Global Education Department Director

This position will be in a newly created Business Unit (BU) which encompasses a diverse collection of programs and expertise, comprising broad, cross-cutting development sectors. The BU’s work includes civil society and peacebuilding, economic development and livelihoods, youth, workforce, environment, English language acquisition and teacher training, academic exchanges and partnerships, research and evaluation, early childhood education and literacy, education in conflict, post-primary education, and institutional and individual capacity building. Each of the practice areas in the Business Unit is led by a Department Director.

The overall responsibilities of a Department Director at FHI 360 are to develop and manage a robust portfolio in a practice area with specific accountability for management, technical leadership, and business development. The management responsibilities include creation of an effective organizational structure for project management, implementation, and quality control; engagement in organization-wide leadership and governance activities; and liaising with key clients, donors, and partners. In business development, s/he is responsible for the short- and long-term strategic planning and development of new project activities. Technical leadership consists of ensuring that the practice area is effectively implementing best practices and is well represented in the development community. In the matrixed organizational model at FHI 360, the Department is responsible for providing technical leadership and assistance to ensure consistent technical quality and best practices in all projects in that practice area, whether managed directly or through regional offices.

The Global Education Department has been a leader in advancing education quality and access in international contexts for over 50 years at FHI 360 and its predecessor organization. The GE department addresses systemic challenges in the quality and access to formal education from early childhood in the primary education cycle and into secondary and tertiary education, with particular technical emphasis on early grade literacy, education in conflict and crisis, secondary education, and girls’ education. The GE department maintains expertise in all aspects of education systems, including teacher professional development, policy, curriculum and materials development, school management, classroom instruction, gender equity, information management, and systems development. The Department Director is responsible for ensuring that each team within the department has the staff, resources, and management to successfully build and implement its practice area as well as generate evidence contributing to FHI 360 though leadership. In addition, the Director is responsible for working closely with other FHI 360 departments to share expertise and develop integrated solutions and more effective programs.

The Department Director will provide guidance and direction on the design and implementation of education projects, and will possess expert-level technical program delivery experience in at least one of the technical areas of the portfolio. This position reports to the Business Unit Director.

Roles and Responsibilities

Working in a matrixed environment, the Department Director is expected to liaise with all appropriate personnel outside of the Department and participate in communities of practice as relevant.

Department management

• Develop and implement a consistent vision for the department with an emphasis on results, high quality management and technical implementation, and effective engagement of clients and stakeholders across the portfolio.
• Hire, retain, and support well qualified and effective team leads and technical specialists in all critical areas of technical engagement.
• Meet regularly with team and project leaders leads to gauge client satisfaction, troubleshoot problems, and plan future project growth and activities
• Participate in periodic meetings with clients to evaluate performance and discuss future role(s) on project activities
• Meet regularly with department staff to determine compliance with FHI 360 internal systems, as well as with client deadlines and requirements
• In the FHI 360 matrixed management system, coordinate and collaborate with Regional Offices, country platform management, and Enterprise Services to ensure effective, efficient program implementation.
• Participates in broader organizational meetings and initiatives regarding policies, procedures, and operational protocols

Financial management

• Maintains an overall governance and understanding of FHI 360 financial systems
• Works with Business Unit (BU) business manager, department finance manager, and FHI 360 financial services to establish effective, stream-lined policies and procedures for managing, monitoring, and reporting on financial activities
• Works with department finance manager to develop and review annual departmental G&A budget and revenue projections
• Manages the department annual revenue and overhead budget.

Staff development

• Engage and motivate department staff to meet project, department, and business unit mission and objectives
• Hire and retain experienced division leads and work with division leads to hire and retain experienced project managers and technical lead
• Work with Human Resources to identify and manage staffing and performance issues
• Nurture an environment of collaboration, team work, and high staff morale
• Provide staff professional development and facilitate diverse and rewarding work opportunities
• Mentor senior staff, ensuring a pathway for professional growth and advancement

Technical Leadership

• Maintains and strengthens the Global Education reputation for thought leadership and high quality implementation within the development community, and particularly with clients and stakeholders.
• Provide expert-level technical expertise and guidance to programs within the department portfolio.
• Contributes to developing a robust research and learning agenda.
• In collaboration with the BU Director and department division leads and technical experts, spearhead thought leadership in the Department’s relevant sectors through learning events, publications, and technical initiatives.
• Identify new products and services.
• Responsible for technical quality of program implementation and designs and monitors activities regarding recruitment and supervision of teams who implement programming.
• Serve on relevant technical forums and other policy-related bodies.
• Contribute to periodic publications and/or lead, develop, and/or participate in major presentations
• Fosters continuous learning from GE projects and technical teams.

Strategic Planning and New Business

• To maintain and expand a robust portfolio of active projects and contracts in the practice areas through new business development as well as quality implementation. In partnership with the BU Director and BU Business Development team, identify and prioritize opportunities that correspond with Department technical areas.
• Work closely with BU HQ leadership to identify strategic focus areas and strategically deploy BU resources.
• Cultivate a network of partnerships with other relevant stakeholders, including USAID, other government donors, the private sector, academic institutions, researchers, and implementing partners,

• Lead and/or support BU-related strategy, capture management, and proposal development and work with technical teams to develop innovative and responsive programs and assist with other proposal development activities like recruitment and management plans as needed.

• Directs short- and long-term strategic planning to ensure growth and viability of the department’s project portfolio

• Contributes to BU and organizational strategic planning to ensure that the Department portfolio complements and supports broader business development activities

• Works with organization’s strategy and communications teams to ensure visibility of the Department’s products, services, research, and expertise

• Demonstrates an understanding of FHI 360 institutional goals and strategies, interprets how the Department’s mission fits within those goals and strategies, and effectively articulates that message to staff, funders, and beneficiaries

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree or 10 years of experience and a master’s degree.
• Minimum of 10 years working internationally in education programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in portfolio management
• Experience providing expert level technical program delivery in at least one technical area in the Department’s portfolio:
• Experience working with major international funding institutions and foundations supporting education programs.
• Demonstrated success in building a portfolio of programs with diverse funding sources.
• Demonstrated experience with financial analysis, budgeting, financial management of programs, and establishing operational standards
• Experience supervising and mentoring large, diverse staff teams
• Experience in business planning, strategic planning, and leading development efforts
• At least 3 years of experience building partnerships that result in enhanced programmatic outcomes and additional resources for program activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multi-sectoral teams and lead, develop and implement strategy and business plans.
• Excellent writing and presenting skills.
• Working knowledge of at least one other language, besides English.

This job description 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.
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FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is an equal employment 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, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.

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