Education Mission Director (Nairobi, Kenya)

Job Description:

The Pharo Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on economic development in Africa, is seeking an experienced and strategic Education Mission Director to lead its education mission. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Education Mission Director will drive the development of the education mission, ensuring academic excellence and financial sustainability across Pharo Schools. This key position reports directly to the CEO and involves overseeing a diverse education portfolio, including K-12 schools, transformational projects, and tertiary scholarship programs.

Key Relationships:

• Role: Education Mission Director
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
• Direct Reports: Education Programme Lead
• Functional Relationships: Chief Research and Evaluation Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Country Directors, Heads of Education, School Principals, Key Stakeholders, and Regulators

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy:

• Set the strategic vision for the education mission, developing a framework with measurable goals.
• Expand the network of Pharo schools, leading multi-year expansion strategies into new areas.
• Assess the impact of existing programs, make strategic decisions on growth or exit, and design new programs aligned with the mission.
• Represent the Foundation to external stakeholders.

Pharo Schools:

• Oversee launches of new schools, providing leadership to school principals.
• Review and maintain the Pharo School Hallmark, ensuring high academic performance.
• Develop continuous professional development strategies for teaching staff.
• Evaluate and enhance the curriculum, ensuring alignment with global standards.
• Provide leadership during the budgeting process for financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with partners to support school operations and student experience.
• Implement a school management system across all schools.

Education Programme Portfolio:

• Oversee the foundation’s program portfolio, ensuring compliance, budget adherence, and timely execution.
• Foster cross-learning across different country offices and program teams.
• Provide regular updates on program KPIs to the board of trustees.

Compliance:

• Ensure all program activities operate consistently, legally, and ethically, complying with national and international standards.

Management and Leadership:

• Provide leadership to direct reports, coaching and mentoring leaders to perform to their full potential.
• Act as a role model for culture and values, reporting progress to the board of trustees.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum eight years of professional experience, with at least four years in senior leadership.
• Experience in for-profit schools or a group of schools is preferred.
• Relevant professional master’s degree.
• Familiarity with East Africa’s diverse needs and cultures.
• Ability to travel up to 25 percent of the time.

Personal Attributes:

• Attention to detail with a flexible approach.
• Hands-on problem solver with a can-do attitude.
• High professional and ethical standards.
• Structured and data-savvy.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Motivated to learn, challenge the status quo, and introduce positive change.
• Excellent communicator and team player.

Application Procedure:

• Review of applications will occur on a rolling basis.
• Provide a detailed CV, cover letter, and a list of six references.
• Shortlisted candidates will work on a case study as part of the interview process.