The Smart Africa Alliance is recruiting a SAMA Gender and Inclusion Project Manager to lead gender integration within its flagship Smart Africa Markets for All (SAMA) programme. This full-time role is based in Kigali and offers a unique opportunity to drive inclusive digital transformation across multiple African countries. The application deadline is 12 April 2026 (11:00 PM GMT+2). About Smart Africa Smart Africa is a multilateral alliance of African governments, international organisations, and private sector partners working to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. Established in 2014, it aims to build a single digital market across Africa by 2030, leveraging ICT to drive socio-economic development, innovation, and inclusive growth. About the SAMA Programme The Smart Africa Markets for All (SAMA) programme is a four-year initiative (2026–2029) supported by the Mastercard Foundation. It aims to create 35,584 work opportunities for youth across: Kenya Rwanda Uganda Ghana Benin Zambia With a strong focus on inclusion, 70% of beneficiaries are targeted to be women, particularly young women in informal trade. The programme focuses on three strategic pillars: Entrepreneurship & Digital Innovation Youth Digital Skills Development Institutional Capacity Building & Policy Reform Role Overview The SAMA Gender and Inclusion Project Manager will ensure that gender equality and inclusion are fully integrated across all programme components. The role involves working closely with programme teams, partners, and stakeholders to align implementation with donor requirements and inclusion targets. Key Responsibilities Gender Strategy and Integration Lead development and execution of the SAMA Gender and Inclusion Strategy Integrate gender equality across all programme interventions Provide technical guidance for gender-responsive programme design Ensure compliance with donor gender commitments Gender Mainstreaming Across Pillars Promote women-led innovation and entrepreneurship Ensure equitable participation in digital skills programmes Support inclusive policy development within the digital economy Advocate for accessibility for persons with disabilities and marginalized groups Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Develop gender-responsive M&E frameworks Ensure collection of sex-disaggregated and inclusion-sensitive data Track progress toward inclusion targets Produce gender analysis and performance reports Capacity Building Train staff and partners on gender mainstreaming Develop toolkits and operational frameworks Support implementation of inclusive programme approaches Partnerships and Advocacy Build partnerships with gender and inclusion organisations Represent Smart Africa in regional and global forums Promote inclusive digital transformation policies Additional Responsibilities Manage consultants and gender-related deliverables Support communication of impact stories Contribute to programme coordination and reporting Candidate Profile Education Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Policy, ICT Policy, or related fields Experience Minimum 8 years in gender mainstreaming or women’s economic empowerment Proven experience in African development contexts Experience managing donor-funded programmes (e.g., World Bank, EU, AfDB) Strong background in project management and monitoring & evaluation Experience in digital economy or ICT programmes is an advantage Technical Competencies Ability to link gender inclusion with digital transformation and youth employment Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Experience with gender frameworks and data-driven programming Attributes High professionalism, integrity, and ethical standards Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills Cross-cultural awareness and emotional intelligence Ability to manage complex, multi-country programmes Language Requirements Fluency in English (required) French is an added advantage Contract Details Contract Type: Full-time employment Duration: Initial 1 year (renewable up to 3 years) Location: Kigali, Rwanda Application Process Candidates must submit the following to hr@smartafrica.org with the subject line:“SAMA Gender and Inclusion Project Manager” Required documents: Detailed CV (English or French) Cover letter outlining suitability Academic and professional certificates Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates and applicants from across Africa are strongly encouraged to apply. Career Impact This role offers a strategic leadership opportunity to shape inclusive digital economies across Africa. The successful candidate will influence policy, empower youth—especially women—and contribute to large-scale transformation aligned with continental and global development goals. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization seeking for a manager. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.