Team Leader

The role
We are currently looking for Team Leader for GPE System Transformation Grant Project based in Vientiane Capital
Role Purpose
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has received a System Transformation Grant (STG) from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to implement the “Foundational Learning Improvement Project” in disadvantaged communities of 9 districts from 5 provinces: Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Salavanh and Saysomboun. The implementation period is 3.5 years, ideally starting from July 2025 through December 2028. MoES is an implementing agency for the GPE-STG project and Save the Children is a grant agent in providing fiduciary and technical oversight of the grant.
The GPE-STG program has been designed within the approved parameters of the Partnership Compact 2024-2028 that reflects extensive dialogue between the Government and its development partners and is based on a comprehensive analysis of enabling factors and educational data. The priority reform objective of partnership compact is “Improving foundational learning outcomes for all and supporting students in lower secondary”.

To achieving this reform objective, the GPE-STG program design includes the following components:
1. Expand one-year school readiness programs for five-year-old children
2. Strengthen continuous professional development (CPD) for primary school teachers
3. Support girls at risk of dropping out of lower secondary schools

The Team Leader will be working under guidance of GPE-STG Project Director of MoES and Senior Management Team of Save the Children:
• Provide overall managerial and technical support to MoES lead departments to implement GPE-STG project components including project management, budgeting and reporting
• Provide fiduciary and safeguarding oversight of the GPE-STG grant to ensure high quality and timely program implementation
• Ensure strong and regular communication between MoES and Save the Children to report on progress and overcome bottlenecks, if occurred.
• Provide necessary capacity building for MoES staff at central, provincial and district levels on overall program planning and implementation, if required
• Working collaboratively with finance manager for financial management and with M&E manager for updating result frameworks
• Supervise and support contract staff of Project Management Unit (PMU) based in MoES to perform their tasks according to individual job description

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
This position is reserved for Lao nationality only.
KEY AREA OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Program management
• Oversee program planning, management, implementation and ensuring timely and high-quality completion of project milestones
• Provide technical guidance and support to PMU team and MoES lead departments on program planning and implementation based on annual operation plans (AOP)
• Support the development of annual and bi-annual workplan including budgeting through gathering inputs from component coordinators and MoES lead departments
• Conduct monitoring field visits to target districts through coordination with Department of Planning (DoP), lead departments, PESS and DESB
• Organize the management meetings: project steering committee, annual review, etc. by preparing all background papers, contents, etc.
• Hold monthly meetings with DoP, lead departments and SCI for progress update and seek for solutions for any challenges that may occur
• Involved in project mid-line and end-line exercises

Budget/financial management
• Based on annual workplan, keep tracking disbursement against overall budget by breaking down into components (and subcomponents) or implementing agencies (MoES, PESS and DESB) and reporting regularly on budget status
• Oversee budget proposals compared to activity plans submitted from central MoES, PESS and DESB and make recommendations for approval of advance
• Oversee expenditure reports compared to budget proposals and technical reports and make recommendations for clearing advance
• Ensure that all financial records and documentation are kept systematically and available for access for auditing purposes
• Involve in annual audit exercises

Technical capacity for MoES counterparts
• Provide advisory support to MoES lead departments for materials development and implementation of project activities related to school readiness, CPD for teachers and principals, and support girls at risk of dropping out
• Through coordination with MoES lead departments, support materials development, program design for training, coaching and support and feedback on training programs
• Support the organizations of national workshops on annual review meetings, project orientation and launching, preparing background documents, press releases, etc.

Documentation and reporting
• Provide overall quality assurance for documentation and reporting related to project activities, and all types of reporting
• Draft progress reports – quarterly, 6-monthly and annually – through consolidating inputs from component coordinators and MoES lead departments. These reports are in both languages, the Lao version will be shared with MoES leadership and line-ministries, and the English version will be shared with Save the Children and GPE.
• Involve in high level missions and visits from Save the Children Australia and GPE through preparing background papers, contents, provide inputs to aid memoire, etc.

Qualifications And Experience
• At least master’s degree in related field, such as education, social sciences, business administration, with commensurate experience
• At least 10 years of working experience on program operations in relevant field, including at least 5 years in senior leadership position
• Excellent understanding of key issues and strategies for early childhood education, primary and lower secondary education, but not limited to.
• Project management skills in developing and executing project workplans and budgeting, tracking disbursement, monitoring progress and reporting
• Strong networking with MoES officials and officers, including obtaining local knowledge of education system and structure between national and subnational levels
• Demonstrated ability to delivery results, engage in effective and collaborative problem solving and decision making, and fostering program innovations and adaptations
• Excellent English communication skills in both writing and speaking

Contract length: Fixed term

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Pls apply via: https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/job/12134

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.