Community Engagement Officer

About Rungano-Ndota Initiative (RNI)

Ngira nkugire, Mfasha ngufashe
Rungano-Ndota Initiative (RNI) is a Rwandan youth organisation based in Ruhango District, Southern Province. We build communities of trust where young people aged 16–26 from the poorest households break out of poverty and become entrepreneurs and leaders. They are proof for the next generation, and for the world, that it can be done. Rungano-Ndota means “a dream generation”, and that is what our youth are becoming.
RNI was founded by nine young leaders from Ruhango District and officially began its work there in 2017. Led by young Rwandans who know poverty and hardship from their own lives, RNI is shaped by a simple idea: trust and belonging come first, then self-leadership, then capital. Youth join RNI from local government lists of the poorest households, on need alone, with no screening. They include young single mothers, youth returning from rehabilitation and youth with disabilities.
Each young person walks a two-year Core Program journey and then joins Inyenyeri , RNI's lifelong community of graduates who give back. The journey rests on four foundations: Personal Wellness, Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship Development and Ecosystem Connection.
In 10 years, 550 youth have walked this journey with RNI. RNI's data shows:
427  businesses created by our first 450 youth, with 143 full-time and 218 part-time jobs for others
82%  of graduates are elected leaders in their communities, up from 9% before joining
0  further unplanned pregnancies among the 98 young single mothers in the program over the past five years
44 of 45  youth returning from rehabilitation have not gone back

In 2026, RNI walks alongside 300 youth in the Core Program and 250 Inyenyeri members .

Our principles
Trust · Patience · Youth in the driver's seat · Communal role modelling · Co-creation · Holistic & experiential learning

Join us. At RNI, you won't just fill a post. You'll walk alongside young people that others wrote off as they become the people their communities count on.

Learn morewww.runganondota.org

Job Description

Community Engagement Officer

Position Title

Based in
Kigali Office
Supervised by
Grants and Communications Manager

The Community Engagement Officer will be based in Kigali Office and will operate under the supervision of the Grants and Communications Manager.

About Twese for Rungano

Twese for Rungano (“all of us for Rungano”) is RNI's network of Rwandan supporters and volunteers. They are professionals, businesspeople, leaders and friends of RNI who give their time, skills, networks and resources to support RNI and help young people succeed.

Members of Twese for Rungano:

• speak at and support Business Idea Generation (BIG) Days, the Business Bootcamp and Rungano Days

• network with youth and open doors to business, jobs and opportunities

• join RNI's major events, including the Inkera y'Urungano business expo, the Leadership Exchange and graduation

• support youth through giving, for example by funding internships for trade school graduates

• support RNI through donations, either for general operations or for specific projects

• connect RNI's leaders with funding and visibility opportunities

• build the capacity of RNI staff by sharing their professional skills and experience, for example through training and mentoring

• come together through a WhatsApp community, monthly updates and an annual fundraising event in Kigali

The Community Engagement Officer is the main link between RNI and Twese members. The officer welcomes new members, keeps them informed and involved, and connects their skills to what RNI and its youth need.

• GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL RUNGANO-NDOTA PROGRAM STAFF

• Cultivate constructive engagement within the Rungano-Ndota (RNI) community, fostering positive relationships with youth participants.

• Contribute to the execution of Rungano Program Days, Alumni Forums, RNI Business Bootcamp, Business Idea Generation Day and virtual events in collaboration with Rwanda Youth Partnership, ensuring seamless coordination and facilitation.

• Serve as a mentor/Advisor to individual youth, offering guidance and support, including an annual home visit.

• Actively engage in Monitoring and Evaluation processes, providing valuable insights and feedback to enhance program effectiveness.

• Participate in Staff Development Retreats, and be available for weekend or overnight commitments away from home during the Annual RNI&RYP Leadership Exchange, as required.

• Collaborate with colleagues, offering support through constructive feedback and mutual assistance in fulfilling individual responsibilities.

• SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

Twese member relations

• Serve as the main liaison for all Twese for Rungano members.

• Actively work to recruit new Twese members, and ensure new members have a smooth and welcoming experience.

• Encouraging relationship building within the Twese Community.

• Identifying needs from the staff team and connecting them with Twese members who can help.

Communication and events

• Work with the communications team to develop monthly updates and communications.

• Identify and invite relevant Twese members to relevant Rungano events.

• Work with Rungano-Ndota leadership to plan annual fundraising event in Kigali.