About the opportunity
The Country Lead will spearhead the delivery of the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) in Namibia, a prospective $12M+ initiative launching in 2027 to transform early childhood development (ECD). Working in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), the role involves strategic leadership, stakeholder management, and oversight of program implementation, including evaluation, budget management, and sustainability planning. The Country Lead will represent EOF nationally, facilitate governance and capacity-strengthening workshops, and build collaborative relationships with government, donors, and implementing partners to ensure the program’s success and long-term integration into public policy. This position requires a mission-driven leader capable of navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments to drive systems change at scale.
Salary and benefits
- Opportunity to lead a high-impact, mission-driven initiative to transform education systems.
- Professional development through cross-country learning and knowledge-sharing within the EOF and UNOPS global network.
- Engagement in strategic, high-level advocacy and policy-shaping work in the education sector.
- Competitive compensation package commensurate with the LICA 11 level.
Who can apply?
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 9 years of experience leading programs in Namibia, ideally in the education sector.
- Direct experience working with the Government of Namibia.
- Proven experience leading a team and managing multiple stakeholders across complex, strategic projects.
- Fluent in English.
- Desired: Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Desired: Prior experience working with donors and international organizations in the education sector in Namibia.
- Desired: Experience with results-/outcomes-based financing, innovative finance, or large donor-funded initiatives.
- Desired: Experience in evaluation design and/or management.
- Desired: Fluency in Afrikaans.
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter (typically required for UNOPS applications)
When to apply
- Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of 2026-08-30.
How to apply
- Visit the official UNOPS careers marketplace portal.
- Locate the 'Country Lead, Namibia' job posting.
- Click the 'Apply' button to initiate the application process.
- Log in or create an account to submit your application materials.
- Ensure all required information is submitted before the deadline.
Additional information
- UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- UNOPS will never request payments of any kind during the recruitment process.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
- Background checks are conducted for all final candidates.
- UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunity.
- The position is a LICA 11 contract type.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Experienced leaders with a background in education, public policy, or international development.
- Professionals with a proven track record of navigating the Namibian government and local stakeholder landscapes.
- Individuals with expertise in outcomes-based financing or large-scale donor-funded initiatives.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role requires deep, pre-existing knowledge of Namibia's education sector and government structures.
- As a high-level leadership position, the scope involves managing complex, multi-stakeholder environments which may be demanding.
- Applicants should be prepared for rigorous background checks and a competitive selection process typical of LICA 11 roles.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position is perfect for a mission-driven leader aiming to spearhead a major, $12M+ systems-change initiative. It provides a platform to influence national policy and gain high-level experience in innovative finance within the education sector.
Our take
This is a senior role best suited for established professionals with significant experience in Namibia. Those without prior experience working with the Namibian government or in large-scale education programs may find the requirements challenging.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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