Director of Programs & Operations

About the Organization

The School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) is an Afghan-led boarding school created to educate Afghan girls, and it is the first and only school of its kind. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, SOLA relocated out of Afghanistan and restarted operations in Rwanda, where it continues its work delivering a rigorous education that builds critical thinking, purpose, and mutual respect. SOLA’s goal is to help Afghan girls grow into compassionate, curious, and confident women who can one day help lead a peaceful and unified Afghanistan.

In March 2024, SOLA introduced SOLAx, a WhatsApp-based learning platform designed to deliver the Afghan curriculum along with ESL and other courses. The platform is available to Afghan girls anywhere in the world and supports English, Dari, and Pashto.

Role Summary

The Director of Programs & Operations is a full-time remote position that works EST hours. In this role, you will act as a strategic partner to the Co-Founder and take ownership of SOLAx’s most important initiatives. You will serve as the main connector across programs, operations, technology, learner support, outreach, and impact measurement, turning organizational priorities into execution and measurable results.

This position calls for a highly organized, mission-oriented leader who can thrive in a fast-moving environment, manage complex workstreams, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and create systems that strengthen growth, quality, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

You will help translate strategy into delivery across core areas of the organization, including program execution, product operations, learner growth, support services, impact tracking, reporting, and team leadership.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Work closely with the Co-Founder to move SOLAx’s strategic priorities and broader goals forward.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving internal teams, external vendors, and partner organizations.
• Create structures, workflows, and reporting tools that improve effectiveness and accountability.
• Track progress against organizational objectives and keep key initiatives moving on schedule.
• Handle special projects and evolving priorities as the organization grows and changes.

Programs and Learner Growth

• Collaborate with the Curriculum Team to keep courses updated, relevant, and aligned with learner needs.
• Support Outreach and Communications efforts to grow enrollment, engagement, and completion rates.
• Review learner growth and engagement data to spot opportunities for broader reach and stronger impact.

Technology and Product Operations

• Coordinate the operational shift to a new technology platform and supporting infrastructure.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with technology vendors and implementation partners.
• Partner with vendors and the Curriculum Team to improve the learner experience, strengthen platform functionality, and ensure technology supports learning goals.
• Oversee product improvements based on learner feedback and organizational priorities.

Volunteer Helpdesk Program

• Build, launch, and manage a volunteer-based learner support program.
• Lead volunteer sourcing, onboarding, training, and assignment.
• Set up systems and processes that maintain strong learner support and positive volunteer engagement.

Learning Outcomes, Impact, and Accreditation

• Work with the Curriculum Team and technology partners to design learner assessments and systems for measuring learning outcomes.
• Help build dashboards and tracking tools for learner engagement, course completion, and educational impact.
• Prepare impact summaries and insights for leadership, donors, and external partners.
• Support SOLAx’s accreditation readiness through research, documentation, policies, and quality assurance work.

Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Development and Communications to create donor updates, impact reports, grant materials, and other external communications.
• Work with the Co-Founder to prepare materials for board meetings, strategy reviews, and organizational reporting.
• Ensure program and learner data is collected, analyzed, and presented accurately.

Team Leadership

• Oversee and support the Operations Associate.
• Build collaboration, accountability, and clear communication across teams and partners.

Qualifications

Strong candidates will have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, along with 4 to 7 years of experience in program management, operations, education, nonprofit leadership, international development, consulting, or a similar area. The role requires strong organizational and project management ability, comfort handling cross-functional work, excellent communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to prioritize effectively in a mission-driven, fast-paced setting.

Preferred Background

Experience in education, EdTech, international development, or nonprofit settings is an advantage, as is exposure to digital learning or online education programs. Additional value is placed on experience with monitoring, evaluation, learning, or impact measurement; managing vendors, consultants, or external partners; understanding accreditation or quality assurance processes; and recruiting, training, or supervising volunteers.

Why This Role Matters

This is a chance to step into a key leadership position and help expand educational access for learners who need it most. As Director of Programs & Operations, you will work directly with the SOLAx Co-Founder to improve programs, strengthen learner outcomes, build operational excellence, and help shape the future of accessible education for learners around the world.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Annual salary range: USD 85,000 to USD 95,000.
• Flexible location and working hours.
• Opportunity to contribute to a mission with global impact.
• Open, adaptable work culture where your perspective is valued and your work can have significant influence.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Regular attendance is required. The role involves use of standard office equipment such as a computer and peripherals, and also requires car use and the ability to drive. Physical activity may include standing, kneeling, squatting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, twisting, repetitive hand movements, walking, grasping, squeezing, wrist flexion and extension, and overhead reaching. Driving may be frequent at times. The work environment is generally a standard office setting, with occasional extended hours and local or international travel as needed by the organization. The role also requires emotional steadiness under pressure, the ability to prioritize to meet deadlines, a calm approach, and cooperative teamwork.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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