the most effective model for reaching vulnerable children, which is exactly the kind of systems-level thinking this role demands.
Technical Quality and Innovation
Beyond strategy, the specialist will co-design practical products and services related to ECD and non-formal education, evaluate existing approaches, and identify what is working and what needs to change. This requires someone with genuine experience — not just theoretical knowledge.
Capacity Building and Staff Development
One of the most important functions of this role is building the skills of field staff and frontline workers. The specialist will identify training gaps, coordinate training programs, and provide post-training mentorship to ensure quality implementation at the community level.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research
Working closely with the MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning) team, the specialist will track the progress of Productive Learning initiatives and use data to refine approaches. They will also lead country-level research initiatives related to the pathway.
Behaviour Change and Caregiver Engagement
A particularly important component is integrating Social Behaviour Change (SBC) principles into learning programs, specifically through FH's CONNECT SBC model. This involves strengthening caregiver engagement in early learning and addressing gaps that prevent families from supporting their children's development at home.
Strategic Partnerships Development (40% of the role)
This role is not confined to internal program work. A significant portion involves building and managing relationships with external stakeholders, government ministries, donors, NGO partners, and community leaders.
Responsibilities in this area include:
- Mapping and engaging with key institutional actors in the education and ECD space
- Providing technical guidance for developing concept notes and funding proposals
- Representing FH Rwanda at national Technical Working Groups and sector coordination platforms
- Preparing donor communication, meeting minutes, and technical briefs
- Monitoring new grant opportunities and supporting the Country Office's funding pipeline
Strong partnership work also means ensuring that the perspectives of local communities — caregivers, educators, and community members are meaningfully incorporated into program design through participatory co-creation sessions.
Business Development and Resource Mobilization (10% of the role)
The final component of the role involves contributing to FH Rwanda's financial sustainability by:
- Leading and contributing to high-quality funding proposals for Productive Learning programming
- Identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities aligned with FH Rwanda's strategy
- Building relationships with donors and development partners
- Helping position FH Rwanda as a credible and innovative partner in the ECD and education space
- Contributing to achieving the organization's annual funding targets for the Productive Learning portfolio
Required Qualifications and Experience
FH Rwanda is looking for a seasoned professional. Here is what they require:
Academic Background:
- A Bachelor's degree in Basic Education, Early Childhood Development, Psychology, or a related field is the minimum requirement
- A Master's degree is listed as an added advantage, and given the seniority of the role, it significantly strengthens an application
Professional Experience:
- A minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience working on programs that support basic education, ECD, non-formal education, or youth development
- Demonstrable experience in coordinating capacity building and providing technical support for child development and learning programs
Technical Skills and Knowledge:
- Knowledge and practical application of active learning strategies
- Experience in systems strengthening, designing interventions that improve the broader environment for child development, rather than just delivering isolated services
- Competence in designing Productive Learning products and solutions aligned with resilience-building principles
- Understanding of how to incorporate technology into teaching and learning experiences
- Skills in participatory facilitation leading co-creation sessions with caregivers, educators, policymakers, and community members
- Experience in Systems Practice (understanding root causes and designing scalable systemic solutions) is listed as an additional asset
Soft Skills and Other Requirements:
- Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English essential, given frequent interaction with the Global Services Center and international stakeholders
- Demonstrable capacity to prioritize and work under pressure
- Strong technical writing skills, including project reports, donor briefs, and program documentation
- Experience in partnership building, preferably within government structures
- A vibrant personal faith commitment consistent with FH's Christian organizational identity
What Makes a Competitive Applicant?
Based on the scope of this role, the strongest applicants will be those who can demonstrate:
- Practical field experience in ECD or non-formal education in Rwanda or East Africa, not just policy knowledge, but real implementation experience at the community level
- Experience with government engagement, specifically with Rwanda's education system (MINEDUC, REB, districts), since aligning with national frameworks is a central requirement
- A track record in proposal writing and donor relations, given the business development component of the role
- Multilingual communication skills, English is essential; French and Kinyarwanda are practical advantages in Rwanda's development sector
- Commitment to FH's Christian values. This is an explicitly faith-based organization, and the requirement for a personal faith commitment is genuine, not ceremonial
For context on how Rwanda's government approaches the ECD sector, exploring resources from the Rwanda National Child Development Agency (NCDA) can help candidates speak credibly about national frameworks during interviews.
Salary and Benefits
FH Rwanda has not published a salary range for this position. However, for senior technical specialist roles at international NGOs in Rwanda, candidates can typically expect:
- Monthly gross salary: RWF 1,200,000 – 2,500,000 depending on qualifications and experience
- Benefits typically include: health insurance, transport allowance, professional development support, and a strong organizational culture with values-aligned leadership
Salary specifics should be confirmed directly with FH Rwanda during the recruitment process.
Why Work for FH Association Rwanda?
This is a genuine question worth considering seriously before applying. Here are the reasons this role stands out:
Meaningful Mission: FH Rwanda's programming directly impacts the lives of children and families in some of Rwanda's most underserved communities. If you want your work to matter beyond the office, this delivers that.
Senior Technical Platform: As a Specialist reporting to the Program Director, you will have significant influence over program strategy, not just implementation. This is a career-advancing role.
Regional and Global Exposure: FH Rwanda is part of a global organization with operations in 18 countries. Staff gain access to global technical advisors, international learning networks, and cross-country programming experience.
Sector Relevance: ECD and education are priority investment areas in Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). Being positioned at the forefront of that work, with an organization that has been operating in Rwanda since 1994, is a strong professional credential.
How to Apply
FH Rwanda has a specific online application process for this vacancy:
Step 1: Complete the Job Application Form using the official link: http://105.179.7.34/fhrwjobs
Step 2: Attach all required documents:
- Cover letter (addressed to FH Rwanda HR)
- Updated CV/Resume
- Names and contacts of three professional referees (including email addresses and telephone numbers)
Step 3: Submit before Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Technical issues? Contact FH Rwanda separately at: rwanda@fh.org
Important: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. FH Rwanda strongly encourages qualified and experienced female candidates to apply.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Tailor your cover letter to the specific language in this job description. Use terms like "Productive Learning," "systems transformation," "ECD pathway," and "UNLOCK model" to show you understand FH's framework
- Quantify your impact: how many children did your programs reach? How many staff did you train? Numbers build credibility
- Address the faith requirement directly. A brief, authentic sentence about your personal faith commitment goes a long way in an FH application
- Highlight government partnership experience if you have worked within MINEDUC, REB, or district education structures; make this prominent in both your CV and cover letter
- Apply early. FH Rwanda may begin reviewing applications before the deadline closes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is this role open to non-Rwandan candidates? The job listing does not specify nationality requirements. Given that it is based at FH Rwanda's Kigali Head Office and involves government engagement, strong familiarity with the Rwandan context is a practical advantage, but the position is not explicitly restricted to Rwandan nationals.
Q2: What does "vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ" mean in practice? FH is an explicitly Christian development organization. This requirement means candidates should be active in their personal faith and comfortable working within a values framework rooted in Christian principles. It is listed as a core requirement, not optional.
Q3: Can I apply if I have a Master's degree but fewer than 5 years of experience? The posting specifies 5–7 years of experience as a minimum. A Master's degree is an advantage, but does not substitute for the experience requirement. Candidates with strong academic credentials but limited field experience are unlikely to be competitive for this particular role.
Q4: What is the UNLOCK model mentioned in the job description? The UNLOCK model is FH's proprietary program framework for community development. It integrates multiple thematic pathways, including Productive Learning, livelihoods, health, and spiritual development, into a coherent, community-centred approach to achieving flourishing. Understanding this model is important for candidates to demonstrate in their application.
Q5: Does FH Rwanda accept applications via email? No, the primary application method is through the online form at the official link. Email (rwanda@fh.org) is provided only for technical difficulties with the application portal.
The Productive Learning Specialist vacancy at FH Association Rwanda is a rare opportunity for experienced education and ECD professionals to step into a senior role with genuine strategic influence, meaningful community impact, and strong organizational support.
Rwanda's early childhood development sector is growing rapidly, backed by government investment and international partnerships. FH Rwanda is one of the organizations leading that growth — and this role sits at the heart of their educational programming.
If you have the experience, the technical skills, and the values alignment this role requires, do not wait until the deadline. Prepare your documents, complete the application form, and submit your candidacy today.
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