Technology For Development Specialist

UNICEF works globally to promote and protect the rights of every child. Through its equity-focused approach, UNICEF prioritizes the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, learn, and reach their full potential.

In Rwanda, UNICEF partners with the Government to strengthen equitable and high-quality education through digital innovation, foundational learning, teacher development, and evidence-based decision-making. Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2024–2029) emphasizes stronger foundational learning outcomes, expanded ICT integration, and improved school connectivity systems to support inclusive education transformation.

The Technology for Development Specialist (National UN Volunteer – Specialist) will be based in Kigali and will support UNICEF Rwanda’s education and digital transformation agenda. The role focuses on school connectivity, EdTech innovation, digital learning systems, teacher support, and implementation of practical technology solutions for underserved schools.

Key Responsibilities

1. School Connectivity & Digital Systems Support

• Support school connectivity initiatives and real-time monitoring of internet connectivity in schools.
• Serve as UNICEF Rwanda’s technical focal point for follow-up on school connectivity monitoring and Giga-related systems.
• Coordinate with the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), and partners on validation and updating of school connectivity data.
• Support data cleaning, verification, and updating of school profiles on digital mapping and monitoring platforms.

2. EdTech Programme Design & Implementation

• Support development and implementation of EdTech programme concepts, budgets, and technical inputs.
• Contribute to practical use of low-cost digital learning tools for literacy and numeracy in primary schools.
• Review digital learning applications and tools for curriculum alignment, usability, inclusion, safeguarding, and scalability.
• Support preparation, testing, deployment, and management of digital devices and learning equipment.

3. Teacher Support & Classroom Integration

• Support teacher orientation and training on integration of digital tools in classroom learning.
• Develop user-friendly guidance materials and classroom support tools for teachers.
• Conduct school visits to monitor use of EdTech tools, identify implementation challenges, and recommend improvements.
• Promote teacher-centred use of technology to strengthen learning outcomes.

4. Coordination, Monitoring & Knowledge Management

• Support district and school-level coordination to ensure safe, inclusive, and effective use of technology.
• Monitor implementation risks related to device usage, safeguarding, storage, and accessibility.
• Contribute to monitoring tools, reporting systems, evidence generation, and documentation of lessons learned and best practices.
• Prepare reports, presentations, briefs, concept notes, and partner updates.

5. Partnerships & Innovation

• Support collaboration with public and private sector partners involved in school connectivity and EdTech innovation.
• Contribute to learning events, technical meetings, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Help position UNICEF Rwanda’s EdTech initiatives as scalable and evidence-driven solutions supporting national education priorities.

Profile Required

Experience

Minimum 3 years relevant experience, including:

• Supporting technology-enabled programmes in schools or public service settings
• Designing or implementing digital tools suitable for low-resource or low-connectivity environments
• Working with government systems or institutions in education, ICT, data systems, or service delivery
• Knowledge of Rwanda’s education and digital policy environment
• Experience in training, coaching, monitoring, and partner coordination
• Strong analytical, organizational, and reporting skills
• Familiarity with EdTech platforms, digital content curation, and device deployment is an asset
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and collaborative environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.

Languages

• Fluent English
• Working knowledge of Kinyarwanda is desirable
• Fair knowledge of French is desirable

Volunteer Living Allowance:

UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations. These allowances are not intended as compensation, reward, or salary for the volunteer's service.

Check out our Entitlement Calculator on UVP, the Unified Volunteer Platform.

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