Vacancy Announcement: Senior Project Officer – MNFE
Organization: Adeso – African Development Solutions,
Position Title: Senior Project Officer
Project: Mobile Non-Formal Education (MNFE)
Reporting To: Head of Programs
Working with: Project Staff: Project Assistant – Education, Community Mobilizers
Other Staff: HQ Finance and Program Development and Quality Assurance Unit
Program/Duty Station: 30% Nairobi and 70% Marsabit County
Duration: 18 Months
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
For the past 25 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, Non formal education, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. At present, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.
Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Mobile Non-Formal Education (MNFE) Project seeks to enhance access to education for nomadic children aged 13-18 years in Marsabit County who are not currently enrolled in any formal schooling.
The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the MNFE Project, including liaising with donors, coordinating with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, building relationships with partners, and communicating to staff and donors.
A key aspect of the Senior Project Officer’s role will be to review the design of the current 18 months project in view of developing a theory of change and a design that would contribute to developing a high quality, innovative project for the next phase.
SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Providing technical support to the MNFE Project in delivering outlined interventions aimed at increasing access, improving quality of learning, retention, and completion and transition rates for children in non-formal settings in Marsabit County.
- S/he will facilitate the identification of the unique challenges facing the education of children from nomadic/pastoralist communities and with the support of the Senior Education Specialist, develop a raft of effective interventions aimed at providing quality education to large numbers of pastoralist children in Marsabit County, enhancing the retention and completion for those children enrolled in the MNFE program and paying particular attention to the education of girl children in the province.
- Ensuring systematic monitoring of learner achievements (with a focus on core subject instruction) and documentation of both partner and core team program activities and interventions.
- Facilitating relevant operational research whose outcome informs improvements in program design and/or policy influencing especially in relation to Non-Formal Education programs.
- Developing and maintaining relationships with the Government of Kenya (particularly the Ministry of Education and the Ministry for the Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands), NGOs, media outlets, and other relevant partners in order to influence policies favorable to the education of marginalized children.
- Facilitating discussions on the appropriateness of curricula following the outcome of learning assessments and shares action points and recommendations with relevant Ministry of Education departments.
- Taking the lead in developing Adeso’s pastoral education programming policy advocacy agenda and ensuring MNFE tested models are reviewed by relevant Ministry of Education departments for possible adaption and replications.
- Building positive and productive relations with implementing partners, Schools, targeted girls, and authorities at all levels.
- Taking the lead in strengthening the project approach as the overarching non formal education strategy (that focuses on improving the quality of learning opportunities for non-traditional students) in order to enhance community support and ownership of education programs at the district/school levels; and ensuring that the MNFE designed innovative education programs and training packages are of high quality, effectively serve the specified target group, are developed in coordination with the DEPP Project and if necessary, facilitates further refinement of these innovations.
- Supervising MNFE project staff, teachers and Community Education Committees (CECs).
- Working collaboratively with staff, teachers, CECs and partners to strengthen the educational components of the project (e.g. pedagogical teacher training, vocational training curriculum development, etc.).
- Developing teachers’ capacity to undertake regular learner assessments for identified subject areas in line with the principle of evidence-based programming.
- Facilitating learning forums [such as exhibitions, show case events, workshops] in order to encourage innovation and creativity in the teaching/learning of MNFE supported centers.
- In coordination with the Head of Programs, represent Adeso among local authorities, donors, international and national NGOs.
- Representing the organization in forums and related coordination meetings to promote program approaches while ensuring good stewardship project resources.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL
- Masters of Education or related field.
- At least 3 years of relevant NGO project management experience, preferably in education.
- A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in education programs especially programs with a bias for pastoralist communities in Kenya.
- Good understanding of the project cycle including the logical framework analysis (LFA) and Results Based Management (RBM).
- Good understanding of the dynamics and complexities in the management of programs in pastoralist settings.
- Ability to work well under pressure and with minimal supervision.
- Ability to establish strong working relationships with community members and colleagues.
- Ability to analyse information, evaluate options, and think and plan strategically.
- Excellent networking and representation skills,
- Coaching, mentoring and capacity building skills.
- Attention to detail and strong organization and planning skills.
- Excellent verbal and written skills in English.
- Computer literacy in MS Office.
- Donor reporting.
- Willing to travel regularly within remote areas.
- Resident of Marsabit County.
- Sound knowledge of the education sector with a bias on literacy, numeracy, learning assessments and the policy context.
- Direct experience with or some exposure to policy advocacy work.
DESIRABLE
- Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
- Experience working with mobile pastoralist communities.
- Experience of vocational training programs.
How to apply:
This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to [email protected], quoting “Senior Project Officer – MNFE” in the email subject matter, by 5th July, 2017.
Each application should be addressed to HR Manager and include the following:
- An updated CV with updated contact details: Phone No., Email Address and Skype ID; and
- An application letter which should include cover letter, previous remuneration history and expected remuneration and contact information for three work-related referees.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on one’s background, beliefs, gender or sexual orientation.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
