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 of shaping the world's best technologies for those learning the least. Since our inception in 2017, Fab Inc has steadily expanded, with staff positioned globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through the successful evolution of our AI-for-Education.org initiative, we aim to become the global authority on AI for education in low- and middle-income countries, influencing ecosystem development and establishing standards for quality assurance in AI-EdTech.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Executive Director, providing strategic vision and operational leadership for the Fab-AI Foundation at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth. This role presents a unique opportunity to influence the future of AI in education across low- and middle-income countries, working at the nexus of technology, policy, and development.
Role Overview
The Executive Director will lead Fab-AI’s essential work in artificial intelligence for education. This role demands extraordinary vision in connecting advanced AI technologies with educational transformation in low- and middle-income countries. You will oversee significant grant portfolios, including a large Quality Assurance fund, while forging strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral organizations, delivery partners, and tech developers.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Develop and execute long-term organisational strategy aligned with our mission objectives.
- Shape the global AI-for-education ecosystem through thought leadership and policy advocacy.
- Oversee the development of quality assurance frameworks through rigorous testing and field trials.
- Lead strategic partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank, FCDO, and Gates Foundation, as well as major technology companies and delivery partners in education.
- Programme Management & Delivery
- Ensure effective 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 advisory relationships with governments, particularly regarding AI strategy development and implementation.
- Ensure the successful execution of the Quality Assurance fund.
- Financial & Operational Excellence
- Manage substantial grant portfolios and ensure robust accountability frameworks for sub-granting arrangements.
- Ensure compliance across all international operations and partnerships.
- Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, and financial reporting.
- Lead organizational growth while maintaining programmatic quality and adherence to mission focus.
- External Relations & Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent Fab-AI at international conferences, policy forums, and sector gatherings.
- Foster 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 relations and strategies for funding development.
Essential Qualifications
- PhD 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 in managing multi-million-dollar programs and complex partnerships.
- Deep understanding of challenges faced by the education sector in low- and middle-income countries, particularly regarding foundational literacy and numeracy.
- Experience with building AI technologies and their applications in development contexts.
- Strong relationships within networks in the education sector and with multilateral organizations.
- Experience in developing decision-support tools for effective education system management.
- Familiarity with key data science and software development frameworks (Python, cloud infrastructure, web-app development).
Desired Experience
- Previous executive leadership in not-for-profit or social enterprise settings.
- Government advisory experience, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.
- Understanding of quality assurance frameworks and development of evidence standards.
- Experience with rapid evaluation methodologies and impact measurement.
- Knowledge of open-source technology development and community engagement.
Personal Attributes
- Exceptional communication and representation skills across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Strategic thinking with a focus on operational excellence in program delivery.
- Commitment to equity and inclusion in technology development and deployment.
- Cultural competence for effective collaboration in international contexts.
- Collaborative leadership style suited to mission-driven organizations.
- Proficient in English (both written and spoken).
Due to the nature of this role, international travel is required.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary is competitive and 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 applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background. We maintain a zero tolerance 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.