Program Officer - Higher Education in Africa
The Higher Education Support Program (HESP) aims to leverage higher education as a means towards developing and strengthening open societies around the world. The program is expanding and developing new and innovative strategies to address the multiple challenges facing global higher education. HESP works with grantees in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East to improve access to higher education for marginalized groups, to protect intellectual freedom, and to support research and teaching related to social justice. The program focuses on improving quality, reducing costs to students, and making the learning experience more relevant to a world of rapid technological and social change. HESP works with leading thinkers in education and development to stimulate discussion of higher education policy and the role of universities and scholars in the development of open societies.
Job Profile
HESP seeks a Program Officer with expertise in Africa to join our team in London. The position is intended for a mid-career professional who is committed to the role of higher education in creating and protecting open societies, specifically throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the landscape of higher education in the region, which is at a moment of flux as it draws renewed attention for the first time in several decades. Institutions, academics and students face questions of access, quality and relevance. We are looking for a creative person, able to take initiative and chart a path for higher education in the region.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
- Determine key leverage points in the regional higher education landscape, through which higher education can contribute to more open societies.
- Develop and implement a regional strategy that is in line with our program strategy.
- Research new areas of potential work and find appropriate partners.
- Assess organizational capacity, including financial health.
- Negotiate and manage grants, projects and contracts with diverse organizations.
- Design and implement monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Build collaborative relationships within HESP, as well as across OSF’s geographic and thematic entities.
Candidate profile
- PhD strongly preferred; Master’s degree in a social science subject at minimum.
- 7-10 years of relevant experience related to the culture, practice and administration of higher education in Africa; experience developing and managing programs in higher education is mandatory, previous grant making experience preferred.
- Knowledge of the field of higher education with demonstrable understanding of current trends and debates.
- Familiarity with the activities of key donors, foundation and institutions in the African region.
- Ability to function effectively in cross-cultural settings, particularly in the context of the power dynamics of a grantee-granter relationship.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English; ability to speak French and/or an African language is a plus.
- Excellent computer skills, and comfort using technology extensively
- Willingness to travel.
- Commitment to the principles of an open society.
Closing date: 10 March 2016.
Program Officer - Higher Education in Africa
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