Your responsibilities will encompass a range of strategic and operational duties, including but not limited to project management, cross-functional team collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. You will be tasked with developing and executing innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency and drive business growth. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, exceptional communication abilities, and a proven track record in [industry/field]. Proficiency in [specific tools/software] is required, along with the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
The Global Ed team is seeking a Program Officer who will be responsible for designing and overseeing high-impact investments aimed at enhancing foundational learning outcomes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This position will provide assistance in the implementation of country-level initiatives in Kenya, promote the integration of educational technology (edtech) and artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning methodologies, and produce and disseminate evidence-based insights on effective strategies to inform and bolster government-led foundational learning programs across the region.
The Product Owner will spearhead the creation and oversight of a comprehensive portfolio encompassing applied research, innovation initiatives, and implementation assistance. This involves pinpointing and evaluating impactful interventions in Kenya while extending support to initiatives throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, driving advancements in educational technology and AI-driven solutions, and extracting critical success factors applicable across diverse settings. The position will engage experts to gather and synthesize insights, then promote and enable the adoption of evidence-based practices in resource-constrained environments.
The Program Officer will focus on developing and maintaining collaborations with country partners, actively engaging with education leaders and relevant organizations at both country and regional levels to enhance learning outcomes through systemic improvements. They will oversee a diverse portfolio of grants and contracts, applying strong investment management, monitoring, and evaluation skills to ensure effective implementation. Candidates should demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the education evidence base and a proven track record in executing large-scale programs.
The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with cross-functional colleagues and other teams within the foundation—particularly those focused on education and related fields—to share insights and maximize the impact of partnerships, including the K-12 Education Team and specialized groups such as Digital Public Infrastructure and Philanthropic Partnerships. Additionally, you will play a key role in advancing the foundation’s initiatives by engaging with donors and external partners to secure additional funding, thereby strengthening literacy outcomes for children.
This position is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and falls under the supervision of the Director of Economic Opportunity, while maintaining a secondary reporting line to the Deputy Director of Innovation and Country Implementation.
What You’ll Do
Design and oversee a strategic investment portfolio aimed at strengthening foundational learning outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa, encompassing large-scale program rollouts in Kenya, broader interventions across the continent, and evaluations of edtech and AI-driven solutions. Assess grant proposals with precision, delivering well-reasoned written analyses and recommendations to guide funding decisions.
Lead Kenya’s portfolio within Sub-Saharan Africa, collaborating closely with local partners, the Ministry of Education, education Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies, and the broader education sector. Design and manage comprehensive study frameworks, conduct rigorous field evaluations, and analyze outcomes to ensure programs align with emerging data and insights. Enhance and capitalize on the capabilities of local partners to optimize implementation and amplify results.
Develop and sustain strategic collaborations with essential government stakeholders, researchers, implementers, practitioners, and donors across sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate, design, and evaluate interventions aimed at enhancing early grade literacy and numeracy outcomes at scale while deepening the understanding of implementation effectiveness drivers. Align research inquiries with national priorities to ensure demand-driven insights, and collaborate closely with Global Education colleagues to convert evidence into impactful country-specific programming.
Partner with grantees and key stakeholders to enhance project outcomes and confirm that grant initiatives align with strategic objectives. This may involve conducting on-site assessments, offering operational recommendations, organizing collaborative meetings among essential partners, and overseeing grant components through monitoring and evaluation processes.
Lead strategic discussions and engage with leadership as a key thought partner within the Global Ed team and the foundation. Collaborate on the development and execution of strategies and implementation plans to drive long-term sustainability and measurable impact. Craft clear, insightful analyses and communications tailored to engage stakeholders across all organizational levels.
Partner with donors and philanthropic organizations to develop strategic co-funding initiatives and collaborative ventures aimed at attracting additional resources for foundational learning, thereby enhancing outcomes.
Successfully cultivate and oversee relationships while coordinating concurrent investment planning among various colleagues and shared partners. Work in close alignment with Global Ed colleagues to consistently enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Serve as the foundation’s delegate in regional forums, actively advocating for the widespread implementation and expansion of proven, evidence-based literacy interventions.
Your Experience
We seek a seasoned education leader with a profound grasp of early grade learning, a proven ability to foster strategic partnerships, and a commitment to elevating learning outcomes. If you are driven by the mission to revolutionize education systems and deliver tangible improvements in foundational learning, this is a rare chance to create a global impact. You will oversee and direct a dynamic portfolio of investments focused on enhancing learning outcomes in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa. Your role will involve leading applied research efforts, engaging with national and regional education stakeholders, and advancing systemic reforms by championing evidence-based innovation.
A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, coupled with a minimum of five years of senior-level experience, or an equivalent background, is required.
Demonstrated expertise in pedagogy and the execution or facilitation of large-scale initiatives aimed at enhancing early grade outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with a comprehensive grasp of the global evidence base.
Demonstrates a deep grasp of AI and educational technology (edtech), with expertise in leveraging these tools to enhance teaching and learning quality. Proficient in evaluating how edtech and AI interventions integrate and scale within educational systems, as well as assessing the effectiveness and appropriateness of both technical and non-technical solutions for students at various levels of implementation.
Proven ability to establish and maintain high-impact, collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, including senior executives, educational institutions, and implementation teams, while ensuring fairness and mutual benefit in all engagements.
Proven expertise in leveraging soft skills to navigate conflicts and foster agreement. Strong interpersonal capabilities coupled with a track record of cultivating and maintaining productive partnerships, alongside adept matrix management proficiency.
Demonstrates exceptional capability in independently resolving intricate challenges, driven by a proactive approach, innovative thinking, and an enthusiastic mindset. Exhibits a consistently positive demeanor while maintaining high levels of energy and creativity in problem-solving scenarios.
Exceptional expertise in project and team leadership, demonstrated through adept strategy formulation, alignment of shared objectives, and meticulous execution planning, along with proficient prioritization, meeting facilitation, budget management, consensus building, and seamless work across independent and collaborative settings.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in both verbal and written communication, adept at distilling complex information into concise, actionable insights tailored to varied stakeholders. Skilled at fostering alignment and securing buy-in across diverse groups through persuasive messaging and strategic communication.
With a proven track record in overseeing donor-funded initiatives—whether as a grantee executing funded programs or a grant maker administering funding—you have firsthand experience in receiving, tracking, and reporting on performance metrics while maintaining direct oversight of portfolio management.
Proven ability to thrive in ambiguous settings while guiding teams through periods of transition.
Demonstrates adaptability, precision, and strong interpersonal skills, thriving both independently and within multifaceted team environments through collaborative and diplomatic engagement.
Other Attributes
Adaptable across varied cultural, geographic, and operational environments, you exhibit culturally aware conduct when engaging with diverse groups and uphold a strong dedication to addressing development challenges while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Must have the legal right to work in the host country for this role without requiring visa sponsorship.
Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
5 years
