Programme Director – Education

Job Description

TITLE: Programme Director – Education

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Operations

LOCATION: Lusaka Zambia

GRADE: NAT 1

CONTRACT LENGTH: Two Years – renewable

Safeguarding:

Save the Children does not tolerate any form of exploitation, abuse, or harassment against any person. It is the responsibility of all employees and representatives to protect all people who come in contact with our organization. Save the Children commits to applying the same standards to all its employees and subject them to the same processes regardless of their position, influence, or reputation within or outside of the organization.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Save the Children International’s Diversity Policy, aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and to ban any kind of discrimination based on sex, age, social class, disability, HIV status, religion, race and ethnicity

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children is seeking a Programs Director (PD) for the Global Partnership for Education Program in Zambia. Save the Children is selected as the Grant Agent for Zambia GPE Partnership Compact. Save the Children Zambia has been awarded the role of Grant Agent for the implementation of all three components namely Systems Transformation Grant (STG), Multiplier Grant, and Systems Capacity Grant (SCG).

The GPE Partnership Compact Grant will contribute to transform the education system, dramatically increasing access to education, improve quality of education, while also making service delivery more equitable, inclusive, efficient, and effective, and strengthening the capacity of the Government to deliver on its mandate.

The Program Director is a senior leadership role and will provide overall strategic direction in the design, management, implementation, and overall quality assurance of the GPE funded education portfolio. The Program Director will be the primary point of contact with the donor and be responsible for the sustainability of project interventions. The Program Director will lead programmatic, operational, and administrative activities. The Program Director is responsible for overseeing the overall strategic delivery of the program to ensure education opportunities that are accessible, relevant and of high quality.

The Program Director will be responsible for strategic leadership and for developing a strong vision and implementation of the GPE Compact with an evidence-based approach, integrating innovative strategies, and delivering on all objectives of the project. They will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of all project staff. They will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including creating synergy with the larger GPE portfolio in the country, to strengthen education systems as well as support the design of service delivery strategies, track progress towards achieving program goals and adapt as necessary.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Country Director

Staff reporting to this post: GPE Program Team (including GPE Program Directors)

Budget Responsibilities: $74Million

Role Dimensions: The role holder will closely work with both Save the Children team including Country Director, Director Program Development and Quality, Director Programs and Operations, and Country office Techncial Team in the delivery of the GPE program; and the Zambia Ministry of Education (MoE) leadership including the Minister, the permanent secretaries, the education directors and other education specialists at the MoE. The role holder will also collaborate with all stakeholders working in the education system in Zambia.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategic and Technical Leadership

Responsible for strategic leadership and ensuring an integrated vision among different components and stakeholders and focusing on achieving the overall impact of the program in line with the GPE Compact.

Responsible for participating in SCI – Zambia Senior Management Team (SMT) providing program progress and responding to senior level issues as they occur

Ensure program success through high-quality leadership and oversight.

Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where the project team strives to achieve excellence.

The PD will take a leadership role in ensuring technical implementation and ensure the project meets desired goals and reporting requirements.

The PD will be responsible for the technical oversight of the project and is specifically responsible for project implementation that relates to National, Regional states and community level service delivery.

S/he will be responsible for provide technical leadership to the programme, documentation and dissemination of innovation and good practices and establishing, maintaining and expanding partner relations for the sector.

Program Implementation and Impact

Develop strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with GPE guidelines to achieve project objectives.

Responsible for overall program implementation and operations in line with GPE regulations, procedures, and Save the Children guidelines.

Support a rigorous approach to learning and adaptation driven by data that, in consultation with government, donor, and education sector, leads to refinements and adjustments to the projects technical approaches and annual work plans and allows for timely and accurate decision-making.

Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation.

Direct transparent communications with partners, including negotiating scopes of work, addressing requisite revisions in programmatic work, and troubleshooting issues that may arise.

Maintain oversight of high-risk areas, including but not limited to procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and staff security.

The PD will be providing technical and program oversight in the design and day-to-day management of implementation to increase the demand for quality priority education services and community engagement activities.

The PD will also ensure the technical and methodological soundness of activities and, in collaboration with the project team and partners, support the design of service delivery strategies, based on sound and up to date evidence.

Contract Management, Risk and Compliance

The PD is responsible for overall financial management, risk management, and establishing compliance with GPE regulations, procedures, and Save the Children guidelines.

The PD is responsible for the proper management of budget including integrity, compliance and the timely utilization

Staff Management

The PD is responsible for building a strong team and effeictively managing all direct reports.

The PD is responsible for the management of the GPE project team.

Representation, and relationship management:

Represent Save the Children with partners and key stakeholders, maintaining positive relationships with donors, local ministries, and the Zambia country office team.

Incorporate SC’s vision and values and full adherence to Code of Conduct principles.

The PD will be based in Lusaka but with frequent (approx. 70% travel) in country travel with occasional international travel.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in a relevant area of expertise preferred, such as education or international development. Bachelor’s degree required.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

A high-level background in education and a good understanding of education context preferably in the Southern African/Zambia region

Minimum of 10 years of professional experience designing, managing and implementing large and complex education programs.

At least five years of senior program experience working and living in a developing country, ideally in Zambia or Southern Africa

In-depth knowledge of GPE approaches and regulations.

Prior experience as GPE Program Director, Director/Assistant level at the ministry of education and participation in GPE program implemenntation.

Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.

Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal commitment to gender equality, child rights and social inclusion.

Experience of working with government systems and understanding program implementation through government systems.

Desirable

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, for-profit private sector entities, local community organizations, donors, consortium members and other stakeholders, at national and sub-national levels.

Demonstrated hands-on experience in building Ministry of Education and devolved structures capacity in developing and realizing education strategic plans to provide quality Education services

Demonstrated experience of supervising and mentoring technical staff

Demonstrated in-depth understanding of the dynamics in Zambia Education system

Proven track record managing a project team composed of several technical experts and fostering team work

Strong management skills, leadership qualities, professional reputation, ability to create synergies where applicable, interpersonal skills, and written and oral presentation skills to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the project description.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (professional level proficiency) is mandatory

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 8th October 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found

Save the Children will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection process or thereafter.