Closing date: undisclosed

The Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation (RCSF) was established in late 2011 with the aim of establishing the first dedicated cricket ground for the people of Rwanda. Our partner organisation is the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation (MCCF) and we work closely with the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA).

Cricket first arrived in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide when thousands of previously exiled Rwandans returned home to rebuild their lives. The RCA was formed in 1999, and in 2003 the country became an Affiliate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Cricket is played competitively at international and club level, as well as in orphanages, primary and secondary schools and universities. There is so much cricketing talent and potential in Rwanda, and the RCSF is providing a platform from which it can flourish.

The first cricket ground in Rwanda was created in 2001 on the site of the infamous massacre portrayed in the award-winning film Shooting Dogs. The ground is held on an insecure lease at one of Kigali’s premier colleges, and is constantly under threat from developers. The new RCSF ground will operate an ‘access-for-all’ policy, creating a permanent home for cricket in the country, enabling its development and securing its future.

So far the RCSF have raised in excess of £600,000 towards the construction of the ground. Land has recently been acquired in Kigali and the development of two high-quality cricket grounds, a pavilion, and restaurant and bar facilities will then follow.

The RCSF board consists of a dedicated group of volunteers, most of whom have been visiting Rwanda as part of the UK Conservative Party’s social action programme, Project Umubano, since 2007. Patrons of the charity include Prime Minister David Cameron, Andrew Mitchell MP, Peter Chadlington and cricketers Brian Lara, Jonathan Agnew and Heather Knight.

Key Responsibilities:
The role of RCSF Project Director is hugely challenging, but immensely exciting and rewarding. You will be the only RCSF employee for the time being and will be based in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. You will be responsible for all aspects of the project, with responsibilities including, but not limited to the following:

•     Establishing a construction team, to include project managers, architects, cricket ground experts, engineers and contractors.
•     Overseeing the construction team and represent the RCSF as the “client”, carrying out and communicating the RCSF Board’s wishes.
•     Acting as Legal Representative and Chairman of RCSF Rwanda. Ensure compliance with Rwandan NGO financial,tax and governance regulations.
•     Monitoring compliance by RCSF Rwanda with its obligations under the Funding and Delivery Agreement.
•     Establishing a business plan and maintenance strategy for the ground, including training where there is a lack of relevant skills within Rwanda (e.g. groundsmanship).
•     Working closely with the Rwanda Cricket Association in the development of the ground.
•     Keeping local cricket community updated on project’s progress.
•     Liaising and meet with members of the Rwandan government to obtain support and permissions for various aspects of the project.
•     Responding to approaches from members of the worldwide media.
•     Managing relationships and communications with the Board of Trustees and charity Advisors.
•     Maintaining and updating the RCSF website.
•     Developing and editing communications material for the organisation such as brochures, website material, social media posts, posters, electronic newsletters.
•     Assisting with organisation of charity events in aid of RCSF.
•     Striking sponsorship deals with Rwandan and foreign companies.
•     Working with the Board of Trustees to continue the fundraising programme.
•     Liaising with other charity partners to encourage their involvement with the project.
•     Giving presentation talks to donors and media regarding schedule and progress from Rwanda.
•     Assisting in the recording of financial information and the production of the UK accounts.
•     Processing all invoices, cheque, cash and CAF cheque payments in appropriate systems.
•     Helping ensure compliance with Charity Commission guidelines.
•     Assisting in writing and reviewing the Trustees’ Annual Report to ensure that it contains all required information, while promoting the objectives of the charity.
•     Attend and take minutes at the trustee meetings once every two months.
•     Organising and storing charity documentation.

Skills & Experience Required

•     You will be educated to graduate level or beyond.
•     You will be an articulate, ambitious and personable young professional with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•     You will have the ability to work independently and imaginatively, and also as a part of a team.
•     You will be passionate about sport and the role it can play in healing a broken society; you should be especially fond of cricket.
•     Experience in the sport development or construction/property sectors would be beneficial, although not vital.
•     In previous employment, you will have demonstrated an ability to administer and manage a large project. As Project Director, the success of the project will be down to you.
•     You will be comfortable working with a wide range of people. One day you may be reporting to a head of state or dining with a member of the Rwandan government, the next you may be attempting to glean information from a cattle farmer who speaks no English, or spending time with young cricketers.
•     You will be persistent, thick-skinned and incapable of taking no for an answer.

Apply now