Director of Programs & Operations

About The Organization

The School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) is an Afghan-led boarding school dedicated to educating Afghan girls, and is the first and only institution of its kind.

SOLA evacuated Afghanistan upon the Taliban’s return in 2021, resuming operations in Rwanda where we continue our mission to provide our students with a rigorous education that promotes critical thinking, a sense of purpose, and respect for self and others.

First in Afghanistan and now in Rwanda, SOLA is a place where Afghan girls grow to become compassionate, curious, confident women. SOLA’s vision is for them to become members of the generation who will one day lead a peaceful and united Afghanistan.

In March 2024, SOLA launched SOLAx, a WhatsApp-based education platform meticulously designed to deliver the Afghan curriculum, including ESL and other courses. SOLAx is accessible to every Afghan girl on Earth and available in the English, Dari, and Pashto languages.

Position Summary

The Director of Programs & Operations is a full-time, remote role working EST hours.

The SOLAx Director of Programs & Operations serves as a strategic partner to the Co-Founder and leads the execution of SOLAx's highest-priority initiatives. Acting as the primary integrator across programs, operations, technology, learner support, outreach, and impact measurement, this role ensures that organizational priorities are translated into action and results.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, mission-driven leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, can manage complex projects, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and build systems that support growth, quality, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Partner with the Co-Founder to advance SOLAx's strategic priorities and organizational goals.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional initiatives across teams, vendors, and external partners.
• Develop systems, processes, and reporting structures that improve organizational effectiveness and accountability.
• Monitor progress against organizational goals and ensure timely execution of key initiatives.
• Manage special projects and emerging priorities as organizational needs evolve.

Programs & Learner Growth

• Work closely with the Curriculum Team to ensure courses remain current, relevant, and responsive to learner needs.
• Support Outreach and Communications teams to increase learner enrollment, engagement, and completion.
• Monitor learner growth and engagement metrics and identify opportunities to expand reach and impact.

Technology & Product Operations

• Lead operational coordination of SOLAx's transition to a new technology platform and infrastructure.
• Manage relationships with technology vendors and implementation partners.
• Partner with technology vendors and the Curriculum Team to improve the learner experience, strengthen platform capabilities, and ensure technology supports educational goals.
• Coordinate ongoing product enhancements based on learner needs and organizational priorities.

Volunteer Helpdesk Program

• Design, launch, and oversee SOLAx's volunteer learner support program.
• Lead volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, and deployment.
• Establish systems and processes that ensure high-quality learner support and volunteer engagement.

Learning Outcomes, Impact & Accreditation

• Work closely with the Curriculum Team and technology vendors to design and implement learner assessments and systems for measuring learning outcomes.
• Partner with technology vendors to develop systems and dashboards that track learner engagement, course completion, and educational impact.
• Prepare impact reports and insights for leadership, donors, and partners.
• Lead efforts to position SOLAx for accreditation by coordinating research, documentation, policies, and quality assurance processes.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with the Development and Communications teams to prepare donor reports, impact updates, support grant reporting efforts, and other external communications.
• Work with the Co-Founder to prepare materials for board meetings, strategic reviews, and organizational reporting.
• Ensure accurate collection, analysis, and presentation of program and learner data.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and support the Operations Associate.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and effective communication across teams and partners.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 4–7 years of experience in program management, operations, education, nonprofit leadership, international development, consulting, or a related field.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience coordinating complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Preferred

• Experience in education, EdTech, international development, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience working with digital learning programs or online education initiatives.
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, learning, or impact measurement.
• Experience managing vendors, consultants, or external partners.
• Familiarity with accreditation, educational quality standards, or quality assurance processes.
• Experience recruiting, training, or managing volunteers.

Why Join SOLA?

This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role in expanding access to education for learners who need it most. As SOLAx’s Director of Programs & Operations, you will work closely with the Co-Founder of SOLAx to strengthen programs, improve learner outcomes, build operational excellence, and help shape the future of accessible education for tens of thousands of learners around the world.

What SOLA Offers You

• A competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Salary Range: $85,000–$95,000
• Flexible working location and hours.
• The opportunity to be part of a mission that can change the world.
• An open and flexible work culture where your voice will be heard and where you can have a big impact.

Physical Effort And Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Regular attendance is required for this position.

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; car usage and ability to drive required.

Posture: Frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension, and overhead reaching; potentially frequent driving may occur.

Environment: Standard office setting, occasional prolonged hours; travel locally and internationally as per the needs of the organization.

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; prioritize work to meet deadlines, have a calm demeanor, and work cooperatively with others.

The School of Leadership Afghanistan, Inc., as an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression or any other basis protected by law in any employment decisions.