Team Leader

FHI 360 is a global development organization, with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Our team of professionals includes experts in education, health, nutrition, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from over 60 offices with more than 4,000 employees in the United States and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at all levels and our multi-disciplinary approach allows us to have a lasting impact on the people, communities and countries we serve by improving the lives of millions.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Team Lead/Chief of Party to provide overall technical, strategic, operational, and stakeholder leadership for an anticipated MCC-funded education quality assurance activity in Belize.

This position will be based in Belize and is contingent upon FHI 360 receiving the award.

Project Description

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Belize (GOB) have signed a $125 million, 5-year Compact that aims to address the binding constraints of low-quality education and high electricity costs. The Quality Assurance activity is expected to support the Government of Belize to strengthen accountability for student learning through development and implementation of an educational quality assurance system, strengthening of the Belize Education Management Information System (BEMIS), and reform of teacher and school leadership policies and systems.

Position Description

The Team Lead will serve as the primary point of contact with MCC, MCA-Belize, the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture (MoEYSC), and other key stakeholders. The Team Lead will oversee technical integration across all components of the activity and ensure delivery of high-quality, sustainable, and contextually appropriate reforms.

Job Summary/Responsibilities

Leadership and Project Management

Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and management oversight for the activity.

Serve as principal liaison with MCC, MCA-Belize, MoEYSC, and key education stakeholders.

Ensure effective coordination and integration across all technical workstreams.

Lead annual work planning, implementation oversight, risk management, and adaptive management processes.

Ensure compliance with MCC requirements, reporting standards, and contractual obligations.

Technical Leadership

Guide implementation of integrated education quality assurance reforms, including:

Quality assurance frameworks

BEMIS strengthening and data systems integration

Teacher and school leader policy reform

School improvement planning

Performance management and accountability systems

Ensure coherence between quality assurance systems, teacher policy reforms, and national student assessment initiatives.

Promote evidence-based decision-making and institutional capacity strengthening.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

Build and maintain strong working relationships with government counterparts, education institutions, school management authorities, donors, and implementing partners.

Facilitate stakeholder consultation and consensus-building processes.

Support coordination with parallel reform initiatives and donor-funded activities.

Team Supervision

Supervise senior technical personnel and oversee multidisciplinary teams and consultants.

Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

Support mentoring and professional development of project staff and counterparts.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Education Planning, Educational Measurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, Education Statistics, Data Analytics, Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Public Policy, or a related field . Master's or higher preferred.

Minimum 12 years of progressively responsible experience, in education system reform, education quality assurance, school improvement or education governance ( Including 8+ years of experience in designing or implementing national or subnational education quality assurance, accountability, or school evaluation systems).

Evidence shall include leadership of at least three (3) relevant assignments involving standards development, school supervision, performance monitoring, institutional strengthening, or accountability systems, including at least one (1) assignment that involved piloting or national/subnational rollout. At least one (1) year experience working in Caribbean or small-state education systems is preferred.

Demonstrated experience in education quality assurance systems through a minimum of three (3) completed assignments within the past ten (10) years involving at least two of the following areas: school evaluation, school supervision, school improvement planning, education quality standards, performance monitoring, or quality assurance frameworks. Experience shall be evidenced through submitted reports, frameworks, methodologies, or similar deliverables produced by the proposed expert .

Demonstrated experience facilitating stakeholder engagement processes through a minimum of three (3) completed assignments that included consultation, validation, consensus-building, or policy development activities involving government agencies, education authorities, schools, development partners, or other relevant stakeholders. ( Evidence shall include meeting reports, consultation reports, validation workshop reports, stakeholder engagement plans, or similar documented outputs) .

Demonstrated ability to analyze complex education-sector issues and produce high-quality technical outputs through a minimum of three (3) completed assignments that resulted in the preparation of policy documents, strategic plans, quality assurance frameworks, implementation plans, evaluation reports, or similar technical documents that were formally accepted by the client. ( Evidence shall include sample deliverables, client references, completion certificates, or documented acceptance of outputs. Assignments should demonstrate the ability to integrate policy, operational, implementation, and data-related considerations into practical recommendations and reform strategies) .

Experience with MCC-funded programs strongly preferred.

Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams and coordinating with high-level government stakeholders.

Experience in the Caribbean and/or small island developing states preferred.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

The expected hiring salary range for national local hire for this role is BZD 120,000 - 160,000 annually for basic salary. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires tha