(i) The African Virtual
University (AVU) is a Pan African
Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of
significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training
through the innovative use of information communication technologies.
The AVU has its
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with
Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.
The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts:
The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts:
(a) Educational and support
services provided on a fee basis; and
(b) Not-for-profit
development services.
The Not-for-profit development
services aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with
an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following
activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER)
Development; AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL
centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices;
Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.
Some of the not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries with 12 participating institutions.
ii. The AfDB-funded Multinational Support Project: The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries.
The overall objective of
the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a
network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated
education and training opportunities in 21 African countries.
The project has the
following activities:
(1) Establishment of new
Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU
Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner
Institutions;
(2) Development and/or
improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity
Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace and
Conflict Resolution;
(3) Gender
Mainstreaming
(4) Research and
Development;
(5) Promotion and
development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and
(6) Enhancement of AVU
Capacity .
The AVU Multinational
Project II is being implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following
21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso,
Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger,
Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea
Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (8) Anglophone African Countries: Ethiopia,
Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.
To successfully implement
the activities related to the development of the education programs in the
project, the AVU wishes to engage a Programs Officer to undertake the administrative tasks.
The Programs Officer will
work with the Educational Technology and Learning Resources (ET&LR) unit in
the implementation of the following programs:
(i) Open Distance and
eLearning Professional Development (ODeLPD);
(ii) Teacher Education
(TEP);
(iii) Applied Computer
Science (ACSP); and
(iv) Peace Management and
Conflict Resolution (PM&CR).
1. Scope of Work
The Programs’ Officer will
be responsible for the following tasks in the ET&LR Unit:
- Coordinating
the engagement process of the required consultant in the unit
- Ensuring the
consultants and Subject matter experts have been issued with contracts in
a timely manner
- Processing
the payments of the consultants
- Managing the
communication in terms of drafting letters and or emails in the programs
- Assisting in
compiling Unit’s Reports
- Meticulously
keeping all records of the processes in the unit, that is, managing the
filing (electronic and manual) system of all processes’ records.
- Drafting
letters, scheduling appointments and providing support in development of
presentations and public awareness materials
- Making
logistical arrangements for seminars, workshops, study tours, conferences
and coordinating travel arrangements for the unit
- Liaising
with procurement and finance offices for timely acquisition of goods and
services required
- Coordinating
the translation of Unit’s documents and modules in the unit by external
firms(s)
- Translating
short administrative documents
- Arranging
and taking notes in Unit’s meeting and file them accordingly
- Any other
duties that may be assigned from time to time.
2. Deliverables and Expected Outcomes
- Well-coordinated
and documented processes in the ET&LR unit
- Contracts
and payment of consultants and SMEs done in a timely manner
- Well-arranged
and documented meetings
- Timely and
relevant communication with stake holders in the Unit’s activities
- Reports
drafted and finalized as needed
- Units
seminars and workshops (virtual of face to face) meticulously planned and
implemented
- Units travel
logistics efficiently arranged
- Units
required goods and services acquired in a timely manner
- Well-coordinated
translation process for the Units documents and modules
- Short
administrative documents translated as requested
- Other duties
requested accomplished as agreed
3. Qualifications of The Program Officer
- University
degree in Social Sciences / Business studies
- At least
five years relevant working experience
- Good
understanding of budgeting and financial management procedures
- Proficiency
in database applications and MS office suit
- Experience
in an NGO or international organization environment is an added advantage
- Good
interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated
experience in planning, organizing and co-ordination of meetings and
workshops
- Demonstrated
office Management skills and experience gained in a busy office
- Ability to
work under tight schedules and willingness to put in extra hours
- Ability to
work under minimum supervision
- Excellent
oral and written bi-lingual communication skills in English and French; or
English and Portuguese. Tri-lingual skills in English, Portuguese and
French are an added advantage.
4. Modalities of Work and Timelines: The Programs’ Officer
will work 5 days a week from 9.00am to 5.30 and will be based in the AVU
Offices in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a full time employment
5. Duration: 12 Months with a
possibility of renewal
6. Reporting: The Program Officer will
report to the Manager, ET&LR with dotted lines to the Programs’
Instructional Designers or any other person that the AVU may appoint from time
to time.
7. Payment: The Officer will be paid
at a monthly rate commensurate with his/her education and experience.
How to Apply
The African Virtual University (AVU) is an equal opportunity employer.
How to Apply
The African Virtual University (AVU) is an equal opportunity employer.
The successful candidate
will be appointed for 12 months with possibility of extension
Application must include an
application letter and a detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number;
email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses of three
professional references.
Applications should be sent
to job@avu.org and must have PROGRAMS OFFICER as the email subject
All inquiries should be
sent to avuhr@avu.org
The successful candidate
will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The closing date for these
applications is on or before October 14th 2014 at 18:00 East African Time
(UTC/GMT + 3)
Note: ONLY shortlisted
candidates will be contacted
