About the Role

As the National Program & Partnerships Lead, you will play a key role in designing, developing, and implementing education-focused programmes across multiple geographies.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining program design, program implementation, partnership development, team leadership, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and strategic planning. You will work closely with internal teams, government stakeholders, implementation partners, and other ecosystem organisations to translate strategic priorities into impactful programmes and ensure their effective execution at scale.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in the education sector, along with a proven ability to take programmes from concept and design through implementation, evaluation, learning, and scale.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design & Strategy

• Program Design: Design and develop education-focused programmes aligned with organisational priorities and the needs of target communities.

• Program Planning: Translate strategic objectives into programme frameworks, implementation plans, milestones, outcomes, and operating models.

• Program Innovation: Identify opportunities to strengthen programme models, introduce new approaches, and improve programme effectiveness.

• Scale Strategy: Develop approaches for taking successful programme models to new geographies and contexts.

• Research & Insights: Use sector knowledge, stakeholder inputs, and evidence to inform programme design and strategic decisions.

Program Implementation & Delivery

• Program Implementation: Lead the execution of programmes across multiple geographies, ensuring quality, timelines, and intended outcomes.

• Delivery Management: Work with internal teams and external implementation partners to translate programme design into effective on-ground delivery.

• Program Monitoring: Track programme progress, identify implementation challenges, and drive timely course correction.

• Quality & Outcomes: Ensure programmes maintain high standards of delivery and remain aligned with intended outcomes.

• Operational Coordination: Coordinate across multiple teams, partners, and stakeholders to ensure seamless programme execution.

Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Partnership Development: Identify, build, and manage strategic partnerships with education organisations, government stakeholders, implementation partners, and other ecosystem players.

• Partner Management: Onboard and manage implementation partners, establish clear expectations, and review performance against agreed objectives.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships across the education ecosystem and represent the organisation in relevant external forums and conversations.

• Strategic Collaboration: Identify opportunities to expand programme reach and impact through partnerships and collaborations.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• MEL Strategy: Lead monitoring, evaluation, and learning across the programme portfolio.

• Impact Measurement: Develop frameworks and mechanisms to assess programme reach, quality, outcomes, and impact.

• Data & Insights: Use programme data and evidence to identify gaps, inform decisions, and strengthen programme design and implementation.

• Continuous Learning: Build feedback loops between programme design and implementation to continuously improve programme effectiveness.

Team Leadership & Strategic Initiatives

• Team Management: Lead and mentor a growing programme team, providing direction, support, and accountability.

• Capability Building: Strengthen team capabilities across programme design, implementation, partnerships, and project management.

• Proposal Development: Lead or contribute to proposals, concept notes, programme plans, and strategic partnership documents.

• Strategic Communication: Develop presentations, reports, and programme updates for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Who You Are

• Education Sector Expertise: 15+ years of experience working in the education sector, with a strong understanding of education programmes, learning ecosystems, and the challenges of programme delivery.

• Program Design & Implementation: Proven experience taking programmes from concept and design through implementation and evaluation, ideally across multiple geographies.

• Program Management: Strong experience managing complex programmes, multiple workstreams, implementation teams, or external partners.

• Partnership Orientation: Demonstrated experience developing and managing partnerships with government bodies, education organisations, implementation partners, or other ecosystem stakeholders.

• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Ability to translate organisational priorities and evidence into practical programme strategies and implementation models.

• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and navigate complex partnerships.

• Team Leadership: Experience managing and developing teams, with the ability to build strong and collaborative programme teams.

• Execution Orientation: Strong ownership and ability to move between strategic programme design and hands-on implementation.

• Working Style: Comfortable operating in an evolving environment, managing ambiguity, and balancing strategic priorities with execution realities.

Educational Background

A Master's degree or equivalent qualification in Education, Development Studies, Public Policy, Management, Social Sciences, or a related discipline would be preferred.