The Program Planning and Operations Lead oversees the strategic planning and execution of programs within a country. This includes managing the annual program calendar, coordinating with stakeholders for budgeting and forecasting, and tracking program implementation and progress. The lead ensures programming excellence by developing guidelines and processes for quality assurance and efficiency. Additionally, the lead leads operational planning activities, facilitates coordination among teams, and drives the delivery of complex initiatives.

In this role, I provided strategic inputs and expertise to design country strategies and manage programs, aligning with the overarching Country roadmap. I supported internal processes to develop strategies and plans while delivering assigned projects and programs, distilling key lessons learned for the country program team. Contributing insights, I identified opportunities to strengthen country programs and leverage innovation for systems interventions. Engaging with various teams, I facilitated the development of strategic partnerships and built relationships with partners and stakeholders at the Country level while also delivering stakeholder engagement sessions as needed.

In this role, I conducted extensive desk research on program strategy, country context analysis, labour markets, private sector, capital flows, and financial and education matters, synthesizing findings for relevant teams and Foundation staff. I reviewed partner publications and delivered briefings as necessary. Additionally, I supported Country and technical teams in Program Management, managing projects and databases for efficient program performance monitoring. I provided administrative assistance to Program Managers, including expense reporting and travel booking, while preparing meeting agendas, taking minutes, and coordinating stakeholder meetings for initiatives like Hanga Ahazaza and Leaders in Teaching. I undertook additional duties as required to facilitate program activities.

In this role, I assisted Senior Program Managers in executing the Hanga Ahazaza and Leaders in Teaching initiatives, ensuring smooth implementation and success. I also supported the scholar's team in coordinating the 2019 Baobab Summit held in Rwanda, contributing to its effective organization and execution. Additionally, I fulfilled any additional responsibilities assigned by line management and colleagues, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to supporting overall program objectives.

The “Nature Rwanda” is a youth led and run national Non-Governmental Organization in Rwanda. NR aims to build communities where human beings live in harmony with nature, coexisting without compromising the wellbeing of future generations. In order to achieve this mission, and to contribute to the advancement of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in Rwanda, our organization has four programs; environmental Facts, Environmental Clubs, environmental Mentorship, and environmental citizenship programs.  Our Mission is to connect young people with nature by promoting environmentally-responsible youth, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Rwanda through empowerment and engagement of informed, responsible and participating citizens.  Our Vision is world where human beings will live in harmony with Nature, coexisting without compromising the wellbeing of future generations. Our target group: 60% of Rwanda’s populations are under 25 years old. Sustainable social transformations have to start with our youth. We can engage our youth by creating a platform for discussion, participation, and implementation of best environmental practices in primary, secondary and higher learning institutions. Communities with fewer economic resources will be at the heart of our actions as the vast majority of environmental decisions and nature resources in Rwanda rest in their hands; they interact with nature daily.

In this role, I managed communications initiatives for the Rwanda country office, overseeing the development of newsletters and communication materials to disseminate key information effectively. I communicated key findings and successes to a broad audience, contributing to improving data collection practices. Additionally, I provided valuable support to program teams throughout the project lifecycle, assisting in event organization, documentation, and knowledge sharing. I also maintained strong connections with regional and country offices, collaborating on programs to support vulnerable children and women.

In this role, I managed a project entitled “Empowering local communities for the conservation and sustainable development of birds and biodiversity of the Lake Victoria Basin, the greatest of Africa’s great lakes,” funded by The Aage V Jensen Charity Foundation (AVJCF) through BirdLife International. My responsibilities included compiling and preparing weekly and monthly activity progress reports and providing timely updates on project advancements and plans to the Donor and other stakeholders. I also organized various study-related events such as workshops, seminars, meetings, conferences, and site supervision trips, specifically tailored for the Lake Victoria Basin project. Maintaining effective communication channels between the Donor, implementing entity, and beneficiaries was crucial, ensuring a seamless and coordinated flow of project activities. Additionally, I demonstrated expertise in product development and mainstreaming, effectively sharing project success stories and informing decision-makers, development partners, and NGOs about the project's achievements.

In this role, I played a pivotal role in advancing organizational goals by developing, supporting, and promoting them through activities such as message development, creating social media content, and conducting media outreach. Engaging in public relations efforts, I effectively interacted with the public and cultivated productive relationships with development partners, key stakeholders, and policymakers. Additionally, I took the lead in researching and identifying new trusts and foundations, establishing and maintaining key contacts for all donor relationships. I authored funding proposals for both new and ongoing projects, collaborating closely with the Executive Director for consultation and input. Furthermore, I fulfilled any additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by line management, ensuring the smooth operation and success of the organization.

In this position as an International volunteer, I successfully coordinated field activities for projects centred on mangrove conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable living in a remote area of Madagascar. Leading awareness-raising campaigns, I actively involved youth in mangrove restoration efforts within the same region. Furthermore, I authored and published project success stories on the WWF International website, effectively showcasing the achievements and impact of the initiatives to a global audience.

In this role, I provided support to projects focused on biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation. This included assisting in various aspects of project implementation, such as data collection, analysis, and reporting. Additionally, I contributed to activities aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change impacts.

Rwandan University Club for Conservation of the Biodiversity (RUCCB) is a youth-led and youth-run association. It was established during late 2007 at the National University of Rwanda where it is based. A non-profit organisation promoting Conservation of Biodiversity.

In my role, I prioritized providing exceptional service to restaurant patrons, ensuring they felt valued and welcomed. I maintained the quality of food by ensuring hot items remained hot and cold items remained cold, adhering to timing standards for both products and services. I actively sought opportunities to streamline service and increase table turnover. Additionally, I confidently presented menus, answered questions, and made recommendations to enhance the dining experience. Overall, I served customers with attentiveness and accommodation, striving to exceed their expectations.