Technical Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Education

Reporting to:  the Consortium Lead, dotted line to the Ministry of Education

Employment condition: contract for one Year with the possibility of extensions

Duty station: Ministry of Education, Addis Ababa, with regular attendance at PMU offices

Number of positions: One (1)

Salary: As per the organization’s salary scale

Application Deadline: 10 October 2025

The overall purpose of the role:

The Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education will serve as a high-level strategic and technical liaison between the Ministry of Education and the multi-partner education consortium. The Advisor will play a pivotal role in aligning program strategies with national education priorities, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and ensuring that consortium-supported interventions are institutionalized within national systems. This position requires a seasoned professional with strong government engagement experience, a deep understanding of the Ethiopian education sector, and excellent facilitation and communication skills.

• Promote the program to donor and government stakeholders to secure buy-in and support.
• Facilitate engagement between program  staff and relevant FMoE, REB staff, and external stakeholders.
• Assist in the coordination of the Program Advisory Board and Technical Steering Committee, ensuring appropriate representation from the FMoE and that meetings are held as per the project plan.
• Lead interventions to build capacity at Ministerial levels, focusing on successful delivery and policy implementation, and establish regular update meetings with government stakeholders to review progress

Collaborate with government stakeholders to develop and embed a robust policy development and implementation process

• Provide support to the Consortium Lead in managing communications with government and donor stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation of the project.
• Work with the Consortium Lead and PMU MEAL Lead to monitor implementation progress, adapt strategies based on insights, and facilitate informed discussions with government stakeholders and donors at strategic and policy levels.
• Review and analyze policy and legislative drafts from State Ministers, the Education Roadmap Secretariat, independent agencies, and other ministries, and produce briefings for the Minister.
• Engage with internal and external experts to ensure the Minister has access to the best information for decision-making, policy development, planning, and risk management, with a specific focus on program areas.
• Promote the use of monitoring and evaluation, research, and other data in decision-making and policy formulation.
• Facilitate and coordinate regular high-level strategic and technical meetings between the Ministry of Education, consortium leadership, and implementing partners. Support the organization and documentation of joint planning, review, and learning sessions between the Ministry and the consortium
• Act as the primary liaison for the Ministry on consortium matters, ensuring transparent, timely, and effective communication between parties
• Facilitate the issuance of endorsement and support letters from the Ministry of Education to relevant regional bureaus, directorates, and sector institutions on behalf of the consortium.
• Ensure coordinated responses and guidance from the Ministry on key programmatic and operational matters raised by the consortium.
• Represent consortium interests within relevant Ministry-led technical working groups and sector platforms.
• Identify opportunities for joint capacity development initiatives, including training, technical exchanges, and guideline development in collaboration with universities, CTEs, and MoE directorates.
• Provide technical inputs into national systems strengthening initiatives relevant to the consortium’s program focus areas
• Support early identification and resolution of potential risks or bottlenecks that could hinder program implementation, especially those requiring Ministry action or coordination.
• Advise the Minister and relevant senior officials on opportunities, challenges, and progress emerging from consortium implementation.
• Prepare briefings, talking points, and background documents for senior leadership of the Ministry and the consortium

·         Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information.

·         Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

·         Respect beneficiaries, women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. race, colour, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.

·         Value and respect all cultures.

Safeguarding Commitment 

Imagine1day has zero tolerance for violations of Child and Adult Safeguarding, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and the Code of Conduct. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Imagine1day implements a range of procedures and actions, including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificates of good conduct, to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.

·         Minimum of 10 years of experience in the education sector, preferably with the Ministry of Education.

·         Proven experience in policy development, system strengthening, and capacity building.

·         Experience working with donor-funded programs (e.g.,  FCDO, UNICEF, USAID, World Bank- GEQIP).

 Additional Skills:

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·         Strong interpersonal and relationship management abilities.

·         Proficiency in computer and project management tools.

·         Ability to engage and influence senior government officials.

• Demonstrated experience working directly with senior government officials and in policy-level education reform initiatives.
• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian education system, institutional structures, and reform priorities.
• Proven ability to build consensus, coordinate complex partnerships, and facilitate cross-sector collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic; knowledge of other local languages is an asset.

• Master’s degree in Education, International Development, Governance, or a related field.
• Knowledge of system policy development and planning processes
• Knowledge of organizational development, institutional and individual capacity building
• Understanding of the political economy of education reforms in Ethiopia

Fluency in written and spoken English is required; proficiency in additional international languages (e.g., French or Arabic) or local Ethiopian languages is an added advantage.

• Imagine 1day Internal staffs
• Imagine 1day External partners (Pension Office, Landlord, and other government & private organizations