Head of Education / Head of Education

Position Summary

The Head of Education will be IFFEd’s senior education leader, driving partnerships with multilateral development banks and IFFEd-eligible countries to deliver transformative programmes and measurable impact. This role will ensure IFFEd remains at the cutting edge—innovative, data-driven, and relentlessly focused on results for children and youth worldwide.

IFFEd is seeking a dynamic, visionary education leader with a passion for innovation and delivery. The successful candidate will help shape and grow IFFEd’s Education team, lead the development of IFFEd’s education impact strategy, and turn financing into real change in classrooms and communities across the globe.

Key Responsibilities

The priority responsibilities of the Head of Education will be as follows:

• Education Strategy & Thought Leadership:
  • Lead the implementation and refinement of IFFEd’s education strategy, collaborating closely with IFFEd’s partners and the Education, Results, and Innovation Board Committee.
  • Serve as IFFEd’s principal external voice on education at key forums, advancing discussions on measuring results, innovative financing, and improving program implementation.
  • Develop content and thought pieces on education on behalf of IFFEd.
  • Advise the CEO and Board on all education-related matters.
  • Build strategic alliances with multilateral development banks (MDBs), contributors, philanthropies, and other key education ecosystem players and partners.
• Pipeline Leadership & Quality Assurance:
  • Collaborate closely with MDBs to develop IFFEd’s project pipeline.
  • Review and quality-assure investment cases, providing feedback to MDBs and engaging IFFEd Contributors in the process.
  • Lead the semi-annual pipeline review with MDBs, monitoring indicative allocations and performance of MDBs in utilizing IFFEd resources, and preparing recommendations for the IFFEd Board.
  • Develop key tools and refine processes to manage IFFEd’s pipeline process.
• Support Offering to MDBs and Countries:
  • Develop, test, and implement support offerings to MDBs and countries, including partnerships that strengthen research, evidence use, data, and implementation capacity of governments/MDBs.
  • Structure and lead IFFEd flagship education events and/or regional MDB roundtables.
  • Stay informed and coordinate with initiatives across the education landscape to avoid duplication and amplify impact.
• Results, Reporting, and Learning:
  • Finalize and operationalize targets and indicators consistent with IFFEd’s results framework.
  • Oversee the internal and external reporting of IFFEd results, including consolidating education results from MDBs to IFFEd, and from IFFEd to Contributors and the Board.
  • Develop an education impact narrative and produce briefs showcasing IFFEd’s contribution to education development.
  • Define and implement a practical learning agenda to foster IFFEd as a learning organization.
• Board Committee on Education Results, Innovation and Partnerships:
  • Work closely with the Committee Chair to establish the IFFEd Board Committee on Education Results, Innovation, and Partnerships.
  • Liaise with the Committee Chair to establish and implement the Committee’s work program.
  • Serve as the key point of contact for the Committee Chair.
• Cross-Functional Leadership and Team Management:
  • Collaborate with the IFFEd Board, Committees, CEO, and management team to refine IFFEd’s strategy and drive implementation.
  • Build, mentor, and manage a small, high-performing team of education experts to support IFFEd’s mission.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in Education, Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of experience leading education and skills programs in the Global South.
• Proven track record of developing and/or implementing large-scale education interventions, including loan operations. Experience working with multilateral development banks is a plus.
• Excellent understanding of education and skills challenges in lower-middle-income countries.
• Demonstrated success in shaping innovative approaches to address education and skills challenges.
• Experience living and working in the Global South is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated passion for IFFEd’s mission to achieve quality education for all.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to innovatively implement solutions.
• Deep understanding of the structure and operations of multilateral development banks.
• Proven ability to make evidence-based decisions.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation methodologies and best practices in education and international development.
• A robust network of connections to influential philanthropies, researchers, and innovative organizations in the education sector.
• Demonstrated capacity to build, lead, and mentor teams, foster partnerships, and communicate effectively.

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.