Head, Finance & Administration

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Travel Expectation: Up to 10%

Job Type: Full-time, 3-year contract

Reports to: Managing Director

About the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) is a partnership between the Government of Rwanda and the World Economic Forum committed to advancing the responsible and inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to accelerate Rwanda's national development priorities.

As part of the World Economic Forums global network of over 20 centers, C4IR serves as a public private collaboration platform that shapes policy, fosters innovation, and builds strategic partnerships with national and international stakeholders to ensure that technology benefits all of society.

About the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub

The Rwanda AI Scaling Hub (the Hub) aims to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate national development outcomes safely and sustainably delivering evidence-based impact that deepens regional knowledge and shapes global benchmarks for inclusive, context-responsive innovation.

As a multi-stakeholder platform, the Hub enables the scaling of AI solutions that address Rwanda's development priorities, ensuring safety, sustainability, and public ownership while catalyzing investment and building an inclusive ecosystem that drives innovation across Africa and beyond.

Description

The Head, Finance & Administration will oversee the Centers financial management, grant management, audit, and compliance. This role ensures that financial and administrative systems are robust, compliant, and aligned with regulatory and funder requirements. The position provides strategic leadership on financial planning, resource allocation, and organizational efficiency, supporting the Centre and the AI Scaling Hubs operational sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Planning

• Oversee financial management of the Centre aligned with strategic goals
• Monitor expenditures against approved operational and grant budgets and proactively manage financial risks.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations, company policies, and funder reporting requirements.
• Manage resource allocation, cost recovery, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Supervise finance officers and strengthen internal capacity.
• Prepare financial reports and analyses to support decision-making and accountability.
• Support fundraising and partnership efforts through cost modeling, budget development, and financial due diligence.

Audit

• Oversee an internal audit function to ensure effective internal controls, transparency, and compliance.
• Develop and implement internal audit policies, frameworks, and annual work plans.
• Conduct periodic reviews to assess financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Provide independent insights and recommendations to management and governing bodies to strengthen financial integrity and risk mitigation.
• Oversee external audits and ensure timely submission of reports, addressing any audit findings promptly.

Administration

• Lead the implementation of efficient administrative systems, robust policies and procedures to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Ensure procurement, logistics, and asset management is in compliance with organizational policy, government regulations, and donor requirements.
• Maintain internal control systems to ensure organizational transparency and accountability.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience in financial management and grants administration, preferably within international development or non-profit sectors.
• Professional certification: CPA, ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• Financial leadership: Demonstrated expertise in financial strategy, budgeting, reporting, and grants management, experience working on Gates Foundation grants highly desirable.
• Audit experience: Proven ability to manage internal and external audits, with strong knowledge of control systems and compliance frameworks.
• Analytical and strategic thinking: Strong ability to analyze financial data, manage risks, and advise on resource optimization Collaborative approach: Proven ability to work cross-functionally with program, finance, and operations teams.
• Integrity and accountability: Commitment to ethical leadership, transparency, and sound governance.

Our Values

1. Responsible impact: We take initiative aligned with institutional and personal goals. We solve problems with practicality, efficiency, and rigor. We create opportunities that broaden and maximize impact for our stakeholders.
2. Technical excellence: We think and act innovatively
   We contribute expertise valued by others.
3. Principled collaboration: We believe in empathy and empowerment of self, colleagues and external stakeholders. We establish trust-based relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Effective communication: We engage and communicate effectively with all audiences.