State Based Specialist, Education Quality at Cambridge Education

Cambridge Education (CE) is an education services company that provides expert education consultancy in partnership with governments, donors and development agencies around the world. CE has a substantial and expanding portfolio of education projects in Nigeria, one of which is the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of

Post Title: State Based Specialist, Education Quality

Location: Jigawa State

Purpose:
The State‐based Education Quality Specialist will be involved in initiatives including: School Development Planning; Teacher Professional Development; School Management; School Design and Construction; Educational Materials; School Health and Hygiene and HIV/Aids Education.

Job Profile
The Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) is a six-year UK government funded programme designed to provide strategic technical assistance to support education reform at Federal level in up to 6 Lead States. A principal objective of the programme is to strengthen the ability of target States to plan and implement strategies for transforming the delivery of education services, to improve education management and funding mechanisms and thus to have a sustainable impact on teaching and learning in schools.

Accountabilities

• On a quarterly basis, review and agree with the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialist in Education Quality objectives and targets for activities related to Education Quality in the State.
• Draw up quarterly work plans to be agreed with the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialist in Education Quality
• Under the direction of the STL and the Lead Specialist, work closely with the appropriate SUBEB and State Ministry of Education to support their capacity to manage a SIP, including supporting and operationalising the UBEC TPD intervention fund.
• Provide technical support to State School Improvement Teams, and to other service providers in discussion with the STL and the appropriate State officers.
• Provide direct specialist inputs as per agreed work plans, interacting with government and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Liaise with other specialists within the State ESSPIN office giving guidance on school improvement and classroom issues.
• Provide briefing and guidance on State‐specific conditions and issues to visiting short‐term consultants.
• Participate in regular (monthly) specialist team meetings for the Education Quality component.
• Submit monthly reports to the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialist in Education Quality. These reports will focus on progress, issues and next steps in accordance with the guidelines set out in the ESSPIN consultant management handbook.
• Assist the State Team Leader and Lead Specialist in Education Quality in compiling quarterly and annual reports for Clients, including supporting the State to develop the State School reporting system.
• Assist the State Team Leader and Lead Specialist in the impact monitoring of ESSPIN.
• Take responsibility for monitoring the implementation of incentive‐based operational funding arrangements, such as school grants and capacity building funds.

Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Extent of authority
The State‐based Education Quality Advisor will report to the State Team Leader, but will take professional direction and guidance from the Lead Specialist in Education Quality.

Special relationships and contacts
Establish and maintain good working relationships with the State based technical and administrative teams as well as SUBEB

Essential competencies/skills

• Practical knowledge of educational development issues in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of current international literature on School Quality and the transformation of education systems.
• Knowledge of Nigerian Government structures and systems.
• Knowledge of the capacity constraints that may hamper effective and efficient action.
• Ability to manage change through other people.
• Possession of inter‐personal skills and the ability to deploy them as and when necessary.
• Ability to provide constructive guidance and feedback to other professionals.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a member of a team.

Required academic/professional qualifications, training and experience

• A minimum of a degree‐level qualification in a relevant area and 5 years’ experience of working in education or social sector reform in Nigeria.
• Extensive experience of School Development, School Management and Governance or Teacher Professional Development.
• Experience of providing professional inputs in development assistance programmes.
• Experience of working with Nigerian government and civil society groups.
  
• Application Closing Date

5pm Tuesday 12 November 2013

Method of Application
All applications should be made using a CV of no more than 3 pages of A4 (in a standard CV format) as well as the ESSPIN Application Form. Applications should be sent by email to: [email protected]

If you do not receive an auto response to your application, please check to ensure you have used the right email address and try again.