Sports Director at Special Olympics Rwanda : (Deadline 13-08-2026)
SPECIAL OLYMPICS RWANDA (SOR)
JOB ADVERTISEMENT
POSITION: SPORTS DIRECTOR
Organization: SpecialOlympics Rwanda (SOR) Reporting
to: National Director Department: Programs Contract
Type: Full-time Location: Kigali, Rwanda Salary
Range: Competitive Application Deadline: Asindicatedinthe
posting Start Date: As soon as possible
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS RWANDA
Special Olympics Rwanda (SOR) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through the
transformative power of sport. SOR provides year-round sports training and
athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and
adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to
develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate
in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other
Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
POSITION SUMMARY
Special Olympics Rwanda is excited to announce the
recruitment of a highly motivated and skilled individual for the position of
National Sports Director. As the senior technical leader, the National Sports
Director will play a crucial role in the planning, implementation, supervision,
and continuous improvement of all sports programs within our National Program.
It in this regard that the organization is seeking a
passionate, skilled, and experienced person to lead and oversee adaptive sports
development through athlete empowerment, coach education, and competition
management for individuals with intellectual disabilities across Rwanda.
Main Roles and Responsibilities
1. Strategic Sports Leadership
The Sports Director :
- Develops
the National Sports Strategic Plan.
- Designs
the annual sports calendar.
- Aligns
national programs with Special Olympics International (SOI) standards.
- Develops
long-term participation and athlete development strategies.
- Advises
the National Director and Board on technical matters.
- Develop
the Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations with schools, universities,
sports federations, government agencies, NGO’s, community organizations,
international organizations, etc.
- Collaborate
with local sports facilities to ensure accessible venues for athletes with
disabilities.
- Represent
SOR in national disability and sports forums, advocating for inclusive
sport policies.
- Maintain
high levels of customer service to athletes, families, coaches, and
partners.
2. Athlete Development and Adaptive Sports
The Sports Director leads the complete athlete pathway by:
- Expanding
athlete participation nationwide.
- Promoting
year-round training.
- Ensuring
equitable opportunities for women and girls.
- Supporting
athletes with higher support needs.
- Developing
pathways from community participation to national and international
competitions.
- Encouraging
athlete leadership.
- Apply
evidence-based adaptive sports methodologies tailored to athletes with
intellectual disabilities.
3. Sports Training and Competition
The Sports Director is Responsible for:
- National
Games
- Regional
competitions
- Local
competitions
- Unified
Sports competitions
- Invitational
tournaments
- Preparation
for Regional and World Games
He ensures that all competitions comply with Special
Olympics sports rules, including fair divisioning and athlete safety.
4. Coach Education
The Sports Director is responsible for maintaining a
qualified national coaching workforce.
He develops and supervises:
- Coach
recruitment
- Coach
certification
- Continuing
coach education
- Coach
mentoring
- Safe
coaching practices
- Inclusive
coaching methodologies
5. Volunteer Development
The Sports Director develops volunteer training plans and
certification systems.
He coordinates technical volunteers including:
- Coaches
- Assistant
coaches
- Officials
- Competition
managers
- Technical
delegates
- Sports
commissioners
6. Unified Sports
One of the most important responsibilities unique to Special
Olympics.
The Sports Director ensures meaningful participation of
athletes with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates.
He leads the development of:
- Unified
Football
- Unified
Basketball
- Unified
Volleyball
- Unified
Athletics
- Other
Unified Sports disciplines
7. Motor Activity Training Program (MATP)
MATP ensures that athletes with the highest support needs
also benefit from sport.
The Sports Director develops and supervises MATP for
athletes with profound or multiple disabilities.
His responsibilities include:
- Coach
training
- Equipment
standards
- Activity
planning
- Athlete
progression
- Family
engagement
8. Healthy Athletes Program
The Sports Director works closely with the Clinical Director
and Healthy Athletes teams.
He coordinates with health professionals to integrate
Special Olympics health initiatives into sports events, including:
- Health
screenings
- Fitness
promotion
- Nutrition
education
- Vision
- Hearing
- Dental
care
- Mental
well-being
9. Athlete Safety and Safeguarding
The Sports Directorensures:
- Safe
sport policies
- Child
protection
- Safeguarding
procedures
- Risk
management
- Medical
readiness
- Emergency
action plans
- Concussion
and injury protocols
10. Competition Management
The Sports Director isresponsible for:
- Competition
schedules
- Divisioning
- Classification
- Officials
- Rules
interpretation
- Equipment
standards
- Venue
technical inspections
11. Schools and Community Development
The Sports Director expands inclusive sports opportunities
nationwide and develops partnerships with:
- Schools
- Universities
- Clubs
- Community
organizations
- Disability
organizations
- Local
governments
12. Data and Monitoring
The Sports Director prepares annual technical reports and
monitors key performance indicators.
Maintain accurate records of:
- Athletes
- Coaches
- Volunteers
- Competitions
- Sports
participation
- Athlete
progression
- Technical
performance
Academic Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor’s
degree in:
- Physical
Education or a similar field
- Sport
Science or a similar field
- Social
Science
- Medical
/ public health Science or a similar field
- Sport
Management or a similar field
- Exercise
Science or a similar field
- Adapted
Physical Activity
- Rehabilitation
Sciences
- Occupational
Therapy (desirable for inclusive sport)
- Special
Education (advantageous)
Preferred
- Master’s
degree in:
- Sport
Management or a similar field
- Sport
Science or a similar field
- Adapted
Physical Activity
- Disability
Studies or a similar field
- Public
Health or a similar field
- Inclusive
Education or a similar field
- High
Performance Sport or a similar field
Expected Experience
- 3
years and above in sports management or sports technical leadership
- Experience
coaching athletes with intellectual disabilities
- Experience
managing national sports programs
- Competition
management experience
- Volunteer
management experience
- Knowledge
of disability inclusion
- Experience
working with schools, federations, or NGOs
Professional Qualifications
Desirable certifications include:
- Special
Olympics Coach Certification
- Special
Olympics Unified Sports Certification
- Special
Olympics MATP Certification
- Special
Olympics Healthy Athletes orientation
- Safeguarding
and Safe Sport Certification
- First
Aid / CPR
- Sports
Administration Certification
- Project
Management
- Risk
Management
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
All applicants MUST submit the following documents (Scan
and send as a single PDF or ZIP file). Incomplete applications will not be
considered:
- A
detailed Cover Letter (1 page) addressing your motivation and how you meet
each key requirement.
- A
current Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume with full contact details and at
least two professional references.
- Proof
of academic qualifications (certified copies of degree certificate(s) and
transcripts).
- Proof
of experience working with persons with intellectual disabilities: This
must include one or more of the following: (a) a reference/recommendation
letter from a supervisor at an organization serving persons with
intellectual disabilities; (b) an employment certificate or contract from
such an organization; or (c) a portfolio or written summary of activities
conducted, with supporting evidence (photos, reports, sign-in sheets,
etc.).
- Proof
of adaptive sports experience: Certificate(s) of training, coaching
license(s), or a signed reference letter confirming experience in adaptive
or inclusive sports programming.
- Copy
of national ID or valid passport.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit all
required documents (as listed above) in a single PDF or ZIP file to:
Email: sorwandaboard@gmail.com
Deadline for submission: 13th August 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for
interviews. No phone calls, please.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Special Olympics Rwanda is an equal opportunity
organization. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals
regardless of gender, age, disability, or background. Applications from persons
with disabilities are especially welcomed.
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