Join the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) in a dynamic role within an international education sector project.
The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) is participating in the implementation of the project Africa-Europe Partnership to Exchange on Education Reforms (PEERS). The project is funded by the European Commission, and EDUFI is implementing it in collaboration with Expertise France and ADEA (Association for the Development of Education in Africa). The project will run for five years, with EDUFI’s estimated total budget being approximately EUR 4 million.
The main objective of the project is to support two African Union Regional Economic Communities (RECs)—the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Community (EAC)— in strengthening their coordination roles and building the ownership and capacity of their Member and Partner States to address the education agenda effectively.
RECs have a critical role to play in coordination and providing platforms for peer learning towards the implementation of the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), SDG 4 and the regional education frameworks of the RECs themselves. However, they face several constraints limiting their ability to fully play such coordination role. These limiting factors are mainly related to institutional capacities; funding for coordination, peer learning and implementation of activities; conflicting priorities; membership of Member/Partner States in several RECs and diverse languages; weak coordination and peer learning mechanisms amongst the RECs; and inactive or inconsistent participation of RECs and Member/Partner States in the African Union CESA clusters.
The PEERS project will therefore pursue the following specific objectives over the next 5 years:
1) To enhance cooperation between and within the ECOWAS and EAC RECs in the design, implementation and monitoring of quality, gender-responsive, inclusive, green and digital education policies. The project focuses on basic education.
2) To increase the mutual learning and the effective transfer of good practices and tools on quality, gender-responsive, inclusive, green and digital education between the EU, ECOWAS, EAC and their Member and Partner States. This objective is particularly EDUFI’s responsibility. Important lessons will also be drawn from the EU, especially in relation to the European Ed-ucation Area (EEA). The EEA is an EU initiative aimed at creating a common education area where learning, studying, and recognition of qualifications are smooth across member states. It seeks to promote quality and inclusive education, digital learning, and international mobility, e.g., through the Erasmus+ programme. The goal is also to strengthen lifelong learning and innovation in education.
3) To leverage evidence and promote knowledge exchange for enhanced evidence-based quality, inclusive, gender-responsive, green and digital education policies in ECOWAS and EAC RECs.
The project is recruiting a Technical Assistant for Education Policies (TAEP), based in Abuja, Nigeria, at the ECOWAS Commission. The TAEP will report both to the overall project’s Team Leader and to EDUFI’s Project Manager, and will be part of a technical team that includes another TAEP working at the EAC Secretariat (based in Arusha, Tanzania). The technical team will be complemented with short-term expertise in the three policy focus areas of the project: i) equitable quality, gender-responsive, and inclusive education, ii) green education and iii) digital education policies; as well as technical expertise that might be identified on a needs basis during project implementation. In Abuja, the TAEP will also work in close collaboration with a project coordinator and a project assistant, within ECOWAS.
Technical Assistant in Education Policies:
A detailed Terms of Reference can be accessed here: https://www.oph.fi/sites/default/files/documents/Job%20description%2C%20Technical%20Assistant%20for%20Education%20Policies%20%28TAEP%29.pdf
Key responsibilities of the Technical Assistant in Education Policies:
• Support the role of ECOWAS and EAC as regional actors in the education sector.
• Promote peer learning and the exchange of best practices in equitable quality, gender-responsive, and inclusive education, green education and digital education policies
• Ensure that the education strategies of the African Union and other international actors are taken into account in regional education sector planning.
• Support member states of the regional economic communities in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of education reforms.
• Promote the use of high-quality data and research in education policy development.
• Develop mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating education policy.
• Work closely with national governments, regional organizations, international donors (e.g., the EU), and other key stakeholders, acting as a link between different actors to ensure progress in line with the project’s objectives.
• Support the implementation and administration of the PEERS project together with other experts.
• Provide technical support and consultation related to education development.
The position will be placed within the Internationalisation division of the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), specifically in the Global Education Partnerships unit. The Internationalisation division at EDUFI is responsible for coordinating pro-grammes such as Erasmus+ and other EU programmes, the Nordic Nordplus programmes, various nationally funded internationalisation initiatives, the Education Finland education export programme, and global partnerships in the education sector.
The Global Education Partnerships unit is tasked with strengthening expertise in education sector development cooperation and maintaining an expert directory of education sector development cooperation experts, supporting the engagement of education experts, particularly in bilateral and multilateral development cooperation aimed at system-level and policy-level development in the education sector, strengthens education development policy, multi-stakeholder collaboration, communication and advocacy, and promotes education export through the Education Finland programme.
Join the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) in a dynamic role within an international education sector project.
The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) is participating in the implementation of the project Africa-Europe Partnership to Exchange on Education Reforms (PEERS).
The main objective of the project is to support two African Union Regional Economic Communities (RECs)—the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Community (EAC)— in strengthening their coordination roles and building the ownership and capacity of their Member and Partner States to address the education agenda effectively.
RECs have a critical role to play in coordination and providing platforms for peer learning towards the implementation of the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), SDG 4 and the regional education frameworks of the RECs themselves. However, they face several constraints limiting their ability to fully play such coordination role. These limiting factors are mainly related to institutional capacities; funding for coordination, peer learning and implementation of activities; conflicting priorities; membership of Member/Partner States in several RECs and diverse languages; weak coordination and peer learning mechanisms amongst the RECs; and inactive or inconsistent participation of RECs and Member/Partner States in the African Union CESA clusters.
The PEERS project will therefore pursue the following specific objectives over the next 5 years:
1) To enhance cooperation between and within the ECOWAS and EAC RECs in the design, implementation and monitoring of quality, gender-responsive, inclusive, green and digital education policies. The project focuses on basic education.
2) To increase the mutual learning and the effective transfer of good practices and tools on quality, gender-responsive, inclusive, green and digital education between the EU, ECOWAS, EAC and their Member and Partner States. This objective is particularly EDUFI’s responsibility. Important lessons will also be drawn from the EU, especially in relation to the European Ed-ucation Area (EEA). The EEA is an EU initiative aimed at creating a common education area where learning, studying, and recognition of qualifications are smooth across member states. It seeks to promote quality and inclusive education, digital learning, and international mobility, e.g., through the Erasmus+ programme. The goal is also to strengthen lifelong learning and innovation in education.
3) To leverage evidence and promote knowledge exchange for enhanced evidence-based quality, inclusive, gender-responsive, green and digital education policies in ECOWAS and EAC RECs.
The project is recruiting a Technical Assistant for Education Policies (TAEP), based in Abuja, Nigeria, at the ECOWAS Commission. The TAEP will report both to the overall project’s Team Leader and to EDUFI’s Project Manager, and will be part of a technical team that includes another TAEP working at the EAC Secretariat (based in Arusha, Tanzania). The technical team will be complemented with short-term expertise in the three policy focus areas of the project: i) equitable quality, gender-responsive, and inclusive education, ii) green education and iii) digital education policies; as well as technical expertise that might be identified on a needs basis during project implementation. In Abuja, the TAEP will also work in close collaboration with a project coordinator and a project assistant, within ECOWAS.
Technical Assistant in Education Policies:
A detailed Terms of Reference can be accessed here: https://www.oph.fi/sites/default/files/documents/Job%20description%2C%20Technical%20Assistant%20for%20Education%20Policies%20%28TAEP%29.pdf
Key responsibilities of the Technical Assistant in Education Policies:
• Support the role of ECOWAS and EAC as regional actors in the education sector.
• Promote peer learning and the exchange of best practices in equitable quality, gender-responsive, and inclusive education, green education and digital education policies
• Ensure that the education strategies of the African Union and other international actors are taken into account in regional education sector planning.
• Support member states of the regional economic communities in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of education reforms.
• Promote the use of high-quality data and research in education policy development.
• Develop mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating education policy.
• Work closely with national governments, regional organizations, international donors (e.g., the EU), and other key stakeholders, acting as a link between different actors to ensure progress in line with the project’s objectives.
• Support the implementation and administration of the PEERS project together with other experts.
• Provide technical support and consultation related to education development.
The position will be placed within the Internationalisation division of the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), specifically in the Global Education Partnerships unit. The Internationalisation division at EDUFI is responsible for coordinating pro-grammes such as Erasmus+ and other EU programmes, the Nordic Nordplus programmes, various nationally funded internationalisation initiatives, the Education Finland education export programme, and global partnerships in the education sector.
The Global Education Partnerships unit is tasked with strengthening expertise in education sector development cooperation and maintaining an expert directory of education sector development cooperation experts, supporting the engagement of education experts, particularly in bilateral and multilateral development cooperation aimed at system-level and policy-level development in the education sector, strengthens education development policy, multi-stakeholder collaboration, communication and advocacy, and promotes education export through the Education Finland programme.
https://www.oph.fi/sites/default/files/documents/PEERS.pdf
There are no statutory eligibility requirements for this position.
We are looking for a proactive team player, with a flexible attitude and the ability to work in a challenging international environment with diverse individuals.
We expect you to have a Master’s degree or higher, familiarity with the role’s area of responsibility, and at least ten years of professional experience in expert positions within the education sector. Experience in Africa, particularly in West African countries, is considered an asset. In addition, we expect experience in supporting education policy and strengthening institutional capacity. Previous experience in project management, especially in EU-funded projects, is considered an advantage, as is knowledge of operating practices within Finnish or European public administration. Experience in promoting inclusion, gender equality, digital skills, or environmental sustainability in the education sector or in education-related projects is also considered beneficial.
The role requires fluent English skills and good French language proficiency.
We expect you to have strong capabilities for both independent and teamwork, as well as good interpersonal and collaboration skills. Additionally, we value a development-oriented mindset, organizational skills, and the ability to manage complex and concurrent processes.
The position involves travel within Europe and Africa.
- English
- Speaking: Excellent
- Writing: Excellent
- Understanding: Excellent
- French
- Speaking: Good
- Writing: Good
- Understanding: Good
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of hybrid work (in accordance with ECOWAS guidelines)
• A comfortable multi-space working environment (when working in Finland)
• Opportunities to maintain and develop professional skills and expertise
• Occupational health services available during residence in Finland (see Section 9 "Occupational Health Services" in EDUFI’s guidelines for working abroad)
Project Manager Karolina Marisa
tel. +358 (0)50 3437885
e-mail: karolina.marisa@oph.fi
Call time: Monday 29th September 2025 at 2-3 pm
Primarily, we request applicants to submit their applications electronically via the Valtiolle.fi service. However, you can also apply for this job by delivering your application to the Registry Office’s postal address. Both the application and the envelope must feature the ID number of the position applied for. The letter must be delivered by the end of the application period.
Finnish National Agency for Education registry
P.O. Box 380
00530 Helsinki
As a national expert agency, The Finnish National Agency for Education develops and provides services for early childhood education and care, education and training, lifelong learning and internationalisation. We employ around 400 experts. Our mission is Passion for learning, and our vision is that everyone can grow to their full potential.
As an employer, we are committed to staff wellbeing and continuous learning. We work according to a coaching and learning-oriented approach, based on goal-oriented leadership. We are an interactive and collaborative workplace that develops services together with clients and stakeholders.
Location
Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
You can work at one of our following locations
Abuja
Abuja
Nigeria
Other information of the position
The role requires travel to various African countries and possibly Europe. The working environment is multicultural and the work languages are especially english and french.
The estimated start date is November 1, 2025. If relocation to Nigeria is not possible at the beginning of the project due to work permits or other practical arrangements, the initial duty station will be Helsinki. During this period, no compensation will be provided according to EDUFI’s guidelines for working abroad. You can read more about EDUFI’s international employment terms in the EDUFI guidelines for working abroad: https://www.oph.fi/sites/default/files/documents/Ulkomailla%20ty%C3%B6skentelevien%20l%C3%A4hetettyjen%20ty%C3%B6ntekij%C3%B6iden%20ohjes%C3%A4%C3%A4nt%C3%B6.pdf
