Project Manager, Rwanda AI Innovation for Schools and Education

Rising Academies

Rising Academies

Software Engineering, Operations, Data Science
Kigali City, Rwanda
Posted on Nov 14, 2024

The context:

Rwanda has made significant strides in education, improving enrollment and access over the past two decades. However, despite these achievements, learning outcomes remain low, with only a portion of students meeting grade-level expectations in literacy and numeracy. Rising Academies launched the Rwanda AI Innovation for Schools (RAISE) project to tackle this challenge, focusing on deploying AI-powered tools to address key educational gaps.

The RAISE initiative builds on Rising’s successful work in foundational literacy and numeracy, aligning with national priorities and partnering closely with the Rwandan Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB). By harnessing AI, the project aims to personalize learning, streamline teacher workloads, and enhance data-driven decision-making across Rwanda’s education system.

About us:

Rising Academies was founded in 2014 with a mission to close learning gaps and deliver high-quality, accessible education to underserved communities. Beginning in Sierra Leone and expanding across Sub-Saharan Africa, Rising has grown into a recognized leader in educational innovation, operating over 900 schools and reaching more than 250,000 students across Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, and Rwanda.

In Rwanda, Rising has already demonstrated significant improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy through initiatives like FasterReading and FasterMath. Recently, Rising entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Rwanda to expand these efforts across public schools, focusing on scalability, sustainability, and alignment with national educational goals. Rising is a Certified B Corp®, committed to creating social impact through a purpose-driven model, and strives to use data-driven insights and partnerships to enhance program outcomes.

About the role:

The Project Manager, RAISE will play a critical role in implementing the Rwanda AI Innovation for Schools initiative. This position involves leading the development and deployment of AI tools that support students, teachers, and administrators, ensuring that each tool is tailored to local needs and contributes meaningfully to learning outcomes. The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating with government partners, overseeing project logistics, and tracking the impact of these tools in selected schools.

The role will also include aligning project activities with the objectives set out by the Rwandan Ministry of Education and REB, ensuring that the RAISE project supports Rwanda’s national goals for foundational learning. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Head of Programs and a dedicated team to meet ambitious goals, delivering a project that has the potential to transform educational practices and outcomes across Rwanda.

The Project Manager, RAISE will:

  • Lead the deployment of Rori AI Tutor, Teacher Support Bot, and Automated Assessment Tool, ensuring effective integration and training in schools.
  • Coordinate with REB, MINEDUC, and other key stakeholders to align project goals with national education priorities.
  • Oversee project logistics and daily operations, ensuring smooth implementation of AI tools.
  • Collect and analyze data from schools to measure impact, using insights to improve tool effectiveness.
  • Manage team performance, providing guidance to meet project milestones and objectives.
  • Build and maintain relationships with education officials through regular communication and engagement.
  • Ensure timely, high-quality reporting to stakeholders, meeting all guidelines from the Rockefeller Foundation.
  • Proactively identify and address project risks to ensure seamless delivery.
  • Supervise procurement and distribution of materials and devices, resolving issues promptly.
  • Oversee project budget, conducting regular reviews to ensure financial accuracy and accountability.

Location and reporting:

This is a full-time position based in Rwanda with occasional travel required to the districts involved in the RAISE project. The Project Manager will report to the Head of Programs and work closely with government stakeholders, the Rising Academies leadership team, and school staff to ensure the successful implementation of AI-powered educational initiatives.

Application deadline:
The deadline for application is November 25, 2024.