Jean Claude Muhire

Program Director at BRAC Ultra Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI)

Jean Claude Muhire is the Rwanda Program Director at BRAC Ultra Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI). He is responsible for scaling up holistic graduation approaches Jean Claude Muhire is the Rwanda Program Director at BRAC Ultra Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI). He is responsible for scaling up holistic graduation approaches with the Government of Rwanda. For the past 12 years, Jean Claude has worked with various international organizations making a social impact in East Africa. 

Prior to joining BRAC UPGI, JC served as the Rwanda Program Coordinator with the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, a German political party foundation promoting social protection and good governance with government stakeholders, civil society organizations, think tanks, and trade unions.  JC has also held partnership development and government relations roles with different organizations. JC supported the establishment of GiveDirectly’s cash program in Rwanda and managed government relations to secure the government’s buy-in for GiveDirectly’s unconditional cash program to eradicate poverty for poor households in rural areas of Rwanda. 

JC is also an executive networker and a partnership strategist with advisory roles in youth networks such as the Global Health Corps, Global Peace Chain, and the Africa Matters Initiative. Jean Claude is passionate about community development and holds a Master’s in Global Community Development Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

JC is also the CEO and Founder of Open Door Advisors, a government relations and partnership development firm that supports International Organizations and companies to launch their businesses in Rwanda.