Education Specialist Job at Right To Play, Africa Programs ( International Job Post )

Job tittle: Education Specialist
Country: Uganda
City: Kampala
Organization: Right To Play

Right To Play is looking for two qualified, experienced and self-motivated Education Specialist for the Africa Programs.  The Africa Office is based in Kampala, Uganda. The Africa Office covers ten countries including, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Benin, Ghana, Mali, Liberia and Rwanda.

About Right To Play

Right To Play is a global organization, using the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps over one million children learn through play to create better futures, while driving lasting social change in more than 20 countries each week. Founded in 2000 by social entrepreneur and four-time Olympic gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national fundraising offices in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Regional offices are in Africa, Middle East and Asia and North America. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 14,400 local volunteer.

Duties and responsibilities:
 
Programme planning, implementation and delivery:

1.     Leads the design and development of education program strategies across the Africa region and coordinates with the Regional Program Manager (RPM) and program teams to ensure alignment with RTP strategies;
2.     Supports and leads the delivery of technical planning and implementation of RTP’ education program(s) in line with the organizations strategic plan, the Ministry of Education plans, and donor requirements;
3.     Working with the Regional Program Officers, provides technical inputs into program implementation plans and ensures that annual, quarterly and monthly work plans are in place to achieve targets and expected results;
4.     Supports the RPM and country teams in developing education focused project proposals for new projects;
5.     In coordination with Regional Program Manager 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;
6.     Leads in developing curricula and resources for basic education programs (pre-primary and primary) as needed, working in collaboration with the Regional Training and Capacity Building Officer;
7.     Provides technical support to ensure linkages, synergy and cross-learning with all RTP country programs across the region;
8.     Provides the technical lead in researching new initiatives that lead to improved education outcomes for children;
9.     Provides technical leadership on the procurement and/or development of appropriate teaching and learning materials, training manuals and education resources, and ensures that distribution and monitoring plans are developed for their use in schools;
10.     Develops and promotes support-materials for incorporating activity based learning methods for teachers;
11.     Assesses the needs of teaching methodologies to design training for education departments, teachers and Education District Officers, where applicable;
12.     Works closely with teacher training and curriculum development institutions to integrate RTP methodology into curriculum, text books and class room teaching;
13.     Leads the development of a specific resource for teachers to promote use of sport and play in academic learning practices;
14.     Provides quarterly updates of lessons learned and best practices to the RPM and stakeholders, ensuring that program lessons are being used to promote improved program delivery;
15.     Supports the budget planning processes to ensure that program funds are expended according to procedures and plans;
16.     Collaborates with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer to develop appropriate systems, tools and procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of education programs.

Advocacy and policy engagement:

•     Leads RTP’s advocacy and policy effort across the region by participating in national coordination forums as applicable, and supporting country teams in engaging in national coordination forums, national strategic planning for the education sector and curriculum development technical working groups;
•     Support country teams in their efforts to engage and collaborate with government and education stakeholders at national levels to ensure that programming is jointly planned and that the sustainability of the interventions is maximized;
•     Works with country teams in coordinating 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;
•     Leads and develops RTP’s analysis and best practices in education programming across the region and disseminates through documents and position papers within the Education sector as necessary in order to promote learning and sharing with wider stakeholders.

Capacity building support:

    Contributes to communicating the program vision to the program team and directs them toward achieving program goals and objectives;
    Ensures that country staff are properly supported with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to deliver education program interventions and devises interventions for staff who are found to be under performing;
    Conducts regular visits to the field to provide technical support to program teams.

Representation and collaboration

    Facilitates linkages, collaboration and networking with education stakeholders across the region including civil society organizations, government and other relevant institutions to enhance RTP’s visibility and its role in enhancing education quality;
    Represents RTP in various platforms and maintains positive relationships with governments and other relevant stakeholders regarding RTP activities;
    Identifies and develops new partnerships with local education-focused NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and communities;
    Supports country teams to conduct capacity assessments and capacity building plans for local partners with a focus on quality education programming;
    Provides support in ensuring strong coordination between local partners in the implementation of education programs;
Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Job Requirements

The incumbent is expected to provide technical input into planning the activities for the entire Africa region, in coordination with the regional team and in line with approved country plans. However, the incumbent is requi red to have some flexibility in the plan to respond to urgent needs.

Must have Master’s Degree in Education, International Development or related fields.

5 years’ experience implementing and providing technical guidance on basic education programs and liaising with government officials and donors. Proven experience in project planning, proposal development, report writing, resource mobilization, networking, partnership-building and working with NGOs.

Competencies and personal aributes:

• 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 work under pressure meeting deadlines in a fast paced fluid environment.
• Creative and flexible with problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated professionalism and diplomacy.
• Ability to confidently represent oneself and Right To Play to high level officials.
• Strategy planning skills.
• People management particularly influence management.

Technical Skills:
Strong MS Office and program management tools and procedures
Budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data Knowledge and understanding of best practices in basic education programs, including technical experience in teacher training and resource and curriculum development.
Understanding of the concept of sport for development.
Understanding of community development processes

Language requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge in French and/or Portuguese is desirable.

Desired qualifications:
Experience in quality improvement
Experience working in child protection
Sport and play experience
Experience in strengthening civil society organisations.
Coaching background
Child protection and gender mainstreaming and governance background
Knowledge of adult learning

Impact and contribution of the Job

Problem solving: The incumbent is expected to deal with variable problems using analysis, problem definition and alternative solutions development. Seeks the RPMs support when required.

Fincancil: Accuracy of budget is of essence and consequences of error are serious in terms of resources, ability to complete work at hand and RTP’s image. The incumbent is expected to make sure that the implementation of the program is within the approved budget.

Infomation management: The incumbent is expected to generate reports and share findings from program experiences with the RPM and higher reporting levels. The incumbent is also expected to share the experience in the region.

Relationships management: The incumbent is expected to enhance relationships with partners by staying in regular contact and requesting feedback on ongoing projects. He/she is also responsible for maintaining positive relationships with all staff.

Contats and key Relationships:
Internal: The Regional Program Manager, Regional team and country teams.
External: Partners, partners’ staff, government representatives, donors, other NGOs.

How to apply:
 
If you meet the requirements for this position and are interested in working with a diverse and dynamic team of professionals, please follow this link to download the application form
( https://www.dropbox.com/s/au8p26dqe9jmg06/Job%20Application%20Form%20Nov....  )
Fill all sections in the form and send it together with the cover letter to: UgandaHR@righttoplay.com and kindly include “Education Specialist, Africa Programs” and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter and do not attach CVs at this point.

Only long listed candidates will be invited for a written assessment to take place the week starting July 11, 2016. To learn more about who Right To Play  are and what we do, please visit our website at ( www.righttoplay.com ).

Application deadline: The deadline for applications is July 1, 2016.

Community Behavior Change Assistants Jobs at Mercy Corps, Care Group Team

Job tittle: Community Behavior Change Assistants (2) positions
Jobs at Care Group Team ( Open to Uganda Nationals only)
Country: Uganda
City:  Kotido and Kaabong
Organization: Mercy Corps

Brief Department Background
 
Mercy Corps implements high-quality, analytical development work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. Mercy Corps is in the fourth year of a 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded food security program working in the northern half of Karamoja, and are in search of two community behaviour change assistants to lead community level behaviour change activities in Kotido (1) and Kaabong (1) districts. The project, called Growth, Health and Nutrition (GHG) Program, aims to support the immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja and strengthening governance and accountability mechanisms. The Community Behaviour Change Assistants (CBCAs) for the Care Group Team will be responsible for the formation and supervision of care groups as well as coordination of complementary activities to support care groups, such as promotion and training of kitchen gardens.

Summary of the position:

The primary focus of CBCAs will be to promote behavior change for maternal and child health and nutrition at household level. This will be done through the care group approach. Care groups are an evidence-based peer-to-peer nutrition learning platform comprised of caregivers and led by village health teams. Care groups conduct ongoing sensitization to promote positive maternal child health and nutrition practices. Care Group CBCAs will be responsible for the formation and start up of care groups, followed by implementation of ongoing health sensitization activities through the care group platform. This includes, but is not limited to supervision of village health teams (promoters), quality control of health promotion activities, spot checks of leader mother activities, and ongoing sensitization with local leadership. The CBCA will also be expected to contribute to content development where necessary, adopt best practices when identified, and coordinate with other NGOs, particularly GHG partner World Vision, to ensure standardized implementation of nutrition promotion activities and to avoid duplication of services.

CBCAs will work closely with community leaders, including but not limited to, community elders, sub-county leadership, role model caregivers and village health teams. The ability to communicate effectively, respectfully and enthusiastically with community structures will be one of the position’s three success factors. The second will be the degree to which CBCAs drive results, producing scheduled outputs at deadline and to expected quality. The third success factor will be the degree to which CBCAs effectively gather activity monitoring and evaluation data and utilize data to inform activity implementation and program learning.

Key Functions of the Job:

• Sensitize community leadership on behaviour change approaches and conduct identification exercises
• Mobilize communities to form care groups, using a standardized approach • Organize and lead trainings for village health team/promoters
• Supervise ongoing implementation of care group maternal and child health and nutrition promotion activities, ensuring quality control
• Coordinate with other health teams to ensure complementary approaches, monitor implementation of project activities and document best practice and success stories
• Support CBCA colleagues to ensure team success, including but not limited to logistics coordination, temporary support during leave, etc.
• Take responsibility for data gathering, data validation, quality control and timely data submission including gender and age disaggregated data
• Support and mentor community partners (promoters, leader mothers) on data collection and use
• Troubleshoot monitoring and evaluation challenges for proactive problem solving with support of
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to inform program implementation, actively documenting best practices and lessons learned to share with team during routine monitoring, coordination meetings and other learning opportunities
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, village councils and local government in Kotido and Kaabong target areas
• Coordination of field activities with other NGO and local government partners to avoid duplication of services and support an enabling environment for health promotion
• When needed, support visits from district and sub-county government, regional and HQ based staff and external visitors, such as donors and media, in collaboration with CoP and DCoP
• Support GHG activities with key stakeholders, ensuring collaboration with counterparts in partner organization World Vision in relevant meetings, internal and external.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowlledge and experience: 
• A Diploma (Degree is an added advantage) in development studies, nutrition, gender, health sciences, social sciences, or other related development discipline, relevant advanced experience (7+ years) may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Proven experience in conducting community mobilization, training, and networking
• Experience in capacity building with communities in Karamoja
• Knowledge in behavioral change methodologies such as care groups, Community Led Total Sanitation, and other related innovative hygiene and sanitation approaches is a plus
• Knowledge of approaches to promote gender equality, with a training in gender a plus
• Experience and skills in working with other NGOs, government partners, and local community-based organizations.

Other Competencies and Attributes: 
• Able to speak Ng’karamojong dialect
• Computer literacy
• Dynamic public speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while showing flexibility in day-to-day operations
• Demonstrable English writing and speaking skills
• Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills

How to apply:
Submit your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates through the
Human Resource Manager  to mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
 
Application Deadline: Close of business on June 30, 2016