Interim Deputy Country Director Job at Tanza Education Tanzania 2026

Opportunity overview

Lead field operations across multiple regions in Tanzania, supporting a growing team and budget to deliver education programmes in public schools at scale. This is a one-year interim Deputy Country Director contract, reporting to the Country Director / Tanza Managing Director.

• Preferred base: Morogoro or Songea, with monthly travel to the region where you are not based.
• Eligibility: Tanzanian nationals only.
• Deadline: 30 November 2026.

Leadership and programme delivery

• Directly manage and develop Program Managers through clear goals, regular coaching, constructive feedback and the Tanza Accelerator.
• Strengthen managers’ planning, judgement, people management and government engagement; help them develop Field Coaches and future leaders.
• Address performance concerns promptly and fairly; create a respectful, accountable team culture with collaboration and learning across districts.
• Lead recruitment and onboarding, monitor workload and wellbeing, and help teams sustain high standards.
• Plan programme delivery with high fidelity; visit schools, use data and field observations to improve results and uphold safeguarding expectations.
• Coach teams to build productive relationships with schools and government and strengthen local ownership, capability and responsibility.
• Oversee government termly reporting and quarterly field visits.

Budgets, operations and organisational leadership

• Coordinate with Finance, Administration, IT and Logistics so field teams have the resources they need.
• Build realistic budgets with Program Managers, partners and Finance, improving cost-effectiveness while protecting quality.
• Review monthly budget-versus-actuals, monitor burn rates against delivery progress, and lead accurate quarterly and termly partner reporting on results, spending and risks.
• Review and approve payment requests for budget availability, supporting documentation and compliance with finance and procurement procedures.
• Bring field realities into organisational decisions and programme design; anticipate staffing needs, identify risks, translate strategy into achievable plans and act as lead when required.

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Around ten years of relevant experience, with substantial responsibility for managing managers and geographically dispersed and/or large teams.
• Experience building constructive government and partner relationships.
• Experience leading operations, budgets, logistics and compliance in field-based programmes.
• Technology-enabled or primary education programme experience is an advantage.

Skills and personal qualities

Strong people management, clear and considerate communication, inclusive collaboration, data-informed strategy and disciplined execution. Tanza values passion, high standards, integrity, humility, a growth mindset and teamwork. The role calls for a hands-on leader who combines care with clear expectations and develops others to lead independently.

How to apply

Email your CV to [email available with Premium] [link available with Premium] before 30 November 2026. This vacancy is open to Tanzanian nationals only. The employer notes that, following strong performance, it would try to identify another role if you wish to remain after the interim contract; continued employment is not guaranteed.