Appointment of Mr. Justice Novati Rutenge as New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) is pleased to announce Mr. Justice Rutenge as FCS’ new Executive Director, following a rigorous, five-month search process.
Mr. Rutenge is a development professional with over 13 years of experience in a wide range of sectors including governance, private sector development, agriculture, health and education. For the last 10 years, Justice has served as the Managing Consultant at iDev Tanzania Ltd and iDev Consulting. He founded these firms to leverage his passion for serving the international development sector with his creative and analytical skills. During this period, he has provided consulting services to a wide range of organizations, including national NGOs, donor agencies, multilateral organizations, global philanthropies, and corporates. He will take a full-time role at FCS, following a nearly 7-year stint as a consultant and advisor supporting FCS in results measurement, program and strategy development, strategic communication, resource mobilization, and other areas.
Mr. Rutenge holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Integrated Community Development from Daystar University, a Master of Science (MSc) in Media, Communication, and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business and Management, with a specialization in Marketing Research, at Strathmore University Business School.
He is a thought leader in development policy and practice. Since 2016, he has contributed over 50 opinion-editorials published in the several media outlets covering various national, regional, and global issues. His work has earned him recognition, including being selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), as well as a Program for African Leadership (PfAL) Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Mr. Rutenge will be charged with leading a bold vision of one of Tanzania’s key civil society institutions. He takes the leadership role at FCS at a critical juncture of shifting aid sector dynamics and a rapidly evolving technology landscape. He has the full support of the Members and Board of FCS to lead in such contemporary times, and cement FCS’ position as a facilitator of people-centered development in Tanzania, as well as an important voice within the global development discourse.
We hereby invite all our stakeholders and the general public to accord Mr. Rutenge and the new management at FCS the necessary cooperation as they execute their duties.
Mr. Rutenge will assume his new role on May 1, 2024, succeeding Mr. Francis Kiwanga, whose forthcoming exit was announced in October 2023. He becomes the fourth Executive Director since FCS was founded in 2002.