Digital Solutions Manager

About TechnoServe:

At TechnoServe, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life. For over 50 years, we have given smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs the skills, connections, and confidence to lift themselves out of poverty. We leverage the power of markets and the private sector to create sustainable economic growth to benefit people and the planet. Our unique mix of business solutions, deep knowledge of local contexts, and data-driven insights is helping to fight poverty across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

TechnoServe staff are local–95% are from the countries in which they work. We put a high premium on collaboration and entrepreneurship. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. And we focus on delivering lasting impact for our mission.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of IT, the Digital Solutions Manager manages an internal business unit called TNS Labs. TNS Labs is responsible for building and maintaining the internal infrastructure that supports software and AI systems, driving technological innovation across TechnoServe’s priority sectors. The Digital Solutions Manager is responsible for scaling the organization’s impact by identifying, developing, and implementing high-potential technologies in partnership with field programs, global teams, and external tech partners. This is a hands-on management role that combines product vision, agile execution, and cross-functional collaboration.

Program Overview:

TNS Labs is TechnoServe’s innovation engine, tasked with identifying and accelerating technology-based solutions that significantly increase the cost-effectiveness and reach of our programs in agriculture and entrepreneurship. TNS Labs collaborates with internal stakeholders and global tech partners to pilot, validate, and scale solutions that enhance access to knowledge, markets, and finance for smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

TNS Labs Management

Work alongside the Director of IT to implement TNS Labs’ roadmap to scale proven and promising technologies. Identify key technological interventions to transform cost structures and enhance program effectiveness in agriculture and entrepreneurship. In partnership with the Director of IT, oversee the full lifecycle of technology initiatives from concept to scaled implementation across multiple regions. Help guide the selection, design, and execution of high-impact pilot projects with a “test, learn, iterate” mindset. Support the digitization of training programs, remote learning tools, and data-driven applications for sectors such as high margin agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Collaborate with the Director of IT to support business development efforts through proposal writing, donor engagement, and presentation of technology solutions to funders. Document and disseminate learnings, best practices, and case studies across TechnoServe’s global network. Develop resources and learning platforms to build internal capacity for technology implementation. Assist in the assessment of third-party solution providers; this may include developing RFQ criteria for outsourced solution development Manage a small team of software / engineering staff belonging to TNS labs Mentor staff and coach local TechnoServe teams in field offices on best practices for program management and engineering Create detailed technology solution plans, including user story development.

Technical Support

Provide technical support oversight of project implementation, including timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Design, build, and maintain scalable full stack applications (frontend, backend, APIs, databases) that integrate AI/ML capabilities into production products for TechnoServe practice areas. Build and deploy machine learning models using Python/R/Java/C++ and AI frameworks Own end-to-end feature delivery, from technical design and architecture through implementation, testing, deployment, and monitoring Conduct security assessments and code-hardening efforts to strengthen the organization’s security posture including identity and access management, service accounts, API keys, secrets, environment separation, and least-privilege access. Build and maintain RESTful/GraphQL APIs and microservices that expose ML model outputs to internal and external consumers Monitor model performance in production, implement logging/observability, and drive continuous improvement (A/B testing, model retraining, drift detection) Integrate large language models (LLMs) and other AI services (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source models) into application workflows, including prompt design, RAG pipelines, and agentic tooling Establish agile development practices and ensure quality assurance in collaboration with product, engineering, and field teams.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree + 7 years of experience, or Master's degree + 5 years experience Experience with deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow/PyTorch/Keras Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), containerization/orchestration and building secure production applications Strong understanding of core AI domains, neural networks, computer vision, natural language processing Expertise in agile methodologies, product design, and implementation in low-resource settings. Fluency in written and spoken English

Preferred Qualifications

Proficiency in French is highly desirable. Demonstrated success in leading and scaling digital initiatives, preferably in international development or emerging markets. Experience in managing cross-functional, geographically distributed teams. Prior work experience in Africa, Latin America, or South Asia.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead in dynamic, cross-cultural environments. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Passion for using technology to create social impact. Strong alignment with TechnoServe’s mission and entrepreneurial approach.

Travel: Travel up to 10 %

Supervisory Responsibilities: TNS Labs Staff

Candidates must have valid, unrestricted work authorization in Rwanda. TechnoServe will not provide sponsorship for this position. The hired candidate will be issued a local contract, and paid in local currency. The salary range for this position is 3,286,237 RWF – 4,012,500 RWF Gross per month. Final compensation within the range will be determined by candidate qualifications, experience, and internal pay equity. If candidates are located within a commutable distance to a TechnoServe office, they may be expected to follow the office's hybrid schedule.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.

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