Aga Khan Foundation (East
Africa)
Employment Opportunities
Strengthening Education
Systems Project in East Africa (SESEA)
AKF(EA) works in five
sectors including Health, Education, Early Childhood Development, Rural
Development and Civil Society enhancement.
Over the last several years, AKF (EA)’s programmes have evolved and expanded in response to government policies, beneficiary demand and assessment of needs.
In order to optimise AKF
(EA)’s efficiency and effectiveness as a development actor in the region, it
seeks to support and improve innovations that create viable solutions to
community problems that impede development.
AKF (EA) is seeking
experienced personnel for the implementation of a complex, multi-partner,
regional education project.
The Strengthening Education
Systems in East Africa (SESEA) is a five year project co-funded by CIDA and AKF
that aims to sustainably improve learning outcomes, with a particular focus on
literacy and numeracy, for pre-primary and primary students in selected areas
of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The project components
include
a) professional development
of educators,
b) strengthening
institutions and education support systems and
c) enhancement of evidence
based knowledge for policy dialogue.
AKF is inviting
applications for the following exciting positions based at its Regional Office
in Nairobi with frequent travel in the region to work with implementing
partners.
1. Monitoring, Evaluation and
Reporting (MER) Coordinator
The position will report to
the Programme Director.
The MER Coordinator will
oversee the design and implementation of the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation
and Reporting systems in partnership with AKDN implementing agencies.
Specifically, the MER Coordinator will;
- Develop the
Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Framework and set up project
monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Coordinate
the implementation of project baseline, mid-line and end-line for each
assessment by a reputable organisation.
- Assist the
Programme Director and the Programme Grant Coordinator in the
implementation of the project research and learning agenda.
- Carry out
quality assurance of the project activities including regular field
monitoring and supervision.
- Provide
remote and on-site technical support to project implementing partners.
- Prepare
regional M&E progress reports for the project.
- Coordinate
project M&E and reporting activities among all relevant agencies.
- Assist in
the identification and recruitment of relevant MER technical experts.
- Liaise with
other relevant AKF/AKDN personnel on MER related issues as necessary.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Graduate
degree in a relevant discipline, such as education, international
development, or the social sciences.
- Minimum of 4
years of relevant practical experience designing and implementing M&E
systems in a development context, preferably in the education sector.
- Knowledge
and experience of results-based monitoring and evaluation with particular
attention to assessing gender equality results
- Planning
implementation of M&E systems
- Experience
in M&E development, implementation, Information analysis and reporting
- Proven
experience with results-based management and associated tools, donor
requirements and reporting processes
- Proven
experience working with NGOs and government agencies, and with
donor-funded projects
- Ability to
meet strict reporting deadlines
- Excellent
written and oral communications skills in English and excellent
analytical, organisational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
2. Programme Grant Coordinator
The Position will report to
the Programme Director. The Programme Grant Coordinator will be responsible for
ensuring the project meets AKF and donor requirements and will also lead the
preparation of accurate, high quality and timely reporting.
The incumbent will work
closely with various agencies.
Specifically, the Programme
Grant Coordinator will:
- Coordinate
the development of project annual planning and reporting processes.
- Provide
analysis, synthesize and articulate the lessons, challenges, and risks
emerging from the project, and feed these back into project planning and
implementation.
- Develop and
coordinate the implementation of a Communication Strategy for the project
with partners.
- Work with
field implementing partners, to draft, consolidate and edit project
reports, annual work plans, briefs, communications pieces and other
relevant documents.
- Assist in
the creation and support of the project learning agenda to inform and
improve policy and practices in education, both nationally and within the
region.
- Work with
the Finance Officer to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Graduate degree
in a relevant discipline, such as international development, economics,
education, or the social sciences
- Minimum 2
years of relevant experience in results-based management, grant
management, financial management, donor requirements and reporting processes
- Relevant
practical experience in a development context, preferably in the education
sector
- Familiarity/experience
with development issues in East Africa and the education sector
- Excellent
organizational and planning skills and an ability to work under pressure
with multiple tasks, demands and deadlines
- Proven
ability to meet strict reporting deadlines and to produce results
- Excellent
written and oral communications skills in English and superb analytical,
organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and problem-solving skills
3. Gender Specialist
The Gender Specialist will
report to the Programme Director and will serve as a technical advisor for the
project, providing targeted expertise to ensure that gender as a cross-cutting
theme is considered and addressed throughout the project implementation.
The incumbent will ensure
that AKDN implementing partners are empowered to effectively engage in policy
dialogue relevant to gender equality in the education sector and will assist
partners to develop and implement detailed, country-specific gender action
plans.
The Incumbent will also
strengthen the capacity of AKDN implementing agencies, identifying specific
opportunities for improving and mainstreaming gender equality through project
activities.
In collaboration with AKF
and partners, the Gender Specialist will support the project’s integration of
gender into its activities, including monitoring and evaluation tools.
The main tasks will
include:
- Provide
analysis on gender equality issues, synthesize and articulate the lessons,
challenges, and risks related to gender, and apply these to on-going
project planning and implementation.
- Analyse
current policies and practices within the education systems to identify
existing barriers that inhibit equal access to education and provide
practical recommendations to address these barriers within the project
scope.
- Work with
the team to review and integrate gender equality issues within all project
planning, MER systems, project implementation and reporting.
- Assist to
identify specific activities to integrate gender, and provide support for
their implementation, including identification and supervision of gender
consultants.
- Provide
training, supplementary learning materials, and technical assistance to
staff and partners to build their understanding of gender and education
systems.
- Provide
support to strengthen the capacity of implementing agencies to ensure that
pedagogical practices, teaching/learning materials, classroom
environments, education management, teacher training programs and
community/parent committees are gender sensitive.
- Work with
project team and implementing partners to ensure that the Research and
Learning Agenda integrates gender equality issues.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
The Gender Specialist
should meet the following criteria in terms of qualifications, technical
competencies, and experience:
- Graduate
degree in a relevant discipline, such as gender, education, or the social
sciences
- Minimum of 7
years relevant, practical experience in a developing country context, with
at least three years of experience applying gender analysis to
implementation of education development projects
- Experience
working with NGOs and government agencies, and with donor-funded projects
- Experience
in conducting gender analyses and implementing gender equality activities
in international development projects, particularly in the education
sector
- Knowledge
and experience of results-based monitoring and evaluation with particular
attention to assessing gender equality results
- Proven
ability to meet strict reporting deadlines and produce results
- Excellent
written and oral communications skills in English and superb analytical,
organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and problem-solving skills
Qualified
applicants should submit a cover letter, CV and the names and contact
information of three professional referees by 22nd February, 2013 to the
Regional Human Resource Manager, Aga Khan Foundation, East Africa, via e-mail
to. recruitment-akfea@akdn.org.
Only shortlisted candidates
will be contacted.
The Aga Khan Foundation is
an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org).
