CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER (CSO)
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER (CSO)
AFR
About The Job
The Chief Strategy Officer ensures that AFR’s strategy and programme portfolio are designed to maximise development impact and value for money in pursuit of AFR’s mission to promote financial inclusion, sector transformation and inclusive real economy advancement in Rwanda. As a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT), the CSO leads the development of evidence-based
strategies and scalable programme concepts that respond to systemic market challenges and drive long-term change.
The CSO oversees AFR’s research, programme design and quality, and development impact functions, ensuring they are integrated into coherent programming that supports learning and innovation. The role also plays a leadership role in fundraising by shaping fundable concepts and overseeing the quality of technical proposals. Through this portfolio, the CSO ensures AFR’s strategy is well-informed, well-funded, and effectively implemented.
Specific Skills
Essential
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in programme design, development impact, or strategic leadership within international development, financial inclusion, or economic development, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven ability to originate and shape complex, high-impact programmes grounded in robust theories of change and aligned with market systems development approaches.
- Demonstrated success engaging directly with bilateral, multilateral, or philanthropic donors to develop fundable propasals, articulate value-for-money, and build strategic partnerships
- Strong grasp of development impact management, including adaptive learning, impact assurance, and the strategic use of evidence to influence internal decisions and external stakeholders.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and processes; able to mobilise technical, operational, and communications inputs in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
- Well-established professional networks in the financial inclusion and development sectors with a track record of leveraging these relationships for strategic impact
- Proven experience in financial inclusion, microfinance, fintech, development finance, or inclusive banking.
- Having a strong sense of engagement that leads to self-starting, taking initiative and acting decisively
- Generates value-adding innovation through continuous improvement, idea generation and creativity
- Think clearly and intentionally, analyzing information objectively, understanding issues, solving problems, and forming expert opinion
- Initiates and maintains positive relationships with others; discerning and appreciating the values, concerns, or feelings of others
- Deliberately adjusts behavior to address the feelings, needs or concerns of others; communicates clearly, confidently, and appropriately to influence others.
- Possesses the personal resourcefulness to deal with difficult situations, adapt to change, and facilitate the development of self and others.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Research & Thought Leadership
- Ensure AFR generates and leverages high-quality evidence to shape strategy, influence policy, and position the organisation as a recognised thought leader
- Strategy & Programme Design
- Drive strategic alignment and innovation in AFR’s programme portfolio, ensuring interventions are coherent, scalable, and responsive to emerging opportunities and risks.
- Development Impact & Learning
- Secure the effectiveness and impact of AFR’s interventions through strong theories of change, systematic learning, and adaptive management.
- Communications, Influencing & Capacity Building
- Maximise AFR’s influence and visibility in collaboration with the Head of Communications & Market Engagement and by strengthening the capacity of partners and staff to design and deliver high-quality, innovative programmes.
- Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships
- As a member of the EMT, share responsibility for AFR's financial sustainability; lead high-quality proposal development and build strategic partnerships that diversify and align funding.
- Departmental Leadership & Resource Management
- Lead the Strategy Department as a high-performing unit, ensuring people and resources are deployed effectively to deliver AFR’s strategic goals.
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university; postgraduate qualification in international development, economics, public policy, or related field preferred.
- Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), economics, finance, development studies, public policy, or a related field
- Strong academic grounding in strategy, finance, and development economics is highly desirable
- Additional certifications in financial inclusion, impact investing, fintech, or strategy are an advantage.
- Excellent written and spoken English required; French or Kinyarwanda an advantage.
Job Location
Rwanda
Apply To
- All interested qualified applicants should submit their applications at recruitment@hcsolutions.rw not later than 16th January 2025, 5.00pm CAT.
- The application should contain a Resume with an e-mail address, daytime telephone contact, qualifications, achievements, experience, and names & addresses of three professional referees, together with a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) summarizing why you consider yourself particularly well suited for the position. Do not attach any other documents at this point. All applications will be selected on merit and only short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews.
- Key Notes:
- This position is open to Rwandan national candidates only.
- Interested & qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.