Jean de Dieu Bagirihirwe

Jean de Dieu Bagirihirwe, Managing Director and Senior Consultant at FATE Consulting Ltd., brings a decade of expertise in project management, research, legal advisory, stakeholder engagement, and gender mainstreaming. With a deep understanding of Rwandan and regional legal and policy landscapes, he has significantly influenced social protection policies and strategies through his role in the Social Protection Steering Committee. Bagirihirwe’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in law from Mons University, Belgium, and he is fluent in Kinyarwanda, English, and French. His extensive experience in research is demonstrated by leading a comprehensive study on water policy management for World Vision Rwanda and serving as a qualitative data analyst for a UNDP study on the horticulture sector’s impact on women’s economic empowerment.

As a dedicated advocate for gender equality, Bagirihirwe has crafted influential position papers, such as advocating for the ratification of the ILO Convention 190 on combating workplace sexual harassment. He has conducted numerous training sessions on gender equality, unpaid care work, and workplace safety, and actively utilized media platforms to promote these issues. His advocacy efforts extend to shaping Labor and pension laws, identifying gaps in social protection policies, and revising maternity benefits, alongside enforcing regional protocols like the EAC protocol on free movement of Labor to enhance protections for vulnerable groups.

Bagirihirwe’s project management skills, bolstered by advanced training from the Swedish Employment Services, have led to the successful management of high-profile projects, including the Africa Continental Free Trade Area looking for the employment opportunities and participation of Trade unions in AfCFTA implementation process, Decent work for women in horticulture sector project which was commissioned by HIVOS foundation under women at work campaign. Prior to his tenure at FATE, he served as Organizing Coordinator at CESTRAR, where he identified legal risks, provided legal advice, and represented the organization in legal negotiations and dispute resolution processes. An accomplished public speaker, he has facilitated workshops and presented at national, regional, and international conferences, showcasing his expertise and commitment to social development and legal reform.