Programs & Operations Coordinator – Africa Dyslexia Organization

Job Description

About Us

Across the continent, learning differences remain one of Africa’s most overlooked drivers of low literacy, school dropout, and unrealized workforce potential. Millions of children and adults with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and related learning differences go unidentified; teachers lack the evidence-based tools required for effective instruction; families face stigma; and education and workforce systems lose talent they cannot afford to waste.

Africa Dyslexia Organization promotes multi-sensory learning, talent development, and equal opportunities for individuals with dyslexia and related learning differences across Africa. We work to unlock their potential by providing multi-sensory approaches, supporting talent growth, and creating pathways to academic and professional success. Our solutions equip families and educators, influence policy, and guide workplaces to better support dyslexic individuals. ADO challenges stigma and advances inclusive environments where every learner has access to the support they need. We align our work with SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 10 to promote equitable education, decent work, and reduced inequality.

Job Description

Role Summary

The Programs & Operations Coordinator serves as the strategic and operational lead for ADO’s programme portfolio. This role drives programme design, implementation, quality assurance, and organisational efficiency across all ADO initiatives, including teacher training, fellowships, advocacy campaigns, conferences, research projects, and community engagements.

The Coordinator will conceptualise, develop, and scale new programs that advance ADO’s mission to transform learning outcomes for children with dyslexia and other learning differences across Africa. This includes ensuring operational excellence, strong stakeholder engagement, robust monitoring and reporting systems, and contributing to ADO’s collective fundraising effort.

This position is ideal for a proactive, highly organised, strategic thinker with strong experience in programme leadership, nonprofit operations, and inclusive education or child development.

Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Programme Leadership 

• Lead the development, planning, and implementation of ADO’s programme strategy.
• Design new high-impact programs and initiatives aligned with ADO’s multi-year strategy (teacher training, screening, technology, advocacy, fellowships, research).
• Translate strategic goals into annual workplans, timelines, budgets, and execution frameworks.
• Conduct needs assessments and landscape analyses to inform programme design and innovation.
• Identify opportunities for programme diversification, scale-up, and cross-country expansion.

B. Programme Management & Quality Assurance 

• Oversee the implementation of all programme activities, ensuring quality, relevance, and effectiveness.
• Supervise program officers, facilitators, trainers, and consultants.
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), programme tools, and implementation guidelines.
• Ensure safety, safeguarding, and operational compliance across all activities.
• Troubleshoot programme bottlenecks and ensure timely delivery of outputs and milestones.

C. Operations & Organisational Systems

• Strengthen ADO’s operational systems, including procurement, logistics, HR processes, and administration.
• Ensure effective scheduling, workflow coordination, and resource planning for all programme teams.
• Lead operational planning for major events, such as the Africa Dyslexia Conference, teacher trainings, workshops, and media engagements.
• Maintain efficient document management, shared drives, and digital workflows.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, and management of program staff, interns, ambassadors, and volunteers.

D. Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships & Fundraising Support 

• Cultivate and manage relationships with government partners, schools, NGOs, donors, academic institutions, and international agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, etc.).
• Represent ADO in stakeholder meetings, events, and technical working groups.
• Contribute to ADO’s collective fundraising effort by identifying funding opportunities, supporting proposal development with programme design inputs, budgets, and technical content, and helping strengthen relationships with prospective funders.
• Collaborate with the Programs & Development team to support donor cultivation, programme visibility, and funder reporting.

E. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning 

• Oversee MEAL systems for programme data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Ensure accurate documentation, quarterly reporting, and donor compliance.
• Integrate learning insights into program improvements and strategic decisions.
• Produce progress reports, program briefs, and presentations for senior management and donors.

Safeguarding Statement

The Africa Dyslexia Organisation is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children, learners, and adults at risk in all communities we serve. All employees, consultants, and volunteers are expected to share and uphold this commitment without compromise. The successful candidate will be required to undergo robust pre-employment safeguarding checks, including reference verification, and to sign and adhere to ADO’s Safeguarding, Child Protection, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policies. ADO operates a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse, exploitation, harassment, or conduct that compromises the dignity and safety of those we work with, and reserves the right to withdraw any offer of employment where concerns arise.

Requirements

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 3–5 years of programme leadership and operations experience in a nonprofit, education, or development setting.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing large multi-stakeholder programs.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive education, foundational literacy, disability inclusion, or a willingness to learn rapidly.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex workflows.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with government institutions, donors, and international organisations.
• Familiarity with proposal development or contribution to grant-funded programmes is an asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic planning, program design, and operational management skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, presentation).
• High competency in project management, budgeting, and reporting.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• High attention to detail, reliability, and commitment to high-quality results.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about education, child development, and disability inclusion.
• Innovative thinker with strong execution discipline.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented with a growth mindset.
• High integrity, emotional intelligence, and professionalism.
• Team-oriented with the ability to inspire collaboration.
• Comfortable contributing to ADO’s collective fundraising effort as part of a cross-organisational approach.