Associate Director Of Programs

Job Description

The Luminos Fund is a fast-growing international nonprofit organization committed to expanding education opportunities for vulnerable children worldwide. The organization seeks an experienced and strategic Associate Director of Programs to support the implementation and scale-up of two flagship education initiatives in Ethiopia: the Structured Accelerated Learning Program (SALP) and Structured Pedagogy for Enhanced Learning for Life (SPELL).

This position plays a critical role in supporting the progressive integration of evidence-based education interventions into government systems at scale while ensuring program excellence, operational effectiveness, strategic communications, and long-term sustainability.

Internal Relationships

The role works closely with the Ethiopia country team, Development team, Communications team, and global Luminos colleagues. While the role does not currently include direct reports, it is expected to provide coordination and light management oversight across multiple program workstreams.

About The Luminos Fund

The Luminos Fund delivers transformative education programs that help vulnerable children accelerate learning and return to grade-level education. Through partnerships with community organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, Luminos expands educational access using evidence-based approaches designed to improve long-term learning outcomes.

Program Background

The Ethiopia program currently scales two structured pedagogy interventions through government systems:

• Structured Accelerated Learning Program (SALP): An accelerated education model that compresses Grades 1 and 2 into a 10-month learning cycle for out-of-school children through structured lesson delivery, teacher coaching, and data-driven instruction.
• Structured Pedagogy for Enhanced Learning for Life (SPELL): A foundational literacy intervention focused on improving Grade 1 classroom learning through structured teaching methods and coaching support.

A major strategic objective of both programs is the gradual transfer of implementation ownership to Regional Education Bureaus as the programs mature.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop high-quality presentations and briefing materials for donors and stakeholders.
• Prepare communication materials for staff meetings, government reviews, workshops, and communication initiatives.
• Draft, edit, and maintain program updates, reports, memos, and synthesis documents aligned with organizational standards.
• Present program performance data and learning outcomes in clear and accessible formats.

Proposal Development and Scale Planning Support

• Support proposal development by ensuring accurate program narratives, scale assumptions, and budget alignment.
• Develop and maintain scenario-based scale plans and cost models.
• Translate operational assumptions into structured budgeting frameworks.
• Provide technical inputs, program evidence, and supporting documentation for proposal development.
• Maintain updated implementation documentation including timelines, reach figures, and program models.

Project Management and Organizational Systems

• Lead and continuously improve project management systems and infrastructure.
• Maintain RASCI matrices, workplans, milestone trackers, and implementation schedules.
• Develop systems to monitor action items, decisions, and follow-up activities.
• Support SharePoint administration and ensure structured document management.
• Identify coordination challenges and propose practical operational improvements.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be resourceful, analytical, highly organized, and committed to advancing education outcomes through evidence-based programming.

Key Skills and Experience

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills for diverse stakeholder audiences.
• Strong quantitative and analytical capability including cost modeling and scenario planning.
• Ability to interpret program dashboards and synthesize operational insights.
• Advanced PowerPoint skills and experience creating professional presentations.
• Experience with data visualization tools is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience managing project systems and organizational workflows.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Experience working with government education systems in Ethiopia is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of structured pedagogy, accelerated education, or foundational literacy programs is an advantage.

About You

Education and Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant program management experience in a related sector.
• Demonstrated experience supporting proposal development and donor reporting.
• Experience building cost models and scale-planning frameworks.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic.

Core Attributes

• Strong passion for education, child development, and international development initiatives.
• Resourceful, proactive, and solution-oriented approach to work.
• Willingness to contribute beyond formal responsibilities when required.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality outputs.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced and evolving work environments.
• Strong autonomy while maintaining clear communication with leadership.
• Excellent time management and deadline management skills.
• Continuous learning mindset and intellectual curiosity.
• Strong integrity, confidentiality, and professional discretion.
• Commitment to transparency, collaboration, and inclusive teamwork.

Travel Requirements

Regular travel within Ethiopia, particularly to Sidama, Tigray, and Oromia regions, is expected. Occasional international travel for donor engagements and organizational collaboration may also be required.

Luminos Core Beliefs and Values

• Every child is capable of meaningful learning when given the opportunity.
• Children’s joy and well-being remain central to all program decisions.
• Assessment is essential to effective teaching and learning.
• Local leadership and community ownership are actively promoted.
• Research, data, and evidence drive continuous improvement.
• Programs celebrate and respect local cultures and contexts.
• Integrity, accountability, and care guide all interactions.
• Initiative and problem-solving are encouraged across the organization.
• Inclusion and diversity are foundational organizational commitments.
• Long-term, authentic partnerships are valued and strengthened.

Skills Required:

• Education / Teaching / Training