Global Schools Forum (GSF) is recruiting a Senior Manager for the Lighthouse Coalition. It’s a remote consultancy paying £290 a day for about 13.5 days a month, which comes to roughly £3,900 a month. The contract runs for up to 27 months. The Lighthouse Coalition is backed by the Gates Foundation and helps governments in Kenya, South Africa, India and Senegal improve foundational literacy and numeracy. GSF prefers consultants based in Kenya, South Africa or India.
Applications close on Sunday 15 November 2026.
At a Glance
| Organisation | Global Schools Forum (host of the Lighthouse Coalition) |
| Role | Senior Manager, Lighthouse Coalition |
| Type | Consultancy contract, remote |
| Fee | £290 a day for 13.5 days a month, possibly up to 18 days if more funding is secured |
| Duration | Up to 27 months: 1 December 2026 to 30 January 2029 |
| Preferred location | Kenya, South Africa or India, or another low- or middle-income country |
| Deadline | 15 November 2026 |
About the Lighthouse Coalition
GSF connects more than 240 non-state education organisations in 70+ countries. It hosts the Lighthouse Coalition, which builds government leaders’ commitment to reforms in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). The Coalition works in five Indian states, four South African provinces, eight Kenyan counties and on Senegal’s national bilingual reforms. Its partners include Centro Lemann (Brazil), Central Square Foundation (India), Binding Constraints Lab (South Africa), Mizizi Elimu Afrika (Kenya) and ARED (Senegal). After a pilot from 2024 to 2026, it now enters Phase II (November 2026 – January 2029), with possible expansion to countries such as Ethiopia and Nigeria.
What You’ll Do
- Coalition orchestration: manage senior relationships with governments, non-state partners and funders across five countries, and lead coalition governance and annual partner retreats.
- Programme leadership: own day-to-day delivery and tracking across all countries and workstreams.
- Financial management: be accountable for a budget of nearly US$1 million a year, including contracts, payments and sub-grants to more than 15 partners.
- Events and logistics: plan international learning trips (“Immersions”) for government leaders, handling flights, visas and government permissions, and travel internationally at least once a year.
Benefits
- £290 a day for about 13.5 days a month, with a possible increase to 18 days
- Up to 27 months of work
- A senior leadership role in a Gates Foundation-backed initiative spanning four countries
- Remote work, plus international travel to destinations such as Vietnam or Argentina
- Direct influence on education reform affecting hundreds of thousands of government schools
Eligibility
- Experience leading a complex multi-stakeholder initiative with a budget of over US$1 million, managing partner organisations and large funders.
- A demonstrated interest in government reform. A track record in foundational learning is ideal.
- Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or Latin America.
- Strong attention to detail, planning and logistics skills, and excellent Excel skills.
- Excellent written and spoken communication.
- Location: GSF prefers a citizen of a low- or middle-income country based in Kenya, South Africa or India. You must have the right to work where you live, as no visa sponsorship is offered.
- You must be willing to join occasional early-morning or evening calls across time zones from GMT-5 to GMT+7.
How to Apply
- Read the full candidate pack on GSF’s recruitment portal (link below).
- Upload your CV through the portal by Sunday 15 November 2026.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted soon after the deadline. First-round interviews are on 18–19 November, and second-round interviews are in the week of 23 November.
Official GSF job advert: Senior Manager, Lighthouse Coalition · GSF Careers page
For reasonable adjustments during recruitment, email [email protected].
Tips for Applicants
- Lead with budget and partner management. GSF wants proof you’ve run a $1M+ multi-partner programme.
- Show government experience, such as working with ministries, county or state education teams, or public agencies.
- Highlight logistics wins, such as international events you’ve organised, visa challenges you’ve solved or large group trips you’ve managed.
