Output 1 Lead at FHI 360

Basic Function:

• Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Output 1 Lead will provide technical and management leadership on all Output 1 activities, including materials development and distribution; in-service and pre-service training; school leadership and community support, and monitoring and evaluation.
• The Output 1 lead will be responsible for coordinating with DAI, subcontractors, government stakeholders, and project staff to ensure high-quality and timely deliverables. The Output 1 Lead will also provide information to the donor upon request.

Essential Job Functions, Duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate with FHI 360, the project prime, and stakeholders on project design and work plan development; lead annual work planning for Output 1 of the project
• Coordinate with the Education Coordinator, MEL coordinator, State Team Leads, and other key staff to assure timely completion of deliverables in the annual work plan
• Oversee administrative and finance staff to develop and monitor the budget and work plan for Output 1
• Provide inputs on technical design of activities and provide high-level oversight of key technical deliverables
• Communicate regularly with FHI 360 HQ for technical inputs and management support; provide updates to HQ as requested
• Liaise with project sub-contractors on their project components, and maintain their accountability for timely, high-quality deliverables
• Provide consisted reports to the prime organization and the donor, as requested
• Lead on technical presentations for Output 1, with the support of technical advisors
• Maintain strong relationships with government partners at the local, state and federal levels.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings, project updates, study tours, symposia, and other activities with key stakeholders to ensure broad involvement and local ownership of the project.
• Ensure that materials development processes are completed on time and with a high degree of quality
• Oversee staff and stakeholders to improve capacity, accountability and equity within State Colleges of Education in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa
• Oversee project staff and stakeholders to strengthen the system for in-service training in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa.
• Oversee staff and stakeholders to strengthen school leadership via School Based Management Committees and Head Teacher capacity building.
• Oversee staff and stakeholders to establish systems for improving teacher attendance and time on task.
• Oversee staff and stakeholders to mobilize communities to increase demand for quality education.
• Oversee staff and stakeholders to develop standardized learning assessments at the school level
• Oversee staff and stakeholders to effectively collect, aggregate, visualize and use assessment data for decision making
• Coordinate with GESI and disabilities specialists to promote inclusive practices across the project

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of reading & literacy programs in Nigeria.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the political and ethical issues surrounding formative learning processes.
• Proficient writing and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain good working relationship with staff and other partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially in terms of reporting.
• Relevant computer software and internet skills (at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office and Excel). 
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English and Hausa language.
• Ability to travel within Nigeria minimum of 50%.

Minimum requirement standards:

• Master’s degree in education with a concentration in early grade reading, literacy, language acquisition and non-formal education or related field.
• At least 7 to 9 years’ experience in education reform with a focus on primary education sector work in language acquisition and/or child literacy or reading especially in Hausa Language. certification as reading/literacy specialist preferred.
• Demonstrated project leadership skills. Experience leading education projects in Nigeria strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with government, partners and/or local government structures and school settings
• Proven expertise in mother tongue (L1), early grade reading instruction and/or assessment and reading material development, preferably in Hausa Language.
• Significant experience in developing and producing of student reading materials, workbooks, trainers’ and teachers’ guides and instructional materials to improve early grades reading
• Has ability to coordinate reading interventions, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities
• Strong leadership qualities and facilitation skills, experience in working with teachers to improve practice
• Demonstrable knowledge of research-based best practices in content-area reading skills and strategies and literacy instruction
• Experience/preparation in modeling teaching, observing teachers, and providing non-judgmental feedback.