VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 

Position: School Principal

Vacant position: 1 person

Type of contract: Fixed term

Working location: Kayonza

Supervisor: National Schools Business Manager / Head of Location

Deadline: 14^th April 2025

Context of the position: 

SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is an independent member association affiliated to the SOS Federation. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda leverages existing community resources to strengthen quality childcare and protection through a holistic continuum of care tailored to orphans, vulnerable children, and their families. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda actively advocates for the promotion of childcare and child protection. In Rwanda, SOS Children’s Villages operate in four locations based in Gasabo, Gicumbi, Kayonza and Nyamagabe Districts. In order to further fulfil the above-mentioned responsibilities, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is seeking for a competent School Principal, for its School based in Kayonza.

Mission of the Position:    

Job Purpose:

The School Principal will provide overall leadership, management and strategic direction to SOS School located in Kayonza, which comprises the Kindergarten, Primary, Lower Secondary, and TVET section. The principal will ensure the effective implementation of the Rwanda education policy while fostering a culture of academic excellence, innovation and holistic child development. The role requires strong knowledge and hands-on experience with TVET operations and regulatory frameworks within Rwanda.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Administration:

• Oversee smooth running of HR and administrative functions of the school.
• Ensure the effective implementation of school’s policies.
• Lead the day-to-day operations across all sections of the school, including academic and non-academic activities.
• Ensure proper coordination with the Director of Studies and provide oversight for the TVET section.

2. Financial & Resource Management:

• Develop and implement the school’s annual budget in collaboration with the school accountant.
• Authorize expenditures and ensure effective resource allocation.
• Implement a fundraising plan to promote financial self-reliance for the school.
• Manage inventories including equipment, learning materials and resources.
• Oversee maintenance and repairs of school infrastructure, coordinating with the Head of Location and Social Business management for major interventions.

3. Staff Management & Development:

• Promote staff welfare, offer guidance and address grievances.
• Oversee staff discipline and performance management, including performance evaluations.
• Identify capacity-building opportunities, especially for strengthening TVET program delivery and other deliveries.

4. Student Welfare & Discipline:

• Ensure the provision of a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.
• Address disciplinary matters.
• Promote student guidance, counselling and career development services.

5. Academic Oversight:

• Supervise curriculum implementation, ensuring compliance with national and SOS CV standards.
• Oversee the preparation and timely delivery of school reports, schemes of work and student assessments.
• Prepare and issue student references, testimonials and transcripts.
• Ensure quality assurance and continuous improvement of all academic programs, with emphasis on TVET.

6. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster strong engagement with parents and guardians.
• Organize parent-teacher meetings (PTA), open days and reporting sessions.
• Ensure clear and timely communication through information circulars and parent interviews.

7. Reporting:

• Prepare and submit accurate reports to the Operations and Social Business department and the Head of Location and other partners as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Educational Management, or a related bachelor’s degree with a relevant qualification in Technical and Vocational field in Plumbing, Welding & Metal Fabrication, Carpentry & Joinery, Fashion Design & Tailoring (Master’s degree will be an added advantage) with 3 years of progressive leadership experience in a multi-level school environment (Secondary, and/or TVET).

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Proven expertise and understanding of TVET operations and regulations in Rwanda.
• Experience in developing and managing school budgets.
• Strong knowledge of Rwanda Education Board (REB) and National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) guidelines.
• Experience with child safeguarding and promoting student welfare.
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.

• Capacity to manage multi-disciplinary teams.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Commitment to child-centred education and safeguarding principles.
• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda (French is an added advantage).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and school management systems.

How to apply

The interested Candidates in this position should send a detailed Curriculum Vitae with three (3) traceable professional references, application letter, academic certificates/degrees to sos.recruitment@sos-rwanda.org and properly fill the application form found via the following  LINK  by not later than 14^th April, 2025 at 5:00 pm Kigali time.

Please mention in the subject of your email “School Principal”.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda/ International holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes”. 

Done in Kigali on 02^nd April 2025.

Jean Bosco Kwizera

National Director