Project Manager, Together Towards the Future: Collaboration Survey on Basic Education in Central Ostrobothnian Municipalities - Lestijärven kunta

Seeking a project manager for the 'Together Towards the Future' project, a collaboration survey on basic education in Central Ostrobothnian municipalities. We are looking for a project manager for a joint development project involving nine municipalities, aiming to ensure high-quality and equitable basic education in a changing environment. The project addresses challenges related to demographic changes and declining student numbers by developing inter-municipal cooperation solutions and creating strategic pathways for organizing basic education until 2035. Participating municipalities are Halsua, Kannus, Kaustinen, Kinnula, Lestijärvi, Perho, Reisjärvi, Toholampi, and Veteli. The project is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the participating municipalities. What do we offer? · An opportunity to influence the future organization and operational models of basic education regionally and nationally · A vantage point for developing municipal cooperation and educational services · A broad network of cooperation (municipalities, authorities, experts) · A responsible role in a significant development project · Support from the education directors' working group, inter-municipal steering group, regional team, and expert network Your tasks as a project manager · Responsible for overall coordination, progress, implementation, and achievement of project goals according to the project plan · Creating situational awareness and data foundation for future solutions and action plans · Planning and developing inter-municipal cooperation models for basic education · Preparing structural, operational, and network-based cooperation solutions and action proposals · Implementing project communication and organizing events and workshops · Managing project administration, monitoring, and reporting in collaboration with regional administrative services · Utilizing external service resources to support your work Requirements · Suitable higher university degree (e.g., education sciences, administrative sciences, social sciences) · Experience in leading or coordinating development projects related to education or inter-municipal cooperation · Good understanding of basic education, municipal decision-making, or public administration · Ability to lead cooperation processes and networks among multiple actors · Fluent spoken and written Finnish · Good organizational, communication, and facilitation skills · Willingness to travel to project municipalities, which requires the use of a personal car. Preferred qualifications · Municipal leadership roles, e.g., in basic education, education administration, or general administration · Experience in inter-municipal cooperation · Experience with contract and administrative procedures in the public sector · Competence in remote teaching, digital solutions, or pedagogical development · Experience in strategic planning and impact assessment Employment conditions The position is temporary and full-time for the duration of the project, approximately one year. The start date is negotiable. Employment terms are based on the practices of the Kaustinen regional unit and the KVTES collective agreement. Applicants may specify their salary expectations. The work location is within the project municipalities, with potential hybrid work arrangements. The project requires visits to the municipalities involved. Application instructions Send your application and CV by August 16, 2026, via email to: kirjaamo@kaustisenseutukunta.fi. Email subject: Project Manager – Together Towards the Future, (your name). In your application, please include: · What expertise you bring to the project · Your experience with cooperation and development processes · An example of a successful development task you have completed. For more information Development Director Petri Jylhä, tel. 050 551 3030, petri.jylha@kaustisenseutukunta.fi