Consultant (Education, Finance, and Planning) at OPM | May 2024

Oxford Policy Management is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated education planning, finance and systems specialist to join its Education Practice as a Consultant in its Education Finance & Planning team. 

The primary purpose of the role is to manage and deliver education consultancy projects in the region and globally, while supporting strategic direction and business development. 

The successful candidate will report to the leader of the Education finance and planning hub. Eager to contribute to and in some cases lead the technical delivery of education consultancy projects, (including project management, acquisition and sharing technical learning across projects in Education), the candidate will have a strong understanding of public education systems. We will ask you to work on a range of education planning and financing reform across low- and middle-income countries, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa.

This is an exciting opportunity to manage projects (or project workstreams) to achieve objectives for project impact and quality, business development, and learning and external influencing. Establishing and managing relationships with multiple clients and the ability to build work with new clients will be an important skill required.

This role can be based in Kenya or Tanzania and will involve occasional international travel as required for projects. 

Day to day responsibilities will include (not exhaustive):

• Working with the Education finance and planning hub lead to expand OPM’s portfolio of education finance, planning and systems reform projects and contribute to refining the hub’s strategy.
• Delivering high quality technical work on projects in the hub and the practice. 
• Contributing substantially to the design and delivery of diagnostic studies for strengthening public financing systems in education such as budget analysis, fiscal space analysis, public expenditure reviews and public expenditure tracking surveys.
• Providing analytical support in the development of national and sub-national education sector analysis and education sector plans.
• Analysing government budgeting and planning systems and processes and identify opportunities to prioritize efficient financing of education.   
• Developing content and deliver training to government and donor partners on improving education planning and financing.
• Undertaking costing and cost-effectiveness studies of education interventions.
• Leading or managing key education projects or projects workstreams and deliver them to high standards within planned timelines and budget.
• Defining, developing and delivering tenders and business opportunities for key clients in line with practice acquisition and diversification targets.
• Representing OPM and the education practice externally on key policy questions, through writing, presenting, discussing, hosting roundtables or meetings.

Successful candidates will be able to meet the essential skills, knowledge and criterion in order to be considered at shortlisting stage: 

• Minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as economics, public administration, statistics, development studies, or a related field. (Any professional qualifications in finance will be an added advantage).
• Demonstrable and extensive professional experience in development consulting, of which at least 2 years in areas of public finance management, sector planning or systems strengthening.
• Experience in analysis of development statistics, macroeconomic data and budget data in low- and middle-income countries. Practical experience in any of the following areas is preferred – costing and cost-effectiveness studies, education sector analysis, education sector plans. Experience of working embedded in government to support in planning, budgeting and systems strengthening is an added advantage.
• Experience of contributing to tenders and business development in a relevant consulting environment for key clients e.g. FCDO, USAID, UN, EU, Foundations. Strong sector and market knowledge of key education funders and trends in education finance and sector planning is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with high levels of attentiveness to diverse audiences; ability to communicate complex technical issues to diverse audiences in a clear and simple manner
• Ability to work in English (essential), and preferably at least one relevant foreign language
• (Preferred): Experience of directly working with senior donor and government counterparts in delivering technical work; experience of leading technical and commercial discussions with senior government officials and staff of international aid agencies.
• (Preferred): Demonstrated project and people management experience, within a consulting environment
• (Preferred): Experience in managing budgets and financial management of projects 
• (Preferred): The pre existing right to be employed in Kenya or Tanzania

Candidate skills looked for at interview stage:

• You will be highly motivated and self-driven, with a keen interest to drive impact in the education sector.
• Excellent attention to detail and analytical rigour, with a problem-solving mindset
• Switch comfortably between detail and the bigger picture
• Good at prioritising changing and competing demands and tasks, while consistently delivering quality work
• Excellent problem solving, organising and management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; collaborative and constructive approach to working with others, builds effective relationships internally and externally.

If you meet the essential criteria above, we would really like to hear from you. Please apply via the careers page with an updated CV by the closing date. We look forward to receiving your application.

Reference: RG/ED/CON/TAN/KEN4