Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
Practice/Department:
R4D seeks a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Program Officer (SPO) to play a key role in the Global Education practice on our largest program, the EdTech Hub. EdTech Hub runs a demand-driven support service, known as the Helpdesk, where government decision makers and their advisers can request real time support on a wide-range of education technology issues. The SPO will be the owner of a portfolio of active Helpdesk Requests. Portfolio responsibilities include both analytical work and project management to ensure ongoing collaboration with partners as well as high quality research and analysis outputs.
The SPO plays an essential role in furthering the team’s work in supporting decision makers in low- and middle- income countries translate evidence to practice, generate new learning, and facilitate the sharing of evidence, knowledge, and experience between experts, countries, and stakeholder groups.
If being part of a highly committed and supportive team, working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment to deliver high quality work, and engaging with global and country-level partners to improve education systems sounds like a job that was made for you -- we’d love to read your application; please apply!
Position title: Education Team Senior Program Officer
Location: This position is hybrid on-site/remote and can be hosted by any of R4Ds operating countries.
Position Summary:
As SPO, you will work as part of tight-knit team to provide technical assistance and build strong relationships with partners and education decision makers in low and middle income countries. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate and hone your skills in applied research, facilitation, project management, and partner engagement.
You will be successful in this role if you are a highly-motivated self-starter; a creative problem solver, have strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills; and have a commitment to excellence and producing results. We are a team that is resourceful, responsible, tenacious, high-energy, and always has a positive attitude.
You will have the opportunity to have a significant impact by bringing your experience in education and/or EdTech to a team that has a well developed platform for supporting decision-makers.
Responsibilities:
The SPO will be expected to provide a broad range of technical and project management functions that include, but are not limited to:
· Participates fully as a member of R4D by contributing, assisting, and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management
· Coordinate and collaborate remotely with EdTech Hub’s global teams and experts, providing leadership and input on activities related to specific requests, such as
o Understanding the needs of the requestor and identifying a response team
o Developing terms of reference and workplans to guide requests and developing and managing a corresponding budget
o undertaking research or synthesizing existing evidence on country context and EdTech tools and innovation;
o developing guidance materials, draft strategies, and related policy advice and
o producing other knowledge products that help address decision-maker needs and questions on EdTech.
· Lead the development of high-quality work products and deliverables, including presentations, concept notes, thought pieces, briefing materials, blog posts, newsletters, meeting summaries, and e-communications to share with both internal and external audiences. Track progress of various products against larger EdTech Hub milestones and targets.
· Develop and facilitate workshops and/or participate in events where key stakeholders (government and development partners) may be present in order to support capacity development and/or program and policy design; these may be virtual or in-person
· Oversee the delivery of technical assistance and products through management of workstream, personnel, and budgets, etc.
· Manage and guide various EdTech Hub’s roster of technical consultants (Specialist network) to build and strengthen quality of expertise
· Stay up-to-date with regional and country level trends within the education and EdTech landscape to identify potential opportunities for business development and new areas for technical assistance
· Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on technical and policy issues related to the use of technology in international education
· Strengthen EdTech Hub networks and influence in relevant communities at the intersection of ecosystems of research, international development, education, and technology.
· Support other workstreams within EdTech Hub and across R4D’s Global Education team as needs and opportunities arise.
· Contribute to business development initiatives
· Support the development and maintenance of positive relationships with multiple stakeholders, including within R4D and with partner and funding organizations.
· Participates fully as a member of R4D by contributing, assisting and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by R4D management.”
Qualifications:
Successful candidates are likely to have the following qualifications:
· Undergraduate / graduate training in international development, education, social sciences, or related field;
· 8-10 years of relevant work experience in education and/or edtech
· Experience working in or with low- and middle- income countries
· Exceptional oral & written communications skills;
· Ability to deliver high-quality outputs and results within tight timeframes;
· Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects
· Excellent project management and problem solving skills;
· Comfort working with a diverse team of colleagues from many different countries, cultures, and backgrounds
· Demonstrated experience in international education, preferably EdTech
· Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Word; and
· Full professional fluency in written and spoken English.
· Preferred but not required: fluent in written and spoken French, Spanish or Portuguese.
Additionally, R4D prizes people who are:
· Good and active listeners and facilitators;
· Productive, energetic, creative and task oriented;
· Adept at exchanging constructive feedback;
· Multilingual
· Equally comfortable and capable working independently and in teams;
· Highly collaborative and approachable; and
· Enthusiastic about joining a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering
and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.
