Project Director - Education

TITLE:   Project Director - Education

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Operations

LOCATION: Lusaka Zambia

GRADE: NAT 1

Safeguarding :

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Save the Children International’s Diversity Policy, aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and to ban any kind of discrimination based on sex, age, social class, disability, HIV status, religion, race and ethnicity

Role Purpose:

Save the Children is seeking a Project Director (PD) for the Global Partnership for Education Program in Zambia. Save the Children is selected as the Grant Agent for Zambia GPE Partnership Compact. Save the Children Zambia has been awarded the role of Grant Agent for the implementation of all three components namely Systems Transformation Grant (STG), Multiplier Grant, and Systems Capacity Grant (SCG). 

The GPE Partnership Compact Grant will contribute to transform the education system, dramatically increasing access to education, improve quality of education, while also making service delivery more equitable, inclusive, efficient, and effective, and strengthening the capacity of the Government to deliver on its mandate in reducing learning poverty in the country.

The Project Director is a senior leadership role and will provide overall strategic direction in the design, management, implementation, and overall quality assurance of the GPE funded education portfolio and be the Laison between Save the Children, the donor and Ministry of Education. The Project Director will be the primary point of contact with the donor and be responsible for the sustainability of project interventions while ensuring coordination and compliance to donor regulations and SCI policies.

The Project Director will be responsible for strategic leadership and for developing a strong vision and implementation of the GPE Compact working with the Ministry of Education to incorporate evidence-based approaches and innovative strategies towards achievement of the project. They will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders including the cooperating partners, policy Implementation Technical committees and participate in policy dialogues, including creating synergy with the larger GPE portfolio in the country

Scope Of Role:

• Reports to: Country Director 
• Staff reporting to this post:  GPE Program Team
• Budget Responsibilities: $14 Million

Role Dimensions: The role holder will closely work with both Save the Children teams including Country Director, Director Program Development and Quality, Director Programs and Operations,  and Country office Techncial Team in providing oversight of the GPE program; and the Project Implementation Unit , Zambia Ministry of Education (MoE) leadership including  the permanent secretaries, the education directors and other education specialists at the MoE. The role holder will also collaborate with all stakeholders working in the education system in Zambia

Key Areas Of Accountability :

Strategic and Technical Leadership

• Responsible for strategic leadership and ensuring an integrated vision among different components and stakeholders and focusing on achieving the overall impact of the program in line with the GPE Compact. 
• Responsible for participating in SCI – Zambia Senior Management Team (SMT) providing program progress and responding to senior level issues as they occur
• Ensure program success through high-quality leadership and oversight.
• The PD will be responsible for the technical oversight of the project and is responsible for effective communication between donor, Grant Agent and Coordnating Agency
• S/he will be responsible for provide technical leadership to the programme, documentation and dissemination of quality reports ,innovation and good practices and establishing, maintaining and expanding partner relations for the sector. 
• The PD will be providing technical and program oversight in the design and day-to-day management of implementation to increase the demand for quality priority education services and community engagement activities. 

Program Implementation and Impact 

• Provide support on quality  reviews of the annual and quarterly work plans, and overall oversight of the program in line with GPE guidelines to achieve project objectives.
• Responsible for program support and ensure timely disbursemnets of funds for implementation and operations in line with GPE regulations, procedures, and Save the Children guidelines.
• Support a rigorous approach to learning and adaptation driven by data that, in consultation with government, donor, and education sector, leads to refinements and adjustments to the projects technical approaches and annual work plans and allows for timely and accurate decision-making;
• Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation and ensuring joint monitoring and project review processes.
• Direct transparent communications with partners, including negotiating scopes of work, addressing requisite revisions in programmatic work, and troubleshooting issues that may arise.
• Maintain oversight of high-risk areas, including but not limited to procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and staff security.

Contract Management, Risk and Compliance

• The PD is responsible for overall financial management, risk management, and establishing compliance with GPE regulations, procedures, and Save the Children guidelines.

Staff Management

• The PD is responsible for building a strong working collaboration with the Project Implementation team for support and timely delivery of project and reports. 

Representation, And Relationship Management:

• Represent Save the Children on key policy networks with partners and key stakeholders including Minsitry of Education, maintaining positive relationships with donors, local education actors, and the Zambia country office team.
• Incorporate SC’s vision and values and full adherence to Code of Conduct principles.
• The DP will be based in Lusaka but with frequent (approx. 70% travel) in country travel with occasional international travel.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Qualifications

Master’s degree in a relevant area of expertise preferred, such as education or international /Development studies. Bachelor’s degree required

Experience And Skills

Essential

• A high level background in education and a good understanding of education context preferably in the Southern African/Zambia region
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience designing, managing and implementing large and complex education programs. 
• At least five years of senior program experience working and living in a developing country, ideally in Zambia or Southern Africa 
• In-depth knowledge of GPE approaches and regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Personal commitment to gender equality, child rights and social inclusion.

Experience of working with government systems and understanding program implementation through government systems

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, for-profit private sector entities, local community organizations, donors, consortium members and other stakeholders, at national and sub-national levels.
• Demonstrated experience in building collaborative work relations with Ministry of Education and devolved structures.
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of the dynamics in Zambia  Education system
• Proven track record managing a project team composed of several technical experts and fostering team work
• Strong management skills, leadership qualities, professional reputation, ability to create synergies where applicable, interpersonal skills, and written and oral presentation skills to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the project description.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (professional level proficiency) is mandatory 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 28th October 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection process or thereafter