Job Description

The role

We are currently looking for Country Engagement Manager based in Vientiane Capital Laos.

Role Purpose

Adam Smith International (ASI) is seeking a senior national Country Engagement Manager (CEM) to lead country-level delivery, government engagement, and policy influencing under the ASEAN SAGE programme, a 3 year regional education programme funded by the UK FCDO.

The postholder will act as the primary in-country representative for the programme, working closely with senior government counterparts to secure approvals, guide implementation, and position pilot learning to inform policy dialogue and reform. The role will also facilitate country-level research, learning, and advocacy activities, ensuring national evidence feeds into regional learning and scaling efforts. He/she will be expected to develop a strong relationship with relevant government counterparts, strengthening the programme’s alignment with national policies, implementation plans and financing frameworks.

The CEM will be responsible for supervising the country pilot(s), including implementation oversight, coordination of partners and advisers, and management of country-level resources. The role is explicitly designed for a highly experienced national professional with deep knowledge of the education system and a strong, established relationship with the Ministry of Education.

The CEM will report to the Foundational Learning Lead, the Team Leader, and the Programme Management Unit (PMU), and will work closely with regional technical teams to ensure coherence across the programme.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Senior Government Engagement and Policy Influence:

• Act as the primary in-country focal point for engagement with the Ministry of Education and relevant government agencies
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior ministry counterparts
• Lead engagement to position the pilots as a credible contribution to national priorities and institutionalise learning and practices from the pilots
• Support policy dialogue and advocacy linked to foundational learning and pilot objectives
• Identify technical assistance needs that align with programme objectives, including strengthening the effective use of evidence and data in national planning and prioritisation
• Navigate shifting government priorities and reform windows, and adapt engagement and delivery accordingly

Country pilot(s) leadership:

• Supervise the design oversight and implementation of the country pilot(s)
• Coordinate implementing partners, advisers, and consultants contributing to pilot delivery
• Manage country-level budgets, workplans, and delivery risks
• Ensure pilots comply with national requirements and secure necessary government approvals.

Research, Learning and Advocacy Facilitation:

• Facilitate country-level research, evidence generation, and learning activities
• Ensure country evidence and lessons are documented and fed into national and regional learning processes
• Support the translation of pilot learning into policy-relevant insights

Coordination with Multi-Country and Technical Team:

• Work closely with the Foundational Learning Lead, Team Leader, and regional advisers to ensure alignment between country and regional activities
• Support the integration of technical inputs (foundational learning, EdTech, GEDSI) into country implementation
• Participate in regional coordination and learning exchanges as required

Team Leadership and Programme Management:

• Lead and support country-based teams and consultants
• Ensure effective planning, reporting, and coordination with the PMU
• Contribute to adaptive management, risk mitigation, and programme reporting

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in education programming, with demonstrated seniority in delivery, coordination, or advisory roles
• Extensive experience engaging with the Ministry of Education, including at senior technical or policy levels
• Deep understanding of the national education system, operational environment, and political economy
• Strong, established networks with government education actors and relevant national stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage teams, budgets, and implementing partners
• Demonstrated ability to support policy dialogue, reform processes, or advocacy in the education sector
• Strong leadership, diplomacy, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to represent the programme credibly with senior national counterparts
• Fluent English and national language skills

Desirable

• Prior experience leading or overseeing education pilots or innovation programmes
• Experience working on donor-funded programmes (e.g. FCDO, DFAT, World Bank, EU)
• Familiarity with foundational learning, systems reform, EdTech, or inclusion agendas

Contract length: Fixed term (24 Months)

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.