Capacity Strengthening Specialist, LEAP Center

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Kigali, Rwanda

Description

Job Title: Capacity Strengthening Specialist

Reports to: Cluster Lead, Capacity Strengthening

Department: LEAP Center

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Position overview

The Capacity Strengthening Specialist is a key member of the LEAP Centre’s Capacity Strengthening Cluster and will play a pivotal role supporting the Centre’s mission to demonstrate innovations in health care delivery, strengthen capacity through training and collaboration, and share insights to inform policy and scale successful solutions. 

The LEAP Centre (Centre for Leveraging Equity and Advancement in Practice) is a new initiative of the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) that brings together expertise in implementation of science, technology, capacity strengthening, and advocacy. The Centre partners with frontline implementer teams working within public health systems to embed, validate, and disseminate innovations that improve service delivery and expand access to quality health care in underserved settings. In its initial phase, the LEAP Centre is focused on supporting high-priority initiatives across Partners In Health Care Delivery sites.

The Capacity Strengthening Cluster within the LEAP Centre leverages innovation in care delivery as an opportunity to build skills and advance the professional development of frontline implementer teams, while creating structured opportunities for students and University-based researchers to engage with innovative, frontline implementation work. Working closely with the Cluster Lead, the Specialist will support the design and implementation of skills building workshops, communities of practice, fellowships, and system-strengthening initiatives. This role requires a strategic thinker and skilled practitioner who can translate priorities into impactful learning experiences and resource systems that drive measurable outcomes.

The Specialist will collaborate with diverse partners across UGHE, PIH sites, and external academic and implementation networks, including close collaboration with the Peru-based Center for Global Health, and with the Centre for Leadership in Global Health Equity at UGHE. Responsibilities include curriculum development, mentorship coordination, fellowship placements, resource management, and monitoring and evaluation. The Specialist will help cultivate a dynamic learning ecosystem that promotes equity-centered practice, continuous knowledge-sharing, and professional growth.

Responsibilities

Capacity Strengthening (35%)

• In collaboration with Cluster Leads, organize periodic capacity‑strengthening readiness assessments to identify the skills, competencies, and organizational capabilities required to strengthen the implementation of LEAP Centre–supported projects.
• Collaborate closely with partners and LEAP Centre clusters to plan and co‑facilitate LEAP’s standardized and ad hoc training offerings as part of the LEAP Centre’s package of project support.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize training evaluation data, integrating learner feedback and performance outcomes to inform continuous quality improvement of capacity‑building offerings.
• Coordinate and co‑facilitate workshops and develop practical tools that strengthen participants’ applied skills and support the creation and dissemination of knowledge products, including case studies, white papers, op‑eds, and technical reports.
• Facilitate workshops on adult‑learning techniques for the LEAP Cluster team and collaborators to enhance the quality and effectiveness of training delivery.

Faculty and Student Engagement (25%)

• Coordinate a portfolio of initiatives – including educational seminars, fellowships and applied learning opportunities - designed to engage UGHE students and faculty in LEAP Centre projects and collaborations. 
• Collaborate with LEAP Cluster leads, UGHE faculty, and PIH Clinical and Programmatic leads to design and maintain a streamlined platform and process that support student engagement, including internships, practicums, capstones, research projects, and other experiential learning opportunities at PIH-supported sites.
• Maintain updated student placement logs and match students and fellows to priority implementation projects.
• Support the scheduling and coordination of mentorship sessions, immersion visits, and learning reflection activities.

Community of Practice & Mentorship (20%)

• Coordinate calendars, communications, and materials for LEAP communities of practice and mentorship circles.
• Track participation, document thematic learnings, and prepare summary notes or discussion briefs.
• Support recruitment and engagement of facilitators, mentors, and contributors.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening alignment across LEAP clusters, UGHE centres and departments, and PIH site partners.

Dissemination & Resource Management (20%)

• In collaboration with other PIH and UGHE teams, document best practices through case studies and other learning products.
• Support planning and execution of LEAP webinars, virtual exchanges, and annual in-person learning exchanges for students.
• Assist with drafting communications materials, event invitations, and session summaries.
• Support production of learning briefs, teaching curricula, and stories of change.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in public health, education, social sciences, global health, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting program coordination, research, training, or implementation.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Prior experience with adult learning techniques and curriculum design
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong attention to detail.
• Comfort with collaborative digital platforms (Google Suite, Zoom, Miro, Canvas, etc.).
• Commitment to social justice and global health equity.

Preferred

• Experience supporting training programs, capacity building, or professional development initiatives.
• Experience working with universities, NGOs, ministries of health, or health systems programs.
• Experience designing or supporting hybrid or virtual learning environments.

 Benefits of Working at UGHE

At the University of Global Health Equity, we invest in your well-being and professional growth from day one. Below is a range of our benefits;

• Medical Insurance (employee and legal dependents)
• Life Insurance (employee only)
• 13th Month pay cheque
• 23 vacation days
• Communications allowance including home internet
• Employee wellness program (Gym membership for employees only)
• Subsidized meal plan while in Butaro
• Shared housing while in Butaro
• Relocation allowance for employee and their legal dependents (where applicable)
• Work permit fees and processing (employee and dependents)
• Leave flights back home for employee and legal dependents (where applicable)
• Professional development opportunities to help you advance your career

Choose UGHE for a benefits package designed to empower you-personally and professionally-so you can focus on what matters most: making a global impact in health equity.

At UGHE, you will collaborate with a diverse team sourced from different corners of the world-gaining fresh perspectives, expanding your professional network, and accelerating both your personal and career growth through cross-cultural learning and diverse expertise.

How To apply

Applicants should provide: (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter, (3) names and contact information of three professional references who can attest to work experience, and (4) copies of all degrees earned. Please upload your cover letter and copies of degrees as a single PDF file under "Additional Files" on the application page of Capacity Strengthening Specialist.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. The UGHE Center for Equity in Global Surgery (CEGS) is focused on contributing solutions to the imbalance in surgical access through five key pillars- Fellowship, Education and Training, Global Convenings, Research and Innovation, and Policy and Advocacy. In partnership with several global surgery organizations, the Center provides support for both undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development in the surgical sciences, clinical and community-based research across sub-Saharan Africa, and support for regional surgical, obstetrics, and anesthesia plans.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

 At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.