Director, Global Policy and Advocacy (Education Financing) in London

Reporting to the Chief of External Affairs, the Director leads Malala Fund's Debt Justice Initiative and provides strategic leadership for this work. As Malala Fund's senior technical lead on global education financing and international financial architecture, the Director shapes advocacy strategy; builds relationships with senior decision‑makers in governments and international financial institutions; and positions the organisation as a leading voice in development finance debates. The Director also leads a team of policy and advocacy professionals, works closely with country teams and other departments across the organisation, and translates complex financial and policy issues into compelling advocacy strategies that advance girls' right to secondary education.

Responsibilities

• Lead Malala Fund's global advocacy to increase sustainable funding for girls' secondary education in low‑ and lower‑middle income countries.
• Ensure the team develops and leverages high‑impact, evidence‑based policy analysis and messaging.
• Ensure the team's advocacy approach is strategic, agile, effective and aligned with Malala Fund's longer‑term goals.
• Proactively collaborate with senior leaders and staff across Malala Fund to ensure Education Resourcing is effectively embedded across the organisation to advance DJI plans and whole‑organisational goals.
• Ensure Malala Fund staff, co‑founders, board members and donors are effectively briefed on developments, opportunities and engagements.

External Representation and Government Relations

• Develop and deliver an effective policy‑maker engagement strategy to progress Malala Fund's DJI goals.
• Build and steward senior‑level relationships with governments, international financial institutions and other sector partners aligned with Malala Fund's DJI strategy.
• Develop and execute strategies to position Malala Fund as a leading voice on global education financing.
• Work closely with the Senior Director of Strategic Communications to design and ensure the effective delivery of a strategic communications strategy and plans for DJI.
• Represent the organisation at high‑level forums, media engagements, and in coalition spaces.

Team and Organizational Leadership

• Manage and mentor a high‑performing team of two policy and advocacy professionals.
• Oversee internal planning, budgeting, and reporting for the initiative.
• Contribute to cross‑team collaboration and organisational coordination through leadership meetings and shared initiatives.

Organisational Culture

• Uphold Malala Fund's organisational values.
• Actively contribute to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practice.
• Maintain behaviour and conduct that uphold the highest standards for safeguarding.
• Act as a role model for a "learning organisation" culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn.
• Recruit, interview, and train new staff as needed.
• Support staff development through regular mentoring/coaching and performance evaluations.
• Handle employee relations, including performance management and disciplinary processes.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Malala Fund is an equal opportunity employer and inclusive organisation who welcomes employees from under‑represented and intersectional communities including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We seek people with diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages, experiences and identities to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree or equivalent in social science, economics or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in leading multidimensional advocacy initiatives to influence global policy frameworks and institutions.
• Substantial policy expertise in development financing and the international financial architecture.
• Fluency in development financing language and experience in engaging with a wide range of audiences.
• Solid judgment and problem‑solving skills; proven attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Excellent team and personnel management abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Our Mission

Malala Fund is working for a world where all girls can learn and lead. Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education, invests in local education leaders and amplifies the voices of girls fighting for change.

What does this team do?

Malala Fund's Education Financing workstream works to increase sustainable public funding for girls' education by advancing global policy and advocacy efforts. Its current focus is the Debt Justice Initiative, which addresses how the global debt crisis limits governments' ability to invest in girls' education.