USAID Project Management Education Specialist

USAID Project Management Education Specialist

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Project Management Specialist (Education) is a specialist in the field of education in Kenya, with a focus on basic education programs. This position is in USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s (USAID/KEA) Office of Education and Youth (EDY).

Within EDY, this position works with the Basic Education Team to contribute to the Mission’s education strategy which aims to strengthen basic education by increasing the foundational skills that are key for future learning and success.

The position is critical to implementing the Mission’s Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), USAID’s Policy Framework/Journey to Self-Reliance, USAID’s Education Policy, and the U.S. Government’s (USG) Strategy on International Basic Education.

The Project Management Specialist (Education) provides technical expertise to EDY and other USAID/KEA offices on matters related to basic education. As the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), the incumbent participates in the design, procurement, negotiation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of education activities.


Statement of Duties to Be Performed

1. Manage USAID/KEA’s Basic Education Program 50%

Serves as the Mission expert in charge of the development, management, and implementation of basic education projects.

Keeps Mission staff informed of developments in education programming and provides technical guidance on how these may be applied within the Mission setting.

Achieves USAID/KEA objectives in the education sector through AOR/COR management of awards focusing on basic education with cross-cutting focus on gender, vulnerable populations, ICT, and public-private partnerships.

2. Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation Data Management & Reporting 30%

Develops and manages data to be used for assessments and monitoring, and maintains evaluation tools, calendars, forms, guidelines, procedures, results, outcomes, mechanisms, and all other useful information as necessary.

With respect to guidelines and procedures, the incumbent is responsible for assuring Mission compliance with ADS (Automated Directives System) 203.3.3 through 203.3.6 regarding performance measurement and evaluations.

Leads activity monitoring and evaluation. Makes regular site visits to monitor activity implementation and addresses arising issues. Evaluates implementing partner performance; maintains activity records and status reports; prepares project documentation; and provides solutions to implementation problems.

3. Analyze Program Effectiveness 20%

Establishes systems or procedures to regularly assess program effectiveness.
Analyzes select partner reports on education programming and identifies areas of concern to Mission management.

Independently conducts formal or informal reviews to assess program accomplishments. Analyzes program processes and impact and makes recommendations for effective changes.

Coordinates with the UDAID/KEA Development Outreach and Communication Specialist to develop communication content highlighting programmatic accomplishments and USAID education investments in Kenya.

Supervisory Relationship

The Project Management Specialist (Education) will receive overall supervision, policy guidance, and managerial oversight from the EDY Office Chief or his/her designate. S/he will give assignments verbally, set overall priorities and deadlines, and review the incumbent's completed work.

Physical Demands:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Minimum Qualifications Required for This Position

Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited

university in Education, Social Development, or another relevant discipline is required.

Prior Work Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years relevant professional experience in International Development, including field experience in education, vocational education, social development activities, or youth employment creation, is required.

S/he must demonstrate technical expertise and experience in managing and/or supervising programs/projects/activities funded by international donors.

Language Proficiency:

Level IV English speaking, reading, and writing skills is required, and good working knowledge of Kiswahili.

Incumbent must be able to produce publishable quality written documentation and to make oral presentations before high level officials.

Job Knowledge

Knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices, substantive and administrative elements of education programming in Kenya.

Thorough knowledge of Kenya's economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics and of the history of development assistance activities in Kenya is required.

Must be able to obtain, analyze and evaluate complex data to prepare precise and accurate reports and oral briefings of information received.

Must be thoroughly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, and other word processing packages and online collaboration tools such as Google Suite.

Skills and Abilities

The incumbent operates independently, and his/her work is reviewed primarily on the basis of results achieved within the broad constraints of policy and priorities.

The incumbent must be able to independently analyze political, social, economic, and policy issues and formulate, present, and successfully defend complex investment structures and implementation actions around basic education development in a clear, effective and professional manner.

The incumbent must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with highest and working level officials throughout the Mission, as well as GoK officials, donors, the private sector, and nongovernmental participating organizations.

The incumbent must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission.

The incumbent must be able to track and evaluate the latest developments in the education arena.

The ability to provide information and advice with objectivity is required.

The ability to orient, train, and supervise lower-level Foreign Service National personnel, when appropriate, is required.

A high level of English language writing ability, strong knowledge of computer software, administrative and management skills, policy and diplomacy skills are necessary.

The position requires strong communication, mentoring, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs, sometimes with short deadlines.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; USAID Project Management Education Specialist

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