Vacancy Announcement-Education Specialist Position

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individual for the position of Education Specialist for its Education Office.

VACANCY #: HR-09/08

OPEN TO: ALL INTERESTED CANDIDATES

Current employees serving a probationary period with the Mission are not eligible to apply.

POSITION: Education Specialist

OPENING DATE: August 26, 2008

CLOSING DATE: September 8, 2008

WORK HOURS: Full-time: 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ranging from US$ 17,469.00 to 36,901.00 p.a. depending on full performance
standard.

NOTE: ALL ORDINARY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENT PERMITS ALLOWING WORK IN COUNTRY BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
The Education Program Management Specialist serves as a recognized technical expert for the Mission and within the Liberian education sector; advice and recommendations are regarded by the Ministry of Education as authoritative. The incumbent will be responsible for articulating USAID/Liberia’s technical strategy to USAID/W and the Government of Liberia (GOL) in order to get support for, and to accomplish, strategic goals and objectives. The incumbent must also have a clear understanding of the overall education concepts and policies unique to Liberian culture. Furthermore, he/she must be able to recognize when situations could become problematic, respond to these issues and also acknowledge when cultural issues influence programmatic outcomes. The Education Program Management Specialist directly manages the Accelerated Learning PLUS Project and will be responsible for formulation and implementation of other education projects in support of the Essential Services Strategic Objective. In addition, this position serves as the Mission’s Youth Advisor and will have primary responsibility for research, design and implementation of youth-related initiatives and programs within all of the Mission’s technical programs.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Oversight of Education Portfolio within the Essential Services Strategic Objective 50%

1) Provides expert technical assistance and management oversight to the Institutional Contractor (IC) implementing ALP PLUS on methods to improve the quality of and access to primary-level education in Liberia. Approves the annual work plans of the IC and makes recommendations for needed revisions when necessary, ensuring that the development of educational monitoring systems measures progress towards achievement of results.

2) Conducts periodic assessments to monitor program progress, implementation of activities, and performance of the IC. Conducts site visits to determine the quality of the ALP instruction and approaches the IC uses to improve learning. Recommends changes to approaches and methods to better accomplish the goals of the ALP program.

3) Provides expert technical advice and recommendations to the IC, the MOE, and USAID/Liberia Education Officer for revisions or adjustments to interventions. Identifies new methods that are more effective in reaching the intended results and plans and designs new projects that assist in achieving education intermediate results. Initiates strategic planning sessions to provide focus and direction whenever project inputs appear to be ineffective in reaching desired results.

4) Conducts research and collaborate with the MOE and the Liberian Institute for Statistics and Geo Information Service (LISGIS) and other partners to develop the systems for effective program monitoring and evaluation. Data produced with serve as inputs for Mission technical documents.

5) As a recognized technical expert in the education sector, develops required reports for internal USAID purposes (technical papers, operational plans, briefings and talking points). Prepares education sections of these reports; reviews in final form for integrity of technical material.

6) Takes the lead role in chairing technical evaluation committees to review all unsolicited applications that are sent to the education office. Prepares reports and drafts memoranda related to the unsolicited applications for the signatures of the Mission Director and the Regional Contracting Officer.

B. Provides expert advice on issues related to educational policy 20%

1) Organizes seminars and presents briefings to policy makers of the MOE (i.e., Ministry of Education Departmental and Divisional Chiefs, County Education Officers), principals and teachers at the district level, and other higher educators to sensitize them about problematic educational issues and their impact on existing policies and programs affecting Liberian youth. Ensures these individuals are completely informed of the issues, providing them with the information they need to effectively revise, strengthen and implement policies.

2) Represents USAID at regional educational conferences, international, national and/or local meetings and functions on issues related to improving the quality of primary education in Liberia. Presents authoritative papers at such.

3) Serves as USAID/Liberia’s point person in meetings with technical-level peers at donor/lender organizations in the education sector, including the European Commission, UNICEF and UNECSO. Ensures that the donor/lender organizations’ efforts are not duplicative and provides expert guidance to the MOE in developing overall sector-wide approaches in educational reform.

4) Prepares briefs on key events for the U.S. Ambassador, Mission Director and U.S. Direct Hire Education Officer, arranges follow-up meetings with the Ministry of Education so that USAID’s education programs are congruent with the strategic direction of the GOL.

C. Serve as the Mission’s Youth Advisor and coordinate all youth-related programming 20%

1) Provides expert technical advice and recommendations to USAID/Liberia and local partners on appropriate interventions and approaches to youth development issues (e.g. National youth policies, skills training, employment, HIV/AIDS, economic opportunities). Seeks to identify and implement effective methods to obtain specific results, and designs new projects that assist in achieving improved status of youth.

2) Monitors implementation of the Mission’s youth programs, including strategic planning, program design, project implementation, multi-sectoral approaches and development of public/private partnerships. Develops reports on youth programming for internal USAID purposes (technical papers, operational plans, briefings and talking points). Prepares sections of these reports; reviews in final form for integrity of technical material.

3) Manages all funding and budgets related to youth programming.
D. Completes all project administrative procedures 10%

1) Prepares all necessary internal USAID project implementation documentation, including action memos, program descriptions and Mission Assistance and Acquisition Request Documents (MAARDS). Submits for approval and processing to appropriate level.

2) Manages financial matters related to project activities such as providing administrative approval of vouchers; planning and preparing annual incremental funding amendments; accruals and other financial administration activities as needed to ensure that the fiscal needs of recipient GOL, U.S. and local contractors/grantees are met in a timely manner.

3) Prepares annual evaluation of contractor’s performance for USAID/Washington’s data base.

4) Prepares official correspondence related to project activities for the MOE, youth organizations/partners and representatives from donor/lender organizations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Masters of Arts in Teaching, Masters of Education, Human Resources, Philosophy, or Public Administration is required.

Prior Work Experience: At least 10 years experience working in the field of education with specialization in primary education, teacher training or other related area is required and at least 5 years experience working in developing countries.

Post- Entry Training: Limited post-entry training to update technical skills will be provided on a periodic basis. Extensive on-the-job training will focus on USAID specific policies and procedures and be provided through reading relevant documents and short rotations to other offices (e.g. Controller’s Office, Program Office).

Language Proficiency: Strong written and oral proficiency in English is required (Level IV – Fluent).

Knowledge:
The following knowledge bases are required:
· Expert knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles and practices employed in modern educational systems.
· Thorough knowledge of teacher training, curriculum development, test and measurement procedures, and educational administration.
· Thorough understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural characteristics of Liberia as well as the priorities and the resources available in the education sector; knowledge of curricula trends, education reform processes and human resource development in meeting national goals.
The following knowledge bases are desired:
· A broad understanding of youth development programs and initiatives as it relates to the education, health, civil society, agriculture and economic growth sectors, coupled with the ability to translate this knowledge into the Liberian context for effective program creation.

Skills and Abilities - The following skills and abilities are required:
Ability to identify, assess and resolve impediments to project implementation. Strong technical and interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with staff within the Ministry of Education; principals and teachers at the district level as well as students and diverse members of civil society High proficiency in word processing is required. The ability to use related computer packages and skills (i.e., Internet, PowerPoint, Excel, Lotus, etc.) is desirable. Ability to prepare and write reports and to make written and oral presentations is required. Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, and manage a project.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA
Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and visa status in determining successful candidacy.
SELECTION PROCESS
After initial screening of applications, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
How to Apply
Interested candidates for this position should submit the following:

A clearly typed application letter which briefly summarizes why you believe you are qualified for this position.
Resume
The names and contact details of three references that can attest for your professional qualifications and/or work experience.
Documentation (e.g. copied of certificates, awards, degrees) that address the minimum requirements of the position.

Submit application to:
Education Specialist Position
USAID/Liberia
C/O American Embassy
Gate 1, Mamba Point
Attention: S. Browne; USAID/EXO/HR
Or by e-mail to:
sbrowne@usaid.gov

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