Head of Education

We are seeking a motivated and goal-oriented Education expert to take on the responsibility of engaging essential partners to support the enrollment and education of out-of-school children (OOSC) in quality education.

This role includes managing the daily operations of the Technical Department in close collaboration with other EAA/EAC departments and partners. Additionally, the position involves working with designated ODA focal points to ensure alignment with EAC policies and approaches, with a particular focus on EAC’s key performance indicators (KPIs), deliverables, and technical quality assurance.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop regional strategies and plans to enroll and retain OOSC that is congruent with Program and Foundation strategies.
• Develop a regional portfolio of projects and partners.
• Lead potential partner opportunity and capacity assessment.
• Manage and foster a strategic partnership with a number of bilateral, foundation, and UN agency partners, through various initiatives.
• Lead the identification of potential partners and innovative interventions to support.
• Initiate initial communication and maintain engagement with potential partners.
• Review, assess and provide recommendations on proposals, including program design, budgets and M&E plans.
• Conduct on-site due diligence of potential partners as and when required to confirm validity and quality of the proposed project and implementing partner in technical, organizational, M&E and reputational areas are covered.
• Serve as a regional/project focal point for multiple strategic and complex partnerships, and monitor project implementation progress, targets and achievements.
• Conduct reviews on semi-annual technical reports submitted by partners in order to track the progress of the program/partner.
• Develop cost effective instruments and tools for the collection and analysis of programme data as needed throughout the life of the EAC projects.
• Contribute to the identification of the need for design and conduct, of routine site monitoring visits in accordance with the approved scope of work.
• Provide technical support, recommendations and/or advice to partners regarding concerns/issues in order to optimize performance across EAC programs.
• Advocate, build relationships, and develop channels for dialogue with key community influencers and organizations in order to achieve EAA/EAC objectives.
• Work with different teams and departments to identify potential projects that could be supported through potential donors.
• Serve as a focal point for ODA and private partners for resource mobilization as assigned.
• Lead thematic, country/regional or project briefings requested by external or internal stakeholders.
• Promote/advocate for institution’s visibility, brand and strategic position.
• Participate in global and regional events, working with partners, to market and enhance EAA’s/EAC’s position and image.
• Advise on programme strategic plan and direction.
• Engage with global initiatives to position EAA/EAC as a key player in the international development community.
• Represent EAC and EAA in regional and international forums.

In order to be successful in this role you will bring;

• Master’s degree in Education or other relevant field & a minimum of 10 years of relevant full-time work experience in providing technical assistance to large education development programs in the developing world
• Fluency in Spanish (both oral and written) is a must

Other Requirements

• Extensive and diverse field experience with education projects
• Extensive and diverse management experience with education and development projects
• Extensive and demonstrable (8 years or more) experience in managing and leading donor funded projects and programs in multiple countries
• Successfully led teams to implement, monitor and deliver grant agreement milestones and targets
• Designed and published research and seminal reports, preferred
• Designed successfully funded proposals and projects
• Successfully negotiated with host country governments on program implementation;
• Extensive knowledge in trends in educational policy, access and quality Extensive experience with donor contacts and interactions
• Extensive knowledge with project cycles and agreements
• Extensive experience with working with government counterparts
• Experience working with and building collaborative relationships with ministries of education, donors, and NGOs.
• Experience in managing and monitoring field-based projects
• Experience in designing, conducting and understanding research
• Extensive Knowledge of international education indicators and frameworks

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off
• Opportunity to work in a diverse, dynamic, and mission-driven organization that is committed to excellence, innovation, and creativity
• Access to a supportive network of colleagues and mentors within EAA and its programs