Vice President

at  Korn Ferry International

The Organisation
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) helps governments and institutions expand the scale, efficiency and quality of learning by using new approaches, appropriate technologies and open and distance learning (ODL) methodologies. COL promotes learning for sustainable development. It is financed by voluntary contributions from Commonwealth Member States.
COL was established in 1987 by Commonwealth Heads of Government “… to create and widen access to opportunities for learning, making use of the potential offered by distance education and by the application of communication technologies to education.” (Memorandum of Understanding on the Commonwealth of Learning).
Hosted by the Government of Canada with headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia, COL is the only intergovernmental organisation solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning. It is governed by a distinguished Board of Governors whose membership is drawn from around the Commonwealth and brings leadership and expertise in a wide range of areas.
COL’s greatest impact is in supporting efforts that lead to improved lives and livelihoods, especially of marginalised people, through increased, equitable and inclusive access to quality learning opportunities - believing, in effect, that learning must lead to economic growth, social inclusion and environmental conservation.
COL values and maintains an organisational culture that is respectful, ethical and fair.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Core competencies support COL’s mission, vision and values. COL strives to model a high performing culture supported by leaders with the following competencies:

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Vice President has direct responsibilities for the strategic direction and implementation of COL’s programme aligned to its mission; research and thought leadership in support of innovative services and use of technologies in ‘learning for sustainable development’; and the strategic development and effective management of Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), COL’s regional office in New Delhi, India.
The Vice President fosters appreciation of COL and the Commonwealth generally to advance COL’s outcomes and impact.
Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President (VP) is a principal advisor to the President on all matters related to the programme, including research, policies and operations. The VP plays a leadership role in developing and implementing COL’s goals and strategies; identifying emerging opportunities and strategic leverage points; building and enhancing partnerships with Member States; ensuring quality and accountability; raising the visibility and influence of COL; leading programme delivery for outcomes; promoting collaboration across the organisation and evaluating the performance of the programme and projects.
This portfolio is based on a visioned restructure of COL’s current organisational structure and service delivery approach. The VP’s initial focus will be to:
 develop and implement the detailed restructure;
 lead the development of the research and evaluation function; and
 shift to a matrix service delivery approach using cross-functional teams.
These operational changes demand significant change management leadership.
The VP serves as a member of the executive team and acts on the behalf of the President & Chief Executive Officer when delegated, ensuring continuity of leadership.
In collaboration with the Director, Strategic Engagement (DSE), the VP helps formulate and leads the strategies to deliver on COL’s strategic plan and overarching stakeholder engagement framework and plays a crucial role in the development of opportunities for COL to demonstrate its global leadership in promoting learning for sustainable development, effectively collaborating with team members to identify opportunities for connections and engagement of key partners.