Managing Director, Education Project 

Managing Director, Education Project 

Millennium Challenge Account-Belize (MCA-Belize) 

About MCA-Belize 

The Government of Belize (GoB) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a US$125M grant agreement on September 4, 2024. MCC is a U.S. government agency focused on assisting  countries and is dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. The goal of  the Compact is to reduce poverty through economic growth in Belize by implementing an Education  project and an Energy Project. The Compact is expected to enter into force in 2026 and be implemented  over five years. The Parliament of Belize established an independent executing agency called the  Millennium Challenge Account – Belize (MCA-Belize) to undertake the rights, obligations, and  responsibilities of the Government of Belize under the Compact. The MCA-Belize is located in Belize City.  

Managing Director, Education Project 

Position Objective 

The Managing Director, Education Project leads the project, responsible for three main activities focusing  on transforming teaching and learning in secondary education, improving access to and progression  through secondary education, and training and transitioning to work. The Managing Director is the most  senior representative of the MCA-Belize Education Project Team. The position also leads and  communicates all key decisions regarding the final design and implementation of the three activities  under the project.  

In addition, the Managing Director builds collaborative relationships with project stakeholders and  contract management, ensures the quality of goods and services received, and oversees the timeline and  budget to ensure alignment with Compact requirements. The Managing Director oversees the MCA Belize Education Project Team and directly supervises three director-level positions: Director of TVET,  Director of Access to Secondary, Director of Quality of Secondary, and one Project Management  Specialist.  

Compensation  

The basic salary for this position is between $11,232.00 and $13,759.00 BZD per month. Qualified  candidates will be offered the minimum of the pay band, with opportunities to advance within the  pay band based on performance. In exceptional cases, a candidate may be placed above the  minimum based on prior experience and salary history, in compliance with MCA HR Policy. MCA 

Belize also provides comprehensive benefits.  

Responsibilities 

The Managing Director for the Belize Education Project will be expected to carry out the following  primary responsibilities: 

∙ Support and advise the Executive Director of the Program on a range of issues, including the  status and performance of Education Project activities, risks, impacts of risks, progress on  milestones and monitoring indicators, timeline impact for all investment activities, budget  updates, and their compliance with MCC requirements and applicable local standards.

∙ Represent the Education Project to project stakeholders (e.g., with national/local government  counterparts, civil society, project beneficiaries, etc.) and expand MCA Belize’s collaborative  network into new partnerships. 

∙ Manage the development and execution of appropriate implementation plans, including  procurement plans, budgets, work plans, and design schedules.  

∙ Provide input into the Belize Compact Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and the various  Monitoring & Evaluation reports created for informing stakeholders on progress towards results. ∙ Build the program team by recruiting Program Directors and specialists and identifying technical  resources (e.g., external consultants, MCC technical resources) aligned to the Education Project’s  programmatic and strategic needs.  

∙ Build staff capacity by organizing training, professional development, and performance  management.  

∙ Provide recommendations to the Executive Director on appropriate recognition and staff  retention. 

∙ Manage the day-to-day work of the Directors and their supporting staff and coordinate with the  Executive Director, the Director of Social Analysis, and the Director of Monitoring & Evaluation.  ∙ Assist the Belize Education Project Team in making timely decisions, resolving conflicts or  uncertainties, addressing issues and risks that arise during implementation, achieving milestones  on time and within budget, and ensuring that Compact projects and activities deliver established  results. 

∙ Evaluate the Education Project’s requirements and determine the appropriateness/relevance of  project designs and develop strategies and frameworks. 

∙ Allocate budgets and resources to ensure the MCA-Belize’s ability to deliver. ∙ Lead the overall implementation of Compact investments for all three activities and sub activities, ensuring the upholding of MCC and MCA-Belize standards. 

∙ Meet with and provide regular updates to MCC’s Project Lead for the Education Project,  ensuring that the overall progress of the Compact is shared and that significant changes to  project design, issues with resources, and collaborative relationships are communicated. 

∙ Lead and coordinate MCA-Belize’s efforts to execute key Compact reforms in coordination with  officials at the highest levels in the relevant Government Ministries (particularly, the Ministry of  Education), the private sector, and civil society. 

∙ Arrange, prepare, and facilitate technical oversight missions for MCC’s Project Lead for the  Education Project. 

∙ Lead the development of a collaborative, teamwork environment within the Education Project  Team of MCA-Belize and with external stakeholders and implementing entities. ∙ Guide Education Project Directors and ensure a collaborative environment is established to  facilitate cooperation, sharing of information, and shared accountability for the success of the  Compact. 

∙ Create a cohesive framework that integrates the project’s technical and cross-cutting areas. ∙ Perform other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Executive Director. 

Required Competencies 

∙ A master’s degree or other relevant advanced degree in education or a related field. 

∙ A minimum of 10 years of experience leading large education projects, preferably in an  international context, including experience developing and implementing significant policy  reforms to improve education quality.

∙ Experience managing and overseeing contractors and supporting staff toward the successful  completion of education activities. 

∙ Experience in integrating social analysis and poverty reduction efforts into large education  projects. 

∙ Prior experience in inclusive stakeholder engagement processes. 

∙ Extensive experience in project management. 

∙ Experience managing teams of diverse experts (staff and consultants in various technical areas). ∙ Fluency and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. 

Preferred Competencies 

∙ Master’s degree in educational leadership or teacher education. 

∙ Experience working in Belize´s education field. 

∙ Project management certification. 

How to Apply 

To submit applications, please email [email protected]. The following documents should  accompany your application: 

1. Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience. 
2. Cover letter confirming interest and availability. 
3. Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates, as applicable. 

Applications can be submitted via email with the subject: Vacancy – Managing Director,  Education Project, to the address above. 

Only applications received through the email above will be considered. Any application  received through any other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will  be contacted for interviews.