Program Officer – Adolescent Life Skills Job at Echidna Giving 2025 | East Africa Vacancy, Remote Opportunity

Vacancy: Program Officer – Adolescent Life Skills (East Africa)
Organization: Echidna Giving
Location: Remote/Hybrid – Preference for Tanzania, Uganda, or Kenya
Application Deadline: Rolling Basis (Early applications encouraged)
Start Date: Targeted for August 2025 (earlier availability is a plus)
Compensation: Competitive and reflective of experience
Type: Full-Time

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About Echidna Giving

Echidna Giving is a private philanthropic fund focused exclusively on getting more girls into better schools to live better lives. They believe that educating girls is one of the few self-reinforcing interventions in global development.

• Echidna is committed to quality, gender-responsive education in lower-income countries.
• With the aim to give away $6 billion over the next 35 years, the organization plans to increase its annual grantmaking to $200 million.
• Echidna maintains a small, senior team to manage strategy and execution, striving for high-impact, context-responsive giving.

Learn more:
www.echidnagiving.org

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About the Vacancy

Echidna Giving is seeking a Program Officer to lead its Adolescent Life Skills strategy in East Africa. The role includes developing regional strategies, managing a growing portfolio of grants, and supporting locally-led systems change.

• The Program Officer will collaborate with teams working on Early Childhood Development and Primary Foundational Learning.
• The role will be remote/hybrid, with 20–40% travel expected annually (including onboarding in the Bay Area and regional travel across East Africa).

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Key Responsibilities

Develop & Execute Grantmaking Strategy (70%)

• Build and refine a region-specific Adolescent Life Skills strategy focused on systems change.
• Manage an active portfolio of ~18 grants, expanding to 20–30 over time.
• Identify and support new grantees that align with Echidna’s goals, especially locally led organizations.
• Evaluate grant proposals (programs, budgets, metrics, leadership).
• Draft funding recommendations and represent them at quarterly Board meetings.
• Act as a primary point of contact for grantees.
• Support grantee success beyond funding, including networking and visibility support.
• Provide strategic input and share knowledge with fellow Program Officers.

External Relationship Building & Leadership (30%)

• Maintain trusted relationships with:
  • Grantees
  • Funders
  • Researchers
  • Policymakers
  • Other education and gender equality actors
• Enable leadership growth on Adolescent Life Skills in the region.
• Represent Echidna at events, donor collaboratives, and conferences.
• Stay informed about current trends in education, gender equity, and East Africa’s policy landscape.
• Collaborate on improving internal practices aligned with Echidna’s values and strategy.

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Candidate Profile

Echidna is seeking a senior-level professional with experience in education and a strong commitment to gender equity.

Required:

• 12+ years of professional experience, including 5+ years in decision-making roles
• Technical knowledge of Adolescent Life Skills
• Deep understanding of the political economy of education in East Africa
• Experience working in NGO, government, or philanthropy sectors
• Ability to:
  • Synthesize information and make sound decisions
  • Analyze evidence and research
  • See big-picture strategy and apply it practically
  • Communicate clearly and respectfully with diverse audiences
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently
• High emotional intelligence, maturity, and flexibility

Preferred:

• Strong networks in East Africa (especially Tanzania, Uganda, or Kenya)
• Experience in:
  • Gender-transformative education programming
  • Leadership or organizational development
  • Philanthropy
• Background or interest in girls’ rights
• Humor and collaborative spirit appreciated!

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Echidna Giving’s Principles

Echidna Giving prioritizes:

• Trust-based philanthropy
• Long-term, flexible funding
• Local leadership and community expertise
• Reduced administrative burden for grantees
• Open, honest communication
• Learning through measured risks
• Continuous feedback and improvement
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Explore more:
Our Principles
Grantee Feedback

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How to Apply

Echidna Giving has partnered exclusively with Shortlist for this recruitment.

To apply, refer someone, or ask questions, contact:

• Ashbira Singh – Associate Partner
  ashbira@shortlist.net
  LinkedIn
• Alisha Coelho – Talent Consultant
  alisha@shortlist.net
  LinkedIn

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Early applications are highly encouraged for immediate consideration.

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For more opportunities, visit the Opportunities for Youth‘s website!