Technical Director, Education

About the job

FHI 360 is a global organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. With collaborations in over 60 countries, we work directly with local leaders to advance social and economic equity, improve health and well-being, respond to humanitarian crises and strengthen community resilience.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Technical Director, Education for the upcoming FCDO UK Support for Girls' Education and Improved Learning in Ethiopia.

This position will be based in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia and is contingent upon award.

Project Description

FCDO UK Support for Girls' Education and Improved Learning in Ethiopia (2024-2029) is a new bilateral education programme in Rwanda due to be tendered between April – July 2024. The programme will improve access for marginalized groups to education, improve retention and transition rates, improve learning outcomes, and improve school capacity and capability. The programme will operate across four pillars: 1) Teacher and school leadership development, 2) English language teaching and learning, 3) Equity, Inclusion and Girls’ Education.

Position Description

The Technical Director, Education provides technical leadership across the program and is responsible for leading the quality and timeliness of the project’s overall technical workstream. In addition, this person will lead Outcome Two: 'English language teaching and learning.' S/he will lead the technical team and development of technical deliverables, play a role in policy and advocacy efforts, liaise with technical partners, relevant national stakeholders, beneficiaries and FCDO, as needed. The Technical Director will be a senior education sector specialist with leadership experience from large-scale foundational learning programs in Ethiopia and/or the region. S/he will have deep technical expertise in supporting transitions to English as the medium of instruction, English as a subject, supporting teachers to improve English language skills, and supporting systems strengthening. S/he will have experience supporting scalable approaches to building teacher and system capacity in English as a medium of instruction. The Technical Director will have deep technical knowledge of national learning strategies for Ethiopia and applied experience in delivering on Ministerial strategies for improved foundational learning for all students.

Job Summary/Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical leadership and management for the programme including budget formulation and oversight; advises the Team Leader on technical matters, including support for policy and advocacy efforts related to their area of expertise.
• Provide direct oversight and management of the teacher support and school leadership components of the programme.
• Coordinate across the four technical pillars to ensure common strategic direction, with particular emphasis on education access and equity for all students.
• Nurture and maintain strong relationships with relevant Ministry counterparts and other key stakeholders in the design and roll-out of innovative approaches.
• Lead on development and quality assurance of teaching and learning materials, including competency frameworks for teachers and school leadership.
• Oversee technical outputs (activities, strategies, and deliverables) of implementing partners.
• Lead on local partner technical capacity building activities.
• Support the Team Leader and MERL staff with activity monitoring and evaluation.
• Provide leadership and line management of technical programme staff and ensure clear roles and responsibilities; maintain clear lines of communication with project team members.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or comparable level of relevant experience required in education, English language instruction, TESOL, school leadership, or related field; PhD or EdD preferred.
• 10+ years of related work experience in increasingly senior roles, with three years in leadership positions; experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) or commercial consulting firm preferred.
• Expertise in supporting teachers to build English language skills.
• Deep contextual knowledge of Ethiopia’s education landscape and experience working in Ethiopia preferred.
• Experience modifying approaches for different contexts given the complexity of Ethiopia.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with local communities, government officials, implementing partners, and donor representatives.
• Ability to analyze and establish effective cross-programme coordination, procedures, and management systems.
• Demonstrated ability in complex environments, working across different cultures, and managing diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines.
• Proven technical leadership in FCDO-funded projects preferred.
• Oral and written fluency required in English and Amharic.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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