Global Technical Lead: Digital Futures at Sightsavers

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.

This is full time, in person role, with the post holder expected to work from the Sightsavers’ office in either Abuja, Accra, Lusaka or Nairobi five days per week.
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.

Please note that the post holder is expected to travel up to 12 weeks per year.
Skills and Experience

• The GTL will bring strong expertise in the employment and labour market elements of Africa's digital and IT sectors, including skills development, training and transition to 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:

• Master's degree or higher (PhD preferred) in digital economy, digital policy, digital or economic sociology, political economy, development studies, global labour studies, or a related subject or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable understanding of current debates and issues in AI and digital technologies, and the implications for skills, employment, decent work and labour markets in African and Global South contexts.
• Experience of leading and developing programmes on digital skills, training and transition to employment, especially 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.
• Experience working on TVET systems.
• Previous experience of engaging with tripartite labour market stakeholders, especially the private sector and especially in digital sectors, to improve employment and decent work outcomes.
• 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.