Co-Lead, Global Program on Learning Minds

About the Jacobs Foundation

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Jacobs Foundation is one of the world’s leading foundations in the field of child and youth development. Established by entrepreneur Klaus J. Jacobs and his family in 1989, we commit an average annual budget of CHF 55 million to support research and programs in the fields of learning and child and youth development.

For more than 30 years, we have devoted ourselves to promoting child and youth development all over the world. With the complex social changes taking place in the world today, education is becoming increasingly important for success in life. Through our activities, we identify important issues and societal needs in education and learning. Together with our partners we seek to find innovative ways to promote learning and child development, and to facilitate social change and lasting impact.

Our projects span a range of activities, including research on individual learning and education and technology, facilitating the sharing of best practices, collaborative efforts to eradicate child labour, research fellowships, and a major international conference.

The Learning Minds portfolio combines rigorous research, social innovation, and entrepreneurship on a global scale to strengthen the global research and evidence base and shape the future of learning and development.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-lead key research- and network-focused programs of the Foundation, including full budget responsibility (~CHF 10 M p.a.):

              - Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program

              - Jacobs Foundation Conferences

              - Coalitions for Evidence-Inspired Action

              - LEAP (Leverage Evidence to Action to Promote Change)

              - Klaus J. Jacobs Awards

• Develop, innovate, and manage mechanisms to connect researchers and practitioners and foster evidence-based education policies, initiatives, and programs 
• Develop, innovate, and manage partnerships with research institutions globally
• Contribute research and evaluation expertise to and collaborate closely with the other programs of the Foundation (“Learning Schools” and “Learning Societies”)

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in Developmental Psychology or another quantitative social science from a major research university is required (completed postdoctoral training and teaching experience would be an advantage)
• Min. 5 years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in a research role in an international foundation and/or NGO focusing on child learning and development are required
• Strong quantitative research skills and experience in longitudinal research and experimental scientific evaluation methods are required
• Demonstrated ability to stay current with new developments in the science of learning field is required. Familiarity with new and emerging approaches such as behavioural insights and human-centered design is a plus
• Proven ability to manage educational or social research, including identifying behavioural drivers, and tracking, measurement and evaluation of social change is desirable
• Work and life experience in an African or Latin American country is required
• Fluency in English is required; skills in German, French, or Spanish are an advantage
• Willingness to relocate to Zurich/Switzerland and to travel internationally

What the Jacobs Foundation offers

• A dynamic, international, and highly supportive working environment with a meaningful purpose
• Attractive employment conditions
• The opportunity to contribut e to the Jacobs Foundation’s investment in the future of young people by transforming learning and education worldwide
• Working as part of a small, cohesive team in a beautifully located historic building in our Zurich office

How to Apply

Before applying, please check that you can answer yes to the following questions:

• Do you meet the requirements and have the needed experience?
• Are you willing to work on site in Zurich approx. 3 days per week (incl. relocation to Switzerland, if applicable)?

If you can answer yes to the above questions, then please proceed to click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, you will be re-directed to our jobs portal where you can complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter.

Please provide a CV and cover letter in two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Timeline Closing Date: 

17th April 2022

Selection process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

Equality Statement

The Jacobs Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, age or any other characteristic protected by law

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email hr@jacobsfoundation.org in the first instance