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 Technical 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.
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.
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 Ministry of Education, maintaining positive relationships with donors, local education actors, and the Zambia country office team.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
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.
Desireable
- 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.
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
