Education Specialist
The Suyana Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization founded in 2003. We design and implement long-term, integrated development programmes in Bolivia and Peru and collaborate with trusted local partners in Africa. Suyana began its engagement in Africa in 2021 and currently supports several partner-led initiatives, primarily in Rwanda and Uganda.
In Uganda, Suyana currently supports projects implemented by local partners, promoting community empowerment through a holistic approach across health, livelihoods and education. As part of our ambition to strengthen Suyana’s work, we are progressively expanding our technical support, partner accompaniment and programme development capacity in both countries.
This approach allows Suyana to deepen its long-term impact by combining strong local partnerships with high-quality technical accompaniment and, where appropriate in the future, the implementation of Suyana-led initiatives that respond to local priorities and needs.
Position Summary
The Education Specialist strengthens the quality, relevance and development of Suyana’s education work in Uganda, while contributing to regional learning and collaboration where relevant. Working closely with the Uganda Country Coordinator, the MEL Officer, the Regional Programmes Manager Africa and implementing partners, the role supports partners to design, implement and continuously improve high-quality education programmes aligned with national priorities and Suyana’s integrated development approach.
The role combines programme design, field support, capacity strengthening, monitoring and learning, proposal development and stakeholder engagement. It requires a practical professional who is comfortable working with partners, schools, communities and education stakeholders. Frequent field presence is expected so that recommendations are grounded in local realities and contribute to quality, inclusion, sustainability and impact.
Position Details
Duty station: Kampala, Uganda.
Contract type: Full-time employment contract.
Reports to: Regional Programmes Manager Africa, with day-to-day coordination with the Uganda Country Coordinator, the MEL Officer and other technical experts.
Travel: Regular travel to project locations in Uganda and occasional travel within East Africa,especially Rwanda.
Expected start date: To be confirmed.
Candidate eligibility: Applicants should have the right to work in Uganda, unless otherwise agreed by Suyana.
Deadline for Application: 2nd of August
Responsibilities:
We are looking for an experienced education professional who combines strong technical expertise with a collaborative and practical working style.
Personal attributes
- Hands-on attitude and willingness to work closely with partners, schools and communities.
- Strong initiative and ability to identify opportunities and solve problems proactively.
- Empathy, cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse communities.
- Excellent teamwork and ability to build trusting relationships.
- Strong communication, facilitation and listening skills.
- Adaptability and ability to work in changing environments.
- Commitment to continuous learning, quality improvement, inclusion and safeguarding.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage several priorities.
Technical qualifications
- University degree in Education, Educational Planning, Pedagogy, Development Studies or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in education programming, including programme design, advisory support or implementation oversight.
- Strong knowledge of school-based education, foundational learning, teacher development, learning assessment, learner wellbeing, educational inclusion and community engagement.
- Experience supporting education programmes in partnership with local organisations, schools and communities.
- Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, social inclusion and safeguarding in education programming.
- Experience applying child safeguarding and child protection standards in school or community-based education settings.
- Experience contributing to proposal development, quality assurance, project cycle management and results-based programme design.
- Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation systems and using evidence to improve programme quality.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of a Ugandan local language is highly desirable.
- Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft Office and relevant education data or reporting tools.
Desirable
- Master’s degree in Education or a related field.
- Familiarity with Uganda’s education system, including primary education, school governance structures, district-level education coordination and relevant policy frameworks.
- Experience supporting integrated, multi-sectoral education programmes, preferably in holistic community development contexts.
- Experience working in diverse cultural contexts within Uganda.
- Experience supporting local partner organisations and strengthening their technical systems.
Profile and Qualifications
We are looking for an experienced education professional who combines strong technical expertise with a collaborative and practical working style.
Personal attributes
- Hands-on attitude and willingness to work closely with partners, schools and communities.
- Strong initiative and ability to identify opportunities and solve problems proactively.
- Empathy, cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse communities.
- Excellent teamwork and ability to build trusting relationships.
- Strong communication, facilitation and listening skills.
- Adaptability and ability to work in changing environments.
- Commitment to continuous learning, quality improvement, inclusion and safeguarding.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage several priorities.
Technical qualifications
- University degree in Education, Educational Planning, Pedagogy, Development Studies or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in education programming, including programme design, advisory support or implementation oversight.
- Strong knowledge of school-based education, foundational learning, teacher development, learning assessment, learner wellbeing, educational inclusion and community engagement.
- Experience supporting education programmes in partnership with local organisations, schools and communities.
- Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, social inclusion and safeguarding in education programming.
- Experience applying child safeguarding and child protection standards in school or community-based education settings.
- Experience contributing to proposal development, quality assurance, project cycle management and results-based programme design.
- Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation systems and using evidence to improve programme quality.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of a Ugandan local language is highly desirable.
- Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft Office and relevant education data or reporting tools.
Desirable
- Master’s degree in Education or a related field.
- Familiarity with Uganda’s education system, including primary education, school governance structures, district-level education coordination and relevant policy frameworks.
- Experience supporting integrated, multi-sectoral education programmes, preferably in holistic community development contexts.
- Experience working in diverse cultural contexts within Uganda.
- Experience supporting local partner organisations and strengthening their technical systems.
What Suyana offers:
- Opportunity to join a growing organisation investing in East Africa and strengthening its education portfolio.
- Meaningful role where your expertise contributes to better education opportunities and outcomes.
- Supportive working culture that values initiative, learning, collaboration and long-term engagement.
- Opportunities to contribute to partner-led initiatives and to the development of future Suyana-led programmes.
- Fair and competitive compensation package reflecting experience, responsibility and local conditions.
How to apply
All applications will be received and reviewed through the BrighterMonday Portal by clicking on the ‘Apply Here’ section
Please Note: All applications and inquiries must go strictly through BrighterMonday Uganda. Any applicant who attempts to contact Suyana directly through any means will be instantly disqualified from the selection process.