Education Advisor, Africa Area

The Africa Education Advisor (AEA) is responsible for promoting high-quality, evidence-based education and child development (DECD) programs that reach greater scale in Save the Children’s Africa region. Acting as the hub for DECD technical assistance in the region, the AEA coordinates the team of DECD technical advisors based in Africa; defines regional DECD strategy and workplans; maintains a working relationship with Africa Area and Save the Children International leadership at the regional and country office levels; and acts as the link with other relevant teams (including DECD and other departments) at the home office and in the region. He/She works with his/her team to ensure quality in all aspects of the program cycle, from design, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation; to planning, implementation and staff capacity-building; to reporting, documentation and advocacy. S/he provides technical leadership and significant support to business development activities in the region. In addition, he/she acts as the voice for DECD in Africa, promoting regional priorities for children in internal and external fora. The successful candidate is expected to be based in one of Save the Children International’s regional offices in Africa, preferably Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Pretoria.

Responsibilities

• Act as the DECD hub for the Africa Area to ensure integrated and effective education and child development technical assistance in the region. Define and oversee DECD strategy and annual workplan for the Africa Area
• Manage and mentor the DECD Africa Area team
• Provide technical assistance to country offices to promote high-quality, evidence-based and scalable education and child development programming
• Lead or support proposal development to build and sustain the DECD portfolio in Africa
• Promote strong collaboration in the education and child development sectors between Save the Children International members in Africa
• Represent the DECD Africa Area team internally and externally.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the state of the art in education and child development in developing country contexts;
• Specialized knowledge and skills in one of Save the Children’s priority areas (early childhood development, literacy, education in emergencies, etc.);
• Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor a diverse, virtual team in setting and achieving objectives;
• Dedicated to ensuring that his/her team members achieve a good work/life balance;
• Program and budget management experience in the education sector;
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation;
• Significant experience in building capacity at the country office level;
• Experience designing and leading trainings and capacity building exercises for diverse target audiences (partners, country office staff, headquarters staff, others)
• Experience in representation with international bodies, governments, and donors;
• A strong team player and leader with excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to problem-solve, multi-task, determine priorities, take initiative, and work independently;
• Demonstrated success in program design and proposal development for private foundations, bi- and/or multilaterals, and/or USAID;
• Professional proficiency in French, Portuguese or other widely-spoken languages in Africa desired.

Employee Type

Full -Time Regular

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In 2010, we improved the lives of over 64 million children in need in the United States and around the world. Our goal is to reach more than 74 million children annually by the year 2012. Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.

We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

Education Advisor, Africa Area