Job Description
The e-Learning for Strengthening Higher Education is a project led by MoE in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University, and Shayashone PLC. It is one of the transformative projects under the ministry with the primary mission of supporting Ethiopian higher education institutes to realize digital education. Along this trajectory, the e-SHE addresses critical ecosystem-level issues that undermine the teaching and learning process, quality of education, and act as a barrier to the transformational aspirations of the education sector. Building on e-SHE’s successes and lessons, the Higher Education Delivery Excellence Enhancement Program (HDEEP) aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s higher education system by addressing gaps in quality, relevance, equity, and efficiency. As an extension of the e-SHE project, the program focuses on enhancing universities’ capacity to deliver higher education reform initiatives that improve quality, access, and equity, ultimately fostering graduate employability and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Its main intervention areas include: (1) strengthening universities’ implementation capacity through delivery units, leadership development, and institutionalized teaching and learning centers; (2) developing reform-oriented policies, guidelines, and manuals to enhance quality and sustainability of higher education ; (3) building capacity in monitoring, evaluation, and data- driven supervision to improve performance; and (4) advancing leadership development to enhance governance, teaching quality, and graduate employability. Together, these interventions aim to build a more effective, inclusive, and future-ready higher education ecosystem in Ethiopia.
Job Summary
The Resource mobilization and partnership development specialist is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication, visibility, partnership development, and resource mobilization initiatives that support the objectives and sustainability of higher education reforms. The Specialist will strengthen stakeholder engagement, communicate program results and institutional achievements, identify and cultivate strategic partnerships, and support the mobilization of financial and non-financial resources for higher education development initiatives.
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The role will work closely with the Ministry of Education, higher education institutions, development partners, private sector organizations, civil society, media, and other stakeholders to strengthen the visibility, positioning, and sustainability of higher education reform initiatives. The Specialist will also support knowledge management, donor engagement, proposal development, and the documentation and dissemination of lessons and results generated through HDEEP.
Job Requirements
Strategic Communication and Visibility
Develop and implement communication and visibility strategies aligned with HDEEP objectives, Ministry priorities, and higher education reform initiatives.
Develop high-quality communication products, including success stories, case studies, newsletters, briefs, reports, press releases, presentations, brochures, digital content, and other knowledge products.
Coordinate the documentation and dissemination of program achievements, institutional innovations, lessons learned, and impact stories.
Strengthen communication channels and platforms that promote awareness and understanding of higher education reforms among relevant stakeholders.
Support media engagement, public awareness initiatives, events, and other strategic communication activities.
Develop communication content that translates technical higher education reforms and results into clear and accessible messages for different audiences.
Resource Mobilization and Business Development
Support the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies aligned with higher education sector priorities and institutional needs.
Identify, monitor, and assess funding opportunities from bilateral and multilateral donors, philanthropic organizations, foundations, corporate partners, government institutions, and other potential funding sources.
Track donor priorities, funding trends, and emerging opportunities relevant to higher education development and reform.
Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of concept notes, proposals, expressions of interest, grant applications, and other resource mobilization materials.
Support the development of compelling evidence and communication materials that demonstrate program impact and investment opportunities.
Maintain an up-to-date pipeline of funding opportunities and support internal coordination for timely responses to opportunities.
Support grant negotiations, partnership discussions, and funding arrangements as required.
Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with government institutions, universities, development partners, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, professional associations, and other relevant stakeholders.
Strengthen relationships with existing and prospective development and funding partners.
Facilitate partnerships that support innovation, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, institutional strengthening, and sustainability of higher education reforms.
Support the development and coordination of partnership agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding and other collaboration arrangements.
Coordinate stakeholder engagement platforms, consultations, forums, conferences, and networking events.
Represent HDEEP and/or the Ministry in relevant meetings, forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.
Maintain effective and timely communication with strategic partners and support follow-up on agreed actions.
Knowledge Management and Learning
Develop and maintain systems for documenting program knowledge, good practices, lessons learned, innovations, and institutional success stories.
Coordinate the development and dissemination of knowledge products that support learning across participating universities and stakeholders.
Support the organization of knowledge-sharing events, communities of practice, learning forums, and other platforms for institutional learning.
Maintain organized databases and repositories of partners, donors, communication products, funding opportunities, and knowledge resources.
Work with technical teams to identify evidence, results, and lessons that can inform communication, policy dialogue, resource mobilization, and future programming.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Strategic Support
Develop indicators and mechanisms for monitoring communication, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and resource mobilization activities.
Track the effectiveness and reach of communication and visibility initiatives and recommend improvements.
Support the preparation of donor reports, partnership updates, program briefs, and other strategic reports in collaboration with technical teams.
Provide analysis and recommendations to management on emerging communication, partnership, funding, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
Contribute to organizational strategic planning, business development, resource mobilization, and sustainability initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience
A PHD degree in Communications, Journalism, International Development, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in strategic communication, resource mobilization, partnership development, fundraising, business development, stakeholder engagement, or related fields.
Experience working with government institutions, higher education institutions, development partners, NGOs, international organizations, or private sector organizations is desirable.
Demonstrated experience in proposal development, donor engagement, partnership management, and strategic communication.
Experience developing communication and knowledge products and managing stakeholder engagement initiatives.
Technical Competencies
Strong understanding of strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and institutional visibility.
Strong proposal, concept note, grant writing, and resource mobilization skills.
Knowledge of donor funding mechanisms, development partner priorities, and partnership development approaches.
Strong understanding of communication and knowledge management approaches within development and higher education programs.
Ability to develop high-quality written, visual, and digital communication products for different audiences.
Strong stakeholder mapping, relationship management, networking, and partnership development skills.
Ability to analyze funding opportunities and translate organizational priorities into compelling proposals and partnership concepts.
Strong report writing, analytical, presentation, and project coordination skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, digital communication platforms, and relevant content management or communication tools.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic and results-oriented approach to communication, partnership development, and resource mobilization.
Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills across government, universities, development partners, private sector, and civil society.
Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to influence, coordinate, and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.
Strong initiative, creativity, and ability to identify emerging opportunities.
High professional integrity, accountability, discretion, and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
Working Conditions
Office-based in Addis Ababa with regular travel to participating universities, stakeholder institutions, and regions.
Regular participation in stakeholder consultations, conferences, workshops, media and communication activities, and partnership engagements.
Occasional work outside regular business hours may be required to support events, proposal deadlines, donor engagements, and other program activities.
How To Apply
Competent applicants can send their completed CV by e-mail or in hard copy to the following address before the close of business on August 31, 2026. Applicants are expected to indicate the position they are applying for clearly. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further assessment and selection.
Shayashone Trading Plc
Bole, Cameroon Street, Reality Plaza, 12th Floor
Email: recruitment@shayashone.com
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
