Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)
Closing date: 28 Feb 2020
Franks Family Foundation - New Generation Schools Laos (NGSL) Pilot
Program Manager
New Generation Schools (NGS) is an innovative public-philanthropic partnership, supporting public schools to deliver high-quality education across the country. Established in 2011, the NGS Cambodia (NGSC) initiative has achieved immediate success and been placed at the forefront of the Cambodian government’s recent educational reforms. With thousands of kids already involved, NGSC is set to expand to 50 schools with two in every province.
As a core partner in NGSC, the Franks Family Foundation (FFF) is now establishing a pilot programme in Laos in agreement with the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). The FFF is a UK-based foundation working to make the world more educated, health and meritocratic, and has years of experience delivering successful education and health projects across South East Asia. You can find more information here – www.thefff.org
The NGS Laos (NGSL) pilot aims to achieve the same high standards of excellent teaching, facilities and governance so that Lao students can access the education they need to thrive in the modern economy. The NGS charter school model will work in existing public schools and expand on the national curriculum to also teach key skills in ICT, English language and STEM subjects. Through optimizing the allocation of existing resources and topping up modest philanthropic funds, and actively engaging with local communities and government, NGSL will turn public schools into true centers of excellence.
To achieve this, the FFF will need an exceptional NGSL team who can develop the programme through its initiation, planning and implementation. This will require building the organization, as well as assessing schools, developing technical proposals, curriculums and cultivating key relationships with the Lao government and stakeholders around the world.
We are looking for talented, passionate individuals who are natural problem solvers, who believe in the values and model of NGS, and who committed to achieving the highest standards of education in Laos.
Vision: Through NGSL, Lao youth will have the education and skills to compete in ASEAN's 21st-century economy in line with the achievement of SDG4, reducing poverty and vulnerability to poverty around the country.
Mission: To achieve our vision, NGSL pilot will aim to achieve the following:
Access: NGSL schools are equitably accessible for students, particularly disadvantaged students including girls, the disabled and those both in poverty and vulnerable to poverty.
Quality: NGSL schools provide a genuinely high quality education that both enhances the national curriculum with extra hours and resources for STEM subjects and English language.
Sustainability: NGSL schools achieve exceptional value for money, and can phase out donor support to sustain themselves through local government and community engagement.
Scale: The success of the NGS pilot can drive expansion around the country, and tens of thousands of young people access the high-quality education they deserve.
NGSL Program Manager
The role of the Program Manager (PM) is to translate the model of NGS Cambodia into the Lao public education system. As a program of the FFF, the PM will build the NGSL team, and, working closely with the Ministry of Education & Sport (MoES) and many other stakeholders, plan and implement an exceptional pilot that will demonstrate the potential of NGS across the country.
If you are an innovative entrepreneurial leader, committed to delivering the highest standards of access, quality and engagement in education, we would love to hear from you. Post is open to both local and international candidates. Lao nationals are highly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
§ Leadership: Overall vision, leadership and guidance of the project’s strategy, implementation and organizational development. Accountable for overall programme performance. Reporting to FFF Director.
§ Programme Management: Proposal development for MoES and MoFA, planning and budget forecasting, technical research and school needs assessments, supplier negotiations as well as programme implementation, M&E and reporting.
§ Communications: Cultivate strong relationships with MoES, schools, other NGOS and external actors. Build the NGS Laos brand and reputation amongst key audiences. Represent NGS Laos in external events and conferences as needed.
§ Finance: Oversee effective financial management of NGS Laos including expenditure and financial reporting to the FFF and MoES. Ensure NGS Laos meets all Lao financial regulations and maintain audit readiness.
§ Administration: Ensure NGS Laos meets all administrative regulatory requirements for Lao operations. Develop the organisation including recruitment and management of high quality staff and consultants.
Required Education, Skills & Experience:
§ Relevant degree in education, development, economics or related field. Preferably a postgraduate qualification.
§ 6-10 years’ experience managing complex multi-year development programs in South East Asia, preferably in Laos.
§ Experience in programme leadership, strategic planning and organizational development in nonprofits
§ Extensive experience in managing results-based programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as budgeting and procurement, including supplier negotiations.
§ Experience in strategic stakeholder relationship management, particularly building strong relationships with Lao government entities, as well as other governments, international NGOs, institutional donors, and private companies.
§ Proven experience in programme financial management and administration in Laos including good knowledge of Lao government regulations and requirements for nonprofits.
§ Native or fluent in Lao (written and verbal). Fluent in English (written and verbal)
§ Entrepreneurial leader, who is committed to the values and mission of the FFF as well as the NGS model.
§ Demonstrated knowledge about education and development in Laos.
§ Energetic, innovative and excited by a challenging role.
§ Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills.
How to apply:
Please send a short CV as well as a cover letter outlining your experience and motivation for the role as well as your salary expectations and current notice period to chloe@thefff.org. The deadline is 5:pm Laos time (UTC+7) on Friday 28h February.