Director of Operations Job in Kigali – Microfinance Executive (Local Applicants), VisionFund Rwanda

🌟 Director of Operations, VisionFund Rwanda

Role Focus: Strategic Business Growth, Operational Excellence, and Social Impact Leadership Location: Kigali, Rwanda Contract Type: Full-time Application Deadline: January 2, 2026

VisionFund Rwanda (VFR), a mission-driven microfinance institution and part of the global World Vision network, is committed to helping vulnerable children and their caregivers achieve fullness of life through financial and livelihood solutions. We are searching for an experienced and results-oriented Director of Operations to lead our network growth and ensure we achieve both profitability and profound social impact.

🎯 Role Purpose: Driving Profitability and Client Impact

The Director of Operations (DO) is a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) member responsible for providing strategic direction to VFR’s entire business operations network. The DO oversees all aspects of branch performance, loan portfolio quality, efficiency standards, and product development, ensuring sustainable growth and adherence to VFR’s mission and Christian values.

✅ Key Executive Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning & Performance Management

• Business Planning: In collaboration with the CEO and CFO, lead the preparation of the Annual Business Plan, setting growth, social impact, and efficiency targets across all branches and products.

• Operational Monitoring: Closely monitor the implementation of the Business Plan, using compelling dashboards and reports to track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and drive timely strategic interventions for low-performing branches or products.

• Change Leadership: Demonstrate a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans while effectively managing organizational change to foster operational excellence.

2. Credit Risk Management & Control

• Portfolio Quality: Drive the strategic growth of the MFI while maintaining a high-quality loan portfolio and minimizing client turnover.

• Internal Controls: Oversee the implementation and consistent application of internal control systems across all branches, safeguarding institutional assets.

• Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with all MFI/VFI policies, the risk appetite statement, local regulations, and VFI/Lender covenants, actively identifying and mitigating all operational risks.

3. Social Performance & Integration

• Target Clientele: Ensure the MFI effectively reaches its target clients (poor, women with dependent children, ADP areas) while maintaining institutional sustainability.

• Client Protection: Actively implement and champion Client Protection Policies, ensuring clients are treated with respect, protected from over-indebtedness, and have active complaint mechanisms.

• Child Well-being (CWB): Actively promote CWB by ensuring the accurate gathering and reporting of child-impacted figures and driving seamless integration opportunities with World Vision (WV) and its Area Development Programs (ADPs).

4. Market & Product Development

• Market Research: Direct market research and analysis to identify new product and service areas, continually assessing VFR’s strategic position against the industry.

• Product Launch: Lead the review, pilot testing, and planning for the implementation of new products/methodologies to improve field operations and better meet client needs.

• Public Relations: Cultivate strong relationships with clients, community leaders, and local organizations to promote goodwill and generate new business, safeguarding the institution’s reputation.

5. Staffing, Capacity Building & Leadership

• Lead the performance management cycle for Operations Department and Branch Managers (annual appraisals, mid-term reviews).

• Conduct regular skills analyses, develop capacity building plans, and guide succession planning to ensure the Operations team is effective, productive, and compliant.

🔑 Required Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

• Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Senior Management Experience: 7 to 10 years of senior management experience in similar operations roles within microfinance institutions (MFIs).

• Sector Experience: Significant experience managing groups of branch managers and commercial-related roles in financial services for low-income segments.

• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in growing operations, managing operational costs, and effectively turning around operational results and/or portfolio quality crises.

• Residency: Local Applicants Only accepted.

Essential Skills and Capabilities

• • Demonstrated knowledge of developing credit policy and commercial strategies based on risk management data.

  • Familiarity with Client Protection Principles and Universal Standards for Social and Environmental Performance Management (USSEPM).

  • Strong skills in managing performance based on metrics to drive operational excellence.

🔑 How to Apply

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