Overview
The Country Engagement Manager will lead country-level delivery, government engagement, and policy influencing for a regional education programme. The role acts as the primary in-country representative, working with senior government counterparts to secure approvals, guide implementation, and inform policy dialogue.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary in-country focal point for engagement with the Ministry of Education and relevant government agencies.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior ministry counterparts.
- Lead engagement to position pilots as a credible contribution to national priorities and institutionalise learning.
- Support policy dialogue and advocacy linked to foundational learning and pilot objectives.
- Identify technical assistance needs that align with programme objectives.
- Navigate shifting government priorities and adapt engagement and delivery.
- Supervise the design oversight and implementation of country pilot(s).
- Coordinate implementing partners, advisers, and consultants.
- Manage country-level budgets, workplans, and delivery risks.
- Ensure pilots comply with national requirements and secure government approvals.
- Facilitate country-level research, evidence generation, and learning activities.
- Ensure country evidence and lessons are documented and fed into national and regional learning processes.
- Support the translation of pilot learning into policy-relevant insights.
- Work closely with the Foundational Learning Lead, Team Leader, and regional advisers to ensure alignment.
- Support the integration of technical inputs into country implementation.
- Participate in regional coordination and learning exchanges.
- Lead and support country-based teams and consultants.
- Ensure effective planning, reporting, and coordination with the PMU.
- Contribute to adaptive management, risk mitigation, and programme reporting.
Required Experience
- Minimum 8 years’ experience in education programming, with demonstrated seniority in delivery, coordination, or advisory roles.
- Extensive experience engaging with the Ministry of Education, including at senior technical or policy levels.
- Deep understanding of the national education system, operational environment, and political economy.
- Strong, established networks with government education actors and relevant national stakeholders.
- Proven ability to manage teams, budgets, and implementing partners.
- Demonstrated ability to support policy dialogue, reform processes, or advocacy in the education sector.
- Strong leadership, diplomacy, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to represent the programme credibly with senior national counterparts.
- Prior experience leading or overseeing education pilots or innovation programmes.
- Experience working on donor-funded programmes (e.g. FCDO, DFAT, World Bank, EU).
- Familiarity with foundational learning, systems reform, EdTech, or inclusion agendas.
