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The context:

Across the developing world, more children than ever are in school – but they are not learning. A recent study estimated that less than 1% of school children in Sub-Saharan Africa attend a school where the teaching meets basic standards of quality. At Rising Academies, we’re changing that, and we want your help. Our mission is to create the best schools and the most powerful teaching and learning tools for the people that need it most. We’re one of the fastest-growing quality-focused education companies in Africa, and a Certified B Corp®.

About Rising Academies:

We own and operate our own great value private schools, partner with governments to improve the quality of public school systems, and use our content and technology to help other education providers. Founded in Sierra Leone in 2014, we provided emergency education to children kept out of school by the Ebola Epidemic before opening our first school in April 2015. Today, we serve more than 250,000 students across more than 1000 schools in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and now Rwanda.

Through great curriculum, intensive teacher coaching and actionable data, we help teachers and school leaders bring quality to every classroom. And we get results: independent studies show Rising students make more than twice the progress of their peers in comparable schools. In June 2024, one of our private schools in Sierra Leone - Rising Academy Waterloo - was shortlisted in the Top 10 for the World's Best School Prizes in the Overcoming Adversity category. Sierra Leone's Minister for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Mr. Conrad Sackey, helped announce this honor.

We keep the safety and well-being of our students at the heart of what we do. All Rising employees are expected to abide by the Child Protection Policy, and to share in our commitment to meeting the highest standards of safeguarding excellence and protecting children from harm.

About the LIFT Project in Rwanda:

The Learning and Inclusion for Transformation (LIFT) programme is a Ministry of Education initiative funded by the UK Government through FCDO. The programme aims to improve foundational learning outcomes in English and Mathematics in Rwanda's primary schools. Specifically, LIFT targets adolescents aged 12-17, supporting their reintegration into school or facilitating alternative educational pathways. This includes providing functional literacy and numeracy programs, life skills, and vocational pathways for youth aged 15-18. The first phase of the project covers 7 districts: Gasabo, Kirehe, Gisagara, Rusizi, Karongi, Ngororero, and Gakenke Districts.

Rising Academies has been selected as a specialist resource partner. Rising’s role in LIFT focuses on designing and delivering high-quality literacy and numeracy interventions, directly in Gasabo District and through a cascade model in six others. We are responsible for developing catch-up programs, training local educators, supporting data systems, and ensuring inclusive, sustainable implementation.

About the Role:

We are on the look out for an Operations Associate to join our team in Rwanda. The Operations Associate will play a critical role on the LIFT project to ensure a successful implementation. You will ensure the smooth and efficient daily running of operations to support the LIFT project implementation across the target districts. Your role will include collaborating with both external and internal stakeholders to coordinate logistics, manage operational finances, and support internal communication to keep the project and reporting on track.

The Operations Associate, LIFT, will:

• Coordinate logistics for training, school visits, material distribution, and diagnostic assessments across all 7 districts.
• Support budget tracking, invoice processing, and compliance with procurement procedures.
• Organize venues, printing, materials, and supplies for all training sessions and events, ensuring readiness and quality.
• Facilitate communication with field teams, anchors, and vendors; maintain accurate records of school visits and key partner engagements.
• Keep project files well-organized, update trackers weekly, and ensure timely filing of attendance sheets, financial records, and supporting documentation.
• Provide weekly summaries of field activities, logistical updates, and operational highlights with the Rising project team.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on operational activities, highlighting achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement to Project Manager.
• Lead vendor selection in line with Rising policies, ensuring transparency, value for money, and timely delivery of goods and services.

Location and reporting:

This is a full-time on-site position. The role will be based in Kigali, Rwanda. The Operations Associate will report to the Project Manager for LIFT with dotted reporting to Rising’s Head of Programs, Rwanda.

Application deadline:

The target start date for this role will be August 2025. The application will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Qualifications and Experience:

• At least 2-3 years of experience in an operational, administrative, or logistical role, ideally within an education or development project setting.
• Experience with database management and record-keeping softwares.
• Familiarity with logistics and inventory management systems.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes and vendor management.
• Demonstrated understanding of financial principles and budgeting in project settings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field.

About You:

• You are a strong communicator, able to motivate, challenge, support others, and interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• You set high standards for yourself and others and go the extra mile to get things done.
• You have the ability to learn quickly, are happy to give and receive feedback, and are interested in trying new approaches.
• You are able to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• You are willing to adapt to changing priorities and work environments.
• You have proactive approaches to identifying and addressing operational needs.
• You are able to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and efficient completion.
• You have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in managing records, documentation, and logistics.
• You are able to identify issues, think critically, and implement practical solutions quickly and efficiently.
• You are comfortable working with basic technology and project management tools.

Why Join Us?

• Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. We regularly benchmark our compensation against comparable businesses, social ventures and non-profits. Rising’s goal is to be transparent about salaries at all levels of the organisation and have a standard, global pay scale for all positions that is non-negotiable.
• Continuous Development and Growth: Rising is a Certified B Corp and twice named in its “Best for the World” list. We are committed to continuous development, which is grounded in our values and a vital part of how we bring the ‘Rising Way’ to life. We provide a nurturing environment where our staff are supported with the right ongoing conversations with their managers, among teams and as an organization, to support their career growth and help us reach our goals.
• Impact: Our students achieve learning gains 2.4 times faster than their peers in comparable schools, positioning our impact in the top 10% of global education interventions. This role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this proven success.

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Rising is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, family or parental status, veteran or disability status.

Rising is committed to creating a culture within the organisation, and its schools, that recognises the importance of safeguarding children and prioritising their rights and needs. We strive to uphold international safeguarding standards, and keep the safety and well-being of our students at the heart of what we do. All Rising employees are expected to abide by the Child Protection Policy, and to have the same level of commitment to protect children from harm. Safeguarding questions are part of every interview process and all Rising employees undergo reference checks before joining the organisation.