Director of Program Operations is an exciting opportunity to lead and expand GEC’s transformative work and to make a lasting difference in the lives of girls and their communities.
Millions of girls around the world are out of school, simply because they are girls. Girls Education Collaborative (GEC) works to support local changemakers in those locales, using the power of girls’ education to drive social change.
Since its founding in 2012, GEC has been an ally to change agents in Tanzania whose vision is to lift women out of poverty and away from destructive gender-based cultural traditions, through the power of girls education. GEC has been a funder, advisor, co-developer, project manager, and friend in helping local leaders achieve their vision – what we call allyship.
The Kitenga Girls Secondary School in Northern Tanzania stands as the cornerstone of GECs commitment to affecting change through allyship. Over the last 12 years, GEC has played a vital role co-designing programs and infrastructure developments with The Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa (IHSA,) supporting their vision in building the Kitenga Girls Secondary School (KGSS) and transforming the lives of girls.
By providing partnership, technical assistance, and securing over $2 million in financial support, GEC supports the IHSA vision to create a safe and high-quality educational environment for girls in an underserved region and ensure girls receive the education they deserve. Now in its eighth year, KGSS offers residential education to 230 students, with plans for enrollment to reach 350 as the school continues to expand. Our longstanding relationship and success of the school is proof that the model works.
GEC helps girls transform their own lives through education and believes in the values of:
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Curiosity
- Collaboration
- Agility
- Cultural sensitivity
Based on the success of the GEC partnership model with the IHSA, GEC scaled in 2021 to create the Ally Funder Alliance. The Ally Funder Alliance is a philanthropic model to accelerate the pace and volume of philanthropic funding and allyship directed towards authentic community-born development. Created and managed by GEC, the Ally Funder Alliance (AFA) brings together a deliberately small group of like-minded funders to provide unrestricted funding and other assistance to early-stage, promising, and locally-driven girl-centered organizations. Read more about the Ally Funder Alliance here.
The Opportunity
The Director of Programs Operations (DPO) will play a pivotal leadership role in driving the strategic direction and execution of GEC’s initiatives and relationships in East Africa. This successful candidate must be a resourceful, solutions-driven individual who can oversee, manage, and implement programs while working directly with partners in Tanzania. This is a role for a strategic thinker and creative problem solver, who will be proactive while understanding local challenges. The successful candidate will partner closely with the KGSS Head of School to support sustainable and impactful programs.
The DPO will bring a strong strategic mindset and a relationship-driven approach, with a deep commitment to advancing global gender equality through education. A deep understanding of international development, particularly within East and West Africa, and recognition of the cultural nuances specific to these regions are essential. The DPO will also be a passionate advocate for gender equity and poverty alleviation, leveraging their experience to drive meaningful outcomes.
GEC’s approach contrasts with traditional philanthropic models that often rely on short-term funding cycles and external control which can lack the long-term impact that community-driven solutions provide. By fostering this sense of shared responsibility and collective ownership, GEC supports and partners with the local community so that they are at the forefront of their development journey as they best understand their challenges
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and expand GEC’s transformative work in some of the world’s most challenging environments and to make a lasting difference in the lives of girls and their communities.
Candidate Profile
Strong candidates will offer the following:
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional skills, experience, and characteristics:
- Proven experience in program management and strategy development within the nonprofit sector, including complex project management and reporting.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Demonstrated track record in developing, cultivating, and maintaining effective partnerships and relationships.
- Extraordinary relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- High level of emotional intelligence (self-awareness and empathy).
- Ability to work collaboratively and build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience working in East Africa or similar contexts and comfortable traveling and working in rural and remote conditions.
- Ability to travel to Tanzania at least twice a year for relationship development and program implementation, with additional domestic and international travel as needed for networking and learning.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Social Sciences, International Development, Nonprofit Management) preferred.
Program Expertise
- Collaborate with leadership in the U.S. and Tanzania to develop and implement program strategies aligned with organizational missions and project goals.
- Co-develop and execute a comprehensive program communications strategy to enhance program visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Support grant writing and fundraising efforts to secure resources for program sustainability.
- Manage and expand the Ally Funder Alliance to strengthen partnerships and support program objectives.
Relationship Builder & Cultural Understanding
- Build and maintain relationships with local partners in East Africa to support program success and sustainability.
- Develop and nurture collaborative networks that benefit GEC’s partners, fostering long-term, impactful relationships.
- Work with cross-functional teams, funders, and site teams to drive program success.
- Recognize that communities in East Africa are at varying stages of development and will approach partnerships with flexibility, adapting to the specific needs, capacities, and goals of each community to foster genuine and sustainable progress.
Program Operations and Project Management
- Oversee and refine program reporting, documentation, and communication processes across teams and stakeholders.
- Manage the organization’s program budget and resources, optimizing for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
- Will work with outside vendors to manage HR, technology, and operations as needed.
- Identify and explore opportunities for program expansion and growth.
- Analyze data to identify areas for improvement and ensure regular reports for stakeholders.
- Ensure program compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational policies, including grant proposal and progress report submissions.
Strategy and Execution
- Lead and manage GEC’s program strategy and implementation to align with organizational mission and goals.
- Develop and maintain systems for monitoring and evaluating program outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement.
- Analyze data to identify areas for improvement and prepare regular reports for stakeholders.
- Be a collaborative thought-partner for grant proposals, progress reports, and other documentation required by funders.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000. GEC offers a health insurance co-payment.
Contact
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Alicia Salerno and Amanda Lauder. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
GEC is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm’s website.