Senior Relationship and Program Manager at Education Partnerships Group

Jacobs Foundation and EPG are looking to hire a Senior Relationship and Program Manager based in Ghana on an initial 7-month renewable contract, with a view to becoming the Jacobs Foundation’s country director, running a small team, as work scales up over that next years. In the short term, Jacobs is seeking to undertake a stakeholder mapping of the education sector in Ghana and develop a strategy to determine the Foundation’s role in the country. This is expected to take 40% of his/her time. The remaining 60% will be spent working with the Education Partnerships Group (EPG) on projects supported by Jacobs Foundation funding in the country.

This is a full-time position, reporting to Program Lead at the Jacobs Foundation and with dotted line to a Senior Program Manager at EPG – for EPG related work. The role would be based in Ghana and would include 10% international travel.

The selected candidate will:

• Lead a stakeholder mapping exercise in line with Jacobs Foundation areas of interest.
• Work with the Jacobs Foundation team to develop a country strategy for Ghana, in line with Jacobs Foundation’s organizational strategy, to catalyse and manage multi- stakeholder partnerships aimed at improving quality education in Ghana with a focus on pursuing change of policy and practice.
• Identify and establish key partnerships for Jacobs long term success in Ghana.
• Keep abreast of the latest research, news and trends in Ghanaian education, developments in the country and to share this information with relevant stakeholders.
• Work with, and under the direction of, EPG on the design and development of key policy reforms including on

To qualify for the role you must have:

• Significant professional experience in international development
• Advanced university degree (ideally in Education, International Relations, Social Sciences, Politics or MBA)
• Experience designing and delivering on major organisational strategies
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in the field of education
• Excellent relationship management skills, and experience with managing multi- stakeholders partnerships with private and public partners
• A strong track record in complex, end to end, project management, particularly in low- or middle-income countries
• Excellent written and oral communication, as well as negotiation skills in English
• Experience in analysing and interpreting data, including familiarity with research and evaluation methodologies
• Independent and result-oriented workstyle as well as being a critical thinker
• Experience in leading and managing small and agile teams

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• Previous professional experience in Ghana
• Experience in advocacy and engagement with government
• Experience in research and evaluation design and delivery
• Experience of work in grant management

Jacobs Foundation offers

• A challenging, diverse and supportive working environment
• Modern employment conditions in an international, dynamic and entrepreneurial environment
• Opportunity to play a key role in the development and execution of the Jacobs Foundation ambitious 2021 to 2030 strategy
• An exciting area of work at the intersection of social impact, impact investment and professional financial management.