The Regional Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) Lead at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) provides strategic leadership in integrating SEL into educational systems as a core component of holistic and transformative education. This role is pivotal in driving systems-level change, promoting learner-centered pedagogies, and strengthening regional education reforms across multiple countries.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Technical Leadership on SEL
- Provide regional leadership on integrating Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) as a core component of holistic and transformative education.
- Support the development and implementation of SEL strategies that align with systems-level change and long-term sustainability.
- Ensure SEL approaches are grounded in evidence, contextually adapted, and integrated into curriculum delivery, teacher practice, and school improvement processes.
- Promote learner-centered pedagogies that strengthen agency, wellbeing, and inclusive participation.
- Support integration of SEL into regional education reforms, including competency-based approaches and school-level improvement initiatives.
Systems Strengthening, Advocacy, and Policy Influence
- Engage strategically with IGAD (on the Djibouti declaration and the Regional Education Policy Framework) and other regional mechanisms in collaboration with advocacy colleagues.
- Work with ministries of education, education authorities, and partners to integrate SEL within education policies, standards, and teacher professional development systems.
- Support regional education system actors to institutionalize SEL within school improvement planning and education quality frameworks.
- Engage in targeted national advocacy activities such as policy dialogues and advocacy campaigns.
- Establish networks and coalitions around SEL to push the SEL agenda in the regional education ecosystem.
- Lead advocacy efforts that position SEL as a key contributor to equitable, safe, and rights-based education.
- Promote human rights principles, including inclusion, participation, and protection.
Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Building
- Organize training and knowledge-sharing activities.
- Provide technical coaching to country teams.
- Promote peer learning and communities of practice.
Programme Development, Learning, and Evidence
- Support documentation and learning on SEL interventions.
- Guide programme design aligned to donor priorities and strengthen monitoring systems for SEL outcomes.
- Support the development of knowledge products such as policy briefs and IEC materials.
Coordination and Partnerships
- Ensure close coordination with multiple teams at country, regional, and global levels within LWF.
- Contribute to strengthening networking and partnerships for LWF in the region with key actors on SEL.
- Represent the organization in regional education and SEL coordination platforms.
- Promote cross-sector collaboration between education, protection, RBA L2G, and mental health actors to support holistic child development.
- Support the Global Team in donor engagement and networking to leverage diverse funding.
Implementation
- Provide technical leadership to implementing teams in 5 countries to ensure quality implementation of the SEL regional advocacy grant.
- Manage the SEL regional advocacy grant based on approved project proposals, logframes, and budgets.
- Lead project launch and roll-out, including supporting implementation tools like workplans and working budgets.
- Monitor budget expenditure and advise teams on the rate of implementation.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Relevant University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Education, Psychology, Child Development, Human Rights, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- Minimum 7 years’ experience in education programming with specific SEL expertise.
- Experience in systems strengthening and policy engagement.
- Strong background in advocacy and human rights programming.
- Experience in humanitarian or fragile contexts is highly desirable.
- Experience in teacher development and inclusive education.
- Strong computer skills (Excel, Word, SPSS, etc.).
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Impeccable professional standard of ethics and ability to enforce compliance with donor policies.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Lutheran World Federation recruitment portal. Follow this link to apply: Apply here