Education Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Education Specialist reports directly to the Program Manager. He/she is responsible for providing technical advice and guidance on the development and implementation of education programs in line with the Country Strategic Plan and Right To Play’s global theory of change.  The incumbent works to integrate Right To Play’s methodologies into the system-level education planning and delivery, the curriculum of provincial and national boards/agencies, as well as, the activities of Right To Play’s strategic and implementing partners. This includes developing materials and resources as necessary, in collaboration with the Education Specialist at Headquarters as relevant. The incumbent also provides technical input to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist/Officer on the development of education-related performance measurement frameworks, baseline assessments and evaluations. He/she plays a leadership role in policy engagement with external stakeholders. The Education Specialist is also responsible for analyzing education related results from Right To Play’s interventions and bringing innovative knowledge to organizational approaches.

I. Responsibilities:

a) Program planning, implementation and delivery - 60%

• Together with the Program Manager, leads the design and development of education program strategies in close coordination with the Education Specialist at HQ to ensure alignment with RTP’s global theory of change
• Leads technical planning and monitoring of RTP’s education program(s) in line with the Country Strategic Plan, the Ministry of Education plans, and donor requirements.
• Supports Country Office Program Manager in developing education focused & integrated project proposals and concept notes for new projects.
• Identifies and develops new partnerships with education-focused NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and communities.
• In coordination with Country Office Program Manager, the Gender Specialist and program staff ensures that issues of gender equality, inclusion, child protection and safeguarding, accountability, risk and vulnerability are addressed and monitored throughout all education programs.
• Leads in developing curricula and resources for basic education programs (pre-primary and primary) as needed, working in collaboration with the Global Training and Capacity Building Specialist
• Builds networks with other Education Specialists in the region to support cross-learning with other RTP country programs in the region.
• Stays abreast of new developments and opportunities to develop new initiatives to improve education outcomes for children in the country
• Provides technical leadership on the procurement and/or development of appropriate teaching and learning materials, training manuals and education resources
• Develops and promotes support-materials for incorporating activity based learning methods for teachers
• In close coordination with the Training Officer, conducts needs assessments in support of designing training for education departments, teachers and Education District Officers, and RTP strategic and implementing partners, where applicable
• Works closely with teacher training and curriculum development institutions to integrate RTP methodology into the curriculum, textbooks, and classroom teaching.
• Regularly develops lessons learned and best practices and shares them with the programs team, stakeholders, and the Regional Office, ensuring that program lessons are being used to promote improved program delivery
• Collaborates with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist/Officer (MELS/O) to develop appropriate systems, tools and procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of education programs

b) Representation, advocacy and policy engagement - 25%

• In close coordination with the Program Manager and the Country Director, leads RTP’s advocacy and policy effort in the education sector by participating in national coordination forums as applicable national strategic planning for the education sector, relevant technical working groups and other key coordination platforms.
• Represents RTP in various platforms and maintains positive relationships with governments and other relevant stakeholders regarding RTP activities.
• Regularly updates stakeholder analysis for the education sector and ensures that RTP is engaging with and is visible to the most influential actors in the sector.
• Coordinates research and advocacy interventions related to the program at national and international level, using data from school-level interventions to advocate for national-level policy development/implementation, in close coordination with the MELS/O.
• Leads and develops RTP’s analysis and best practices in education programming in the country and disseminates through documents and position papers with education stakeholders and within RTP at the regional and global levels.
• Provides technical inputs to global strategies, policies and resources related to education programming to ensure that country experience and realities are well-reflected.
• Oversees the engagement plan of sub-granted partners and leads on the technical & thematic development accordingly
• Increases presence on digital learning platforms (online learning) or on media (TV program for learning)
• Promotes knowledge of RTP mandate and values through a responsible representation of RTP amongst all stakeholders and potential partners involved in education work and local and national working group

c) Capacity-building support - 10%

• Ensures that country staff are properly supported with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to deliver education program interventions.
•  Conducts regular visits to the field to provide technical support to program teams.

d) Performs other duties as assigned 

II- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Required)

a) EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION 

​​​​​​​Master’s degree in Education or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

b) EXPERIENCE

5 years’ experience implementing and providing technical guidance on basic education programs and liaising with government officials. Proven experience in project planning, report writing, networking, partnership-building and working with NGOs. Significant experience in designing and delivering training and/or the development of education materials and resources.

c) COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

- Superior organizational skills and ability to multi-task on a constant basis

- Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders=

- Ability to adapt and work under pressure meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

- Creative and flexible with problem-solving skills

- Demonstrated professionalism and diplomacy

- Ability to represent oneself as an effective Right To Play ambassador to high-level officials

- Strategy planning skills for education initiatives

- People management particularly influence management

d)  TECHNICAL SKILLS

- Understanding of active learning approaches, particularly play-based learning

- Knowledge and understanding of best practices in basic education programs, including technical experience in teacher training and resource and curriculum development

- Understanding of community development processes

- Strong MS Office and program management tools and procedures

- Knowledge and experience with programmatic approaches related to life skills or social-emotional learning

- Knowledge and experience in education research, quantitative and qualitative methods

III- DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (An Asset)

- Experience in quality improvement

- Experience in strengthening civil society organizations  

- Experience in coaching

- Knowledge/experience in child protection, gender mainstreaming and/or governance

- Knowledge of adult learning  

- Knowledge of international donors​​​​​​​