Supporting development through education is at the heart of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). This intergovernmental agency was created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL operates on the premise that knowledge is the key to individual freedom and to cultural, social and economic development. Since COL began operations in 1988, it has introduced or enhanced hundreds of teaching/training programs in more than 45 countries. It has influenced the development of open schools and universities, conducted training and studies on specific educational needs, established an extensive network of education and technology specialists around the world and facilitated systemic changes in the delivery of education and in the development of policies for education in Commonwealth countries. As the current President and CEO completes a successful term in office, COL’s multinational Board of Governors is seeking a successor who will continue the crucial work of the organization.
As the new President and CEO, you will expand COL’s relationships across the full breadth of the Commonwealth while strengthening the commitments of the governments who voluntarily fund those outreach programs of the organization. With your passionate commitment to open learning and distance education, you will work with the Board to shape a strategy that accelerates social and economic progress. In so doing, you will draw on the expertise of your team of education specialists to assess needs and identify priorities at the national and grassroots levels and be a relentless advocate and ambassador of empowerment through technology and shared knowledge promoting gender equality and the needs of women and girls. A progressive and supportive leader for a small, dedicated team, you will foster COL’s well-managed, disciplined operational approach through results-based management with monitoring and evaluation as an integral component.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a distinguished, innovative and influential leader with a passion for improving the quality of life for people across the Commonwealth through education and development. As the ideal candidate, you bring exceptional diplomatic, relationship building, communication, stakeholder engagement, and fund-raising skills combined with the ability to bring together a diverse work force to positively focus and deliver on COL’s vision and strategy. You have an appreciation of the role that open, distance and technology-enabled learning plays in the context of international development. Candidates must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country and willing to relocate to Vancouver, Canada. Significant international travel will be expected.
To fill this position, the Commonwealth of Learning has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers Berndtson. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online with a cover letter and resume by July 21, 2023, at https://careers.odgersberndtson.com/en-ca/18978. For more information, please contact Kyle Mechar of Odgers Berndtson at kyle.mechar@odgersberndtson.com. We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
