Contract Details
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Reports to: Board of Directors
Salary: Competitive based on experience.
About Fab-AI Foundation
The Fab-AI Foundation is the not-for-profit evolution of Fab Inc, dedicated to our core mission: to shape the world's best technologies for those learning the least. Since our establishment in 2017, we have steadily expanded our reach, employing staff across the globe, with a particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. Through the successful evolution of our AI-for-Education.org initiative, we are positioned to become the global authority on AI in education for low- and middle-income countries, influencing ecosystem development and establishing evidence standards for AI-EdTech quality assurance.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Executive Director, providing strategic vision and operational leadership for Fab-AI Foundation during a pivotal moment in our growth. This role presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI in education across low- and middle-income countries, working at the intersection of technology, policy, and development.
Role Overview
The Executive Director will offer strategic leadership for Fab-AI's vital work in artificial intelligence for education. This position demands visionary thinking in bridging cutting-edge AI technologies with transformative education initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. You will oversee significant grant portfolios, including a large Quality Assurance fund focused on quality assurance frameworks and rapid evaluation facilities, while fostering strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral organizations, delivery partners, and technology developers.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Develop and execute long-term organizational strategy aligned with our mission objectives.
- Influence the global AI-for-education ecosystem through thought leadership and policy engagement.
- Oversee quality assurance framework development across lab-based testing and field trials.
- Lead strategic partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank, FCDO, and the Gates Foundation; prominent technology companies; and major educational delivery partners.
- Programme Management & Delivery
- Ensure delivery of complex AI-education initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- Oversee the development of the Fab-AI platform and community engagement.
- Manage relationships with government advisory bodies, particularly in AI strategy development and implementation.
- Ensure successful delivery of the Quality Assurance fund.
- Financial & Operational Excellence
- Manage substantial grant portfolios and sub-granting arrangements with robust accountability frameworks.
- Ensure compliance across all international operations and partnerships.
- Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, and financial reporting.
- Lead organizational growth while maintaining programmatic quality and mission focus.
- External Relations & Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent Fab-AI at international conferences, policy forums, and sector gatherings.
- Cultivate relationships with education ministries, development partners, and technology providers.
- Build coalitions across public, philanthropic, and private sectors to scale sustainable innovation focused on foundational literacy and numeracy.
- Manage high-level donor relationships and funding development strategies.
Essential Qualifications
- PhD degree in economics, education, international development, or technology.
- At least 15 years of experience in international education.
- Published research in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in international development or education technology organizations.
- Proven track record managing multi-million-dollar programs and complex partnerships.
- Deep understanding of education sector challenges in low- and middle-income countries, including foundational literacy and numeracy.
- Experience with building AI technologies and their application in development contexts.
- Strong relationships within education sector networks and multilateral organizations.
- Experience developing decision-support tools for education system management.
- Familiarity with key data science and software development frameworks, including Python, cloud infrastructure, and web-app development.
Desired Experience
- Previous executive leadership in not-for-profit or social enterprise environments.
- Government advisory experience, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.
- Understanding of quality assurance frameworks and evidence standards development.
- Experience with rapid evaluation methodologies and impact measurement.
- Knowledge of open-source technology development and community building.
Personal Attributes
- Exceptional communication and representation skills across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Strategic thinking capability with operational excellence in program delivery.
- Commitment to equity and inclusion in technology development and deployment.
- Cultural competence for working across international contexts.
- Collaborative leadership style suited to mission-driven organizations.
- Proficient in English, both written and spoken.
- International travel is required due to the nature of this role.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary is competitive based on experience and skills. Benefits include:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Pension contributions by the employer
- Education allowances
- 38 days of total time off, inclusive of Bank Holidays
Fab-AI Foundation is committed to inclusive recruitment and welcomes applicants from all qualified candidates regardless of their background. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for safeguarding violations and require adherence to our Code of Conduct.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.