Job Openings at Creative Associates International

Category: Programs
Req ID: DEPUT01962
Posted Date: 2020-02-25
Schedule: Full Time
Location: Abuja, Nigeria NGA

Project Summary:

This position is for an upcoming education project in Nigeria, which seeks to improve student access to school and literacy outcomes in a language they use and understand in Grades 1-3 in select areas of Nigeria, equitably and sustainably.

Position Summary:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) acts as the Chief of Party (COP) in the absence of the COP. The DCOP will be responsible for management of the technical activities and implementation of the project.

Reporting & Supervision:

The DCOP reports to the COP and supervises program staff.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work under the leadership of the COP to support the technical teams in the implementation of programs to improve the early grade literacy through enhanced school leadership and teacher training, improved instruction and assessment, community-based initiatives, and improved learning delivery systems;
• Provide technical direction and guidance to the technical team members, working with the COP to craft technically-sound training and early grade literacy programming;
• Support development of implementation strategies and work plans, and coordinate the day-to-day management of technical staff and technical management of the program in the field offices;
• Facilitate knowledge management, communications, and information flow for program implementation;
• Support timely report preparation, including quarterly and annual reports and ensure compliance in reporting to USAID, home office, and government counterparts;
• Maintain a working knowledge of work plan budgets and expenditures, and assist the technical teams to set up and implement appropriate systems for program implementation;
• Build strong technical team management structure that enables teams to function productively and collegially with program partners and stakeholders; and
• Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events in the absence of the COP.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Master's Degree or higher in relevant field such as education, management, social sciences, or development studies;

• At least seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in management of high-quality development programs is required, or an additional three (3) years of experience to substitute the education requirement;

• At least six (6) years of experience in senior program management including direct supervision of professional and support staff improving educational quality in developing countries;West Africa/ Nigeria experience preferred;

• Demonstrated experience improving evidence-based education programming, capacity building and professional development, including rural, multilingual, and underserved populations;

• Prior experience in policy advocacy, monitoring and oversight, capacity development in education sector, and experience in awarding and managing grants to local organizations to promote education-related goals is preferred;

• Previous experience with USAID-funded programs is required;
• Knowledge of basic education program design and technical issues;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Fluent English; strong oral and written communication skills.
  Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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Project Summary

• The Northern Nigeria Education Initiative Plus (NEI Plus) project works to improve the quality of and access to education in Northern Nigeria, equitably and sustainably.

Position Summary

• The Hausa reading specialist provides overall technical oversight and guidance to the project’s support to improved reading instruction.

Reporting & Supervision:

• This position is housed in Abuja, Nigeria, reporting to the Senior Reading Specialist.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support all NEI Plus supported trainings in Hausa reading, specifically training of master trainers, school support officers and teachers.
• Coordinate and support ICT based classroom supervision and monitoring by school support officers and all student testing efforts,
• Conduct dedicated field based monitoring to identi1’ instructional challenges, design and implement appropriate mitigation mechanism.
• Ensure complementarily of activity approaches in reading across the NET Plus activity states and that children in NEJ Plus public, and NFLC schools achieve improved outcomes in reading Hausa.
• Lead and/or support all project related activities in review and/or development of Hausa reading teaching and learning materials (including instructional videos).
• Liaise with other project components and government representatives on technical matters.
• Works closely with the Senior Reading Specialist to develop close working relationship with government parastatals and agencies.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Sr. Reading Specialist.

Required Skills& Qualifications

• Requires a Master's Degree in education, preferably with a specialty in early grade reading. Ph.D. in education with a focus on early childhood education and/or early grade learning preferred.
• Primary school teaching experience preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience in programs in sub-Saharan Africa that work specifically to improve early grade reading is required.
• Prior experience with early grade reading materials, training programs, classroom monitoring protocols, and tests and assessments, including EGRA, is required.
• Prior experience with supporting government monitoring system of reading outcomes is required.
• The candidate must be professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken English. It is required, that the candidate be conversant and fluent in written Hausa.