Country Lead, South Africa

Job Highlight

The successful candidate will be part of an exciting initiative to transform how ECCE initiatives are funded and delivered in South Africa. EOF offers its team the opportunity to drive system change at scale, while working in a mission-driven, high-performing team.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

About the Group

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Job Specific Context

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality services, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

About EOF

Education is one of the most powerful drivers of progress, yet seven out of ten children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read with understanding by age 10. Meanwhile, half of education programmes show no measurable impact on learning or employment. Global spending on education is falling short by an estimated $100 billion each year. Traditional approaches have not delivered the transformation required to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4.The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) was created to address these challenges — by shifting how education is funded, how success is measured, and how systems are held accountable. We are part of a global movement to turn education financing into real learning and employment outcomes, especially for the most disadvantaged children and youth.

Job specific context

in partnership with the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE), The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) launched the $30 million South Africa ECCE Outcomes Fund (“Fund 1.0”) in December 2025. Over three years, five implementing partners (IPs) will open around 1.4k new Early Learning Programmes (ELPs) and support around 600 existing ones throughout the country. The Outcomes fund is a form of outcomes-based financing, wherein payment to IPs is dependent on their progress towards pre-specified target outcomes. Under this model, EOF, IPs, and pre-financers providing working capital and performance management to the IPs, will frequently collect monitoring and evaluation data related to the interventions.

Fund 1.0 was developed as a way to learn about how to improve ECCE quality, to provide space for innovation, and as an opportunity for the DBE to broaden partnerships with non-state ECCE providers. Towards the scaling objectives of the 2030 ECD strategy and as outlined in the Bana Pele Blueprint, the DBE and EOF are interested in surfacing learnings from Fund 1.0 to inform the design of a future outcomes fund (“ELP Fund 2.0”).

The scale of this programme (a total of $30m), the complexity of coordinating five donors and five implementation partners, and the potential development of a second outcomes fund make it a strategically significant initiative for EOF.

Role Purpose

The Country Lead will lead the delivery of EOF’s ECCE outcomes fund in South Africa, providing strategic guidance to ensure its successful implementation and influencing local donors, government and partner stakeholders to support EOF objectives. They will represent EOF nationally and lead the programs’ implementation. The Country Lead will lead stakeholder engagement (including sub-national partners, evaluators, implementing partners), and will work to identify new opportunities to further EOF’s goals within South Africa as well as securing long-term programme sustainability and evidence uptake into public systems/policy implementation.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Country Lead, South Africa, will undertake the following responsibilities:

Stakeholder management:

• Lead EOF’s partnership and stakeholder engagement with government, donors, implementing partners and other programme partners in South Africa and beyond, furthering program goals and identifying new opportunities to expand our impact, including informing and shaping new donor programming.
• Prepare for and facilitate formal governance meetings with government partners, evaluators, donors, and implementing partners.
• Facilitate technical, planning and capacity-strengthening workshops for government and implementing partners on topics including governance, evaluation design, implementation, and sustainability.
• Secure government and donor partner commitment to implement and sustain policy change as a result of evidence from the OBF program; or to generate new outcomes focused on opportunities and approaches.

Oversee program implementation:

• Overall responsible for overseeing the programme’s implementation.
• Oversee programme evaluation, working closely with the evaluation firm.
• Build influential relationships with government to ensure understanding of OBF and that government decision-making is informed by EOF advice.
• Build strong implementing partner, investor and donor relationships to further interest in outcomes-based approaches beyond the lifetime of the program, including by proactively identifying and resolving issues quickly.
• Responsible for maintaining EOF’s Safeguarding standards throughout programme implementation – incidents reported appropriately, the team trained, partnering with implementing partners to improve their safeguarding standards.
• Coordinate and conduct site visits to programme locations to validate progress, observe implementation, and engage local stakeholders.
• Produce end-of-year reports to analyse the programme’s implementation, including successes and challenges to date, visibility within government, evaluation of results, and progress towards outcome targets.
• Oversee program budget and produce financial reports, with the support of an embedded operations team.

Lead sustainability planning for the programme:

• Ensure programme-generated evidence shapes sectoral public policy implementation, informs scale-up planning, and supports integration into public systems. Develop a long-term sustainability theory of change and action plan, based on insights from multi-stakeholder workshops and exchanges.
• Build understanding of Ministry priorities to ensure learning agenda resources are well aligned and create reciprocal government action on sustainability plans.
• Steer EOF’s strategic positioning, visibility, and advocacy in South africa. Lead advocacy efforts to amplify programme learnings and results across platforms.

People management

• Lead EOF’s team in South Africa, building and managing the team effectively to ensure their successful operation.

Skills

Cross-functional Team Leadership, Problem Solving, Project Delivery, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Time Management, Results oriented

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• A first-level, Bachelor’s degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.

Desired

• Masters degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of 9 years of relevant professional experience combined with a Bachelors degree, or 7 years with a Master’s degree.
• Experience leading programmes in South Africa, ideally in the education/ECCE sector.
• Direct experience working with the Government of South Africa.
• Experience leading a team and managing multiple stakeholders across projects.

Desired

• Prior experience working with donors and international organisations in the education (or related) sector in South Africa.
• Experience with results-/outcomes-based financing, innovative finance or innovative delivery models, and/or large donor-funded initiatives.
• Experience in evaluation design and/or management.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.