The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamThe Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division works to catalyze sustainable transformative change in the face of inequities and market failures, to realize the potential of untapped markets, and to see the economic and social benefits of including everyone. We focus on the areas of Agricultural Development; Financial Services for the Poor; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Nutrition; Global Education; and Digital Public Infrastructure. We seek solutions that are sustainable, transformative, and inclusive with an eye toward applying technology innovations as well as data evidence to motivate change in the worldโs developing countries.
The foundationโs Global Education (Global Ed) team works to improve reading and math outcomes - also referred to as foundational learning - for primary school aged children in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Reading and basic math skills are the foundation to gain future educational and economic opportunities and translate to inclusive growth and development. Too many children leave primary school without these basic skills: an estimated 70% of children in low-and middle-income countries โ and 89% of children in sub-Saharan Africa โ are unable to read by age 10. Our focus is to strengthen education quality for children in primary school, and our emphasis is on identifying, advocating for, and funding evidence driven, cost-effective, and scalable interventions that improve learning outcomes at scale within government systems.
Your Role
The Global Ed team is recruiting a Senior Program Officer (SPO), Global Education, India to design and manage investments to strengthen foundational learning in India. The Foundation has been working closely with Indiaโs national and state governments and partners to achieve our shared goals of improving numeracy and literacy outcomes of children in early grades.
The SPO will be responsible for cultivating country partnerships and engaging directly with India education leaders, partner organizations, and government stakeholders to improve learning outcomes at the system level. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of at-scale education program implementation in India, will be able to effectively translate monitoring and evaluation findings into actionable insights and programming, and will have ability to thoughtfully integrate new innovation areas into large scale grants.
You will also partner closely with other foundation teams working in education and adjacent areas to exchange learnings and leverage partnerships, including our Philanthropic Partnerships and Digital Innovation teams in India. You will support the foundation in its efforts to engage with philanthropists and EdTech/AI partners.
The role is based and reports to the Foundationโs India Country Office in New Delhi, and works in close collaboration with the Deputy Director, Innovation and Country Implementation.
What Youโll Do
Lead and manage a portfolio of grants and contracts focused on at-scale programming to improve foundational learning in six high-touch states in India. Contribute to the design and development of the India Global Ed strategy and implementation plan to ensure long-term sustainability and impact. Review grant proposals and provide clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding.
Design and support innovation activities in the areas of literacy, numeracy, edtech/AI, education transitions and equity.
Ensure high quality instructional improvement interventions with the classroom at the center, with particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Develop and oversee study designs, field evaluations, and analyze results; ensure that programming is responsive to real-time data and insights.
Engage with national and state government officials at all levels, partners, and collaborators to maximize impact of programming, ensure alignment with strategic goals, and facilitate the adoption of proven approaches such as structured pedagogy. This may include site visits, providing operational guidance and convening meetings of key stakeholders.
Collaborate with Indian and regional philanthropies in order to create co-funding and collaboration opportunities focused on the key learning improvement areas.
Represent the Foundation in India and regional forums as needed, championing the adoption and scaling of successful evidence-driven interventions, particularly at the classroom instructional level.
Lead and serve as a thought partner in strategic discussions and leadership engagement within the Global Ed team and the Foundation. Prepare written analyses and communications to effectively engage at all levels of the organization.
Carry out internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting, and reporting.
Effectively manage relationships and concurrent investment planning with multiple colleagues and shared partners. Collaborate closely with Global Ed colleagues to continuously improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Your Experience
Are you passionate about transforming education systems to ensure every child in India can read and do basic math? You will lead strategic investments and partnerships that improve literacy and numeracy outcomes at scale in India. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with government leaders, philanthropic partners, and education innovators to drive systemic change across six high-impact states. We are looking for a seasoned education expert who can blend policy insight, program execution, and a deep understanding of classroom realities to strengthen foundational learning across the country. If you are a collaborative leader with experience in large-scale education programs and a passion for equity and innovation, this role is your chance to make a lasting impact on Indiaโs education future.
Masterโs degree in education or related field with 10+ years of senior-level experience, or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience in implementing and/or supporting large-scale programs to improve foundational literacy and numeracy in primary grades in India, with strong understanding of the global evidence base.
Experience in developing and managing strong and equitable partnerships and relationships with senior decision makers, education partners, and implementation partners in India.
Demonstrated ability in using soft skills, managing conflicts, and building consensus
Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships, and effective matrix management skills
Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems with little oversight, high creativity, high energy, and a positive attitude.
Outstanding project and team leadership skills including ability to lead strategy development, develop shared goals and execution plans, prioritize, facilitate meetings, manage budgets, develop consensus, and work both autonomously and collaboratively.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus
Experience managing a donor funded portfolio either as a grantee or grantmaker, receiving and reporting on performance, with direct responsibility for management.
Experience working in an environment with ambiguity while helping teams adapt to change.
Ability to work with flexibility and a high level of rigor, collaboration, and diplomacy, both individually and as part of a complex team effort.
Other Attributes
Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.
Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time.
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Application deadline: 25 July 2025
#LI-RT1
Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Candidate Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.
Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.
All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.