Aga Khan Foundation: Education Programme Officer / Senior Programme Officer
Opportunity for an outstanding professional wanting to make a lasting difference at child and policy levels to join the small dynamic education team at the Headquarters of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) in Geneva. AKF’s goal is to ensure that children and young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to help them interact effectively with the world and be contributing members of society.
AKF’s education portfolio has almost doubled in 7 years and is concentrated in disadvantaged areas of South Asia and Central Asia, East and West Africa and the Middle East with some work in Europe. AKF is one of a number of agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) involved in the field of education. AKDN is a group of non-denominational development agencies whose mandates range from health and education to architecture, culture, rural development and the promotion of private sector enterprise and civil society. AKDN’s education work spans early childhood programmes; primary and secondary education; non-formal education for children, youth and adults; and tertiary education including that of the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia. AKF’s education programme works with multiple entities across the Network. The successful candidate is expected to enhance the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of AKF supported education programmes as well as working in close collaboration with other education agencies and institutions within the AKDN.
The successful candidate will undertake analyses and provide professional support and technical inputs in support of education programmes across countries in order to improve educational access and quality. This will involve support to programme conceptualization, planning and implementation, as well as monitoring, evaluation and research. AKF supported programmes operate at multiple levels – from the classroom, school management and community through to system strengthening and policy. Innovative learning opportunities for students and teacher training/ professional development and mentoring initiatives are key. Partnerships with governments, academic institutions and civil society organizations are central.
The post involves on-site support in order to ensure quality, assess progress, address challenges and participate in policy discussions. Close collaboration with and support for colleagues in a range of countries and the ability to work effectively at multiple levels are central. The successful candidate will also work with colleagues in Geneva and the field to facilitate analysis of key trends and issues as well as draw out lessons learned from AKDN and other education initiatives. This is used to contribute to policy dialogue at both national and international levels. The position will also require participation in resource mobilization (including support to proposal preparation), communication and representation activities, and other programme-wide support activities.
Requirements: We are seeking an energetic self-starter with a track record demonstrating capability, commitment, communication/ negotiation skills (oral and written) and creativity. He/She must be a team player and work effectively in multi-cultural environments, and have extensive experience in low/ middle-income countries and with at least one highly regarded organization/ institution. The ability to work effectively at multiple levels (community through to policy) and in a complex institutional environment is key. Candidates must be prepared to travel away from Geneva for 100+ days per year. The successful candidate will have substantial classroom/ teacher training/ school improvement experience at primary and/or secondary levels. Fluency in English is required; other languages such as French, Portuguese, Farsi, Arabic or Urdu are an advantage.
AKF is committed to equity in its mandate and its staff. Attractive remuneration based on experience and qualifications. Suitably qualified candidates are invited to send a CV and motivational letter via www.akdn.org/careers/791442 Closing date for applications: 01/05/15
