About the role

The Global Technical Lead (GTL) will lead the provision of high-quality technical support for a multi-country programme focused on enhancing digital skills and employment opportunities for young people with disabilities. This pivotal role will also champion workplace and labour market disability inclusion across seven countries in East, West, and Southern Africa.

The GTL will ensure that the programme is designed and implemented in alignment with Sightsavers thematic and programme strategies, and will play a key role in shaping innovative, inclusive approaches that drive systemic change and promote sustainable impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical leadership for a multi-country programme focused on digital skills development and employment for young people with disabilities, while advancing disability inclusion within workplaces and labour markets across East, West, and Southern Africa.
• Collaborate closely with fellow Global Technical Leads and implementing partners to ensure cohesive, high-impact delivery of programme objectives.
• Drive innovation by shaping and piloting new strategic initiatives that enhance the quality, relevance, and sustainability of Sightsavers’ work.
• Contribute to cross-organisational efforts in research, innovation, policy, advocacy, and communications, working in partnership with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Represent Sightsavers at senior level as a subject matter expert in digital inclusion and the digital economy, participating in national, regional, and international networks, conferences, and sector platforms.

This is a highly varied and involved role, and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Skills and Experience

The GTL will bring strong expertise in digital skills development, training, and supporting young people with disabilities into employment. They will be passionate about inclusive development and committed to advancing the rights of people with disabilities through innovative, impactful programming.

They will be a strategic collaborator with experience working across diverse teams and geographies. The role involves international travel of up to 12 weeks per year to support programme delivery and stakeholder engagement.

Jobholder Requirements

 Essential:

• Substantial experience leading and developing programmes focused on digital skills, training, and transition to employment, particularly in the Global South.
• Experience working within NGO or non-profit contexts, including managing donor-funded programmes.
• Proven ability to engage with a wide range of labour market stakeholders, especially the private sector, to improve employment and decent work outcomes.
• Strong understanding of current developments in AI and digital technologies and their implications for employment and labour markets in African and Global South contexts.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with the ability to produce detailed reports and deliver presentations.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to plan from both programmatic and organisational perspectives.
• Excellent leadership, networking, and stakeholder engagement skills, with diplomacy and tact.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and work effectively within diverse teams.
• Experience developing and adapting technical guidance and programming tools.
• A clear commitment to disability inclusion, equality, and justice in digital and employment spaces.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for up to 12 weeks per year.

Desirable:

• Experience in advocacy for marginalised groups, particularly in disability inclusion.
• Proficiency in French.