Graduate Basic Education Program Manager at USAID Nigeria

USAID/Nigeria in Abuja is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position of Basic Education Program Manager in the Education Office.

Position Title: Basic Education Program Manager

Location: Abuja

Basic Function of Position
The current unsigned portfolio for the candidate focuses on managing selected education activities that form the implementation core of the USAID education strategy, end which are implemented through Cooperative Agreements and Contracts with U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The goats of the USAID/Nigeria Education Program are to improve reading for children in the early grades of schooling, increase access to education services, and strengthen tire education system (particularly the capacity to manage education services). Once the candidate completes required USAID training, s/he will be given management responsibilities in some of these activities, in addition, the incumbent will serve as the Monitoring and Evaluation lead for the Education Team.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
A.) Program/ Project Leadership and Management
Perform the full range of program management functions including, inter alia, ensuring grantees/contractors meet the full objectives of their scopes of work, advising on evaluations, ensuring program compliance with USAID policies and that the content and objectives of education projects ensure outcomes consistent with the Mission strategy. S/he serves as the Contract Officer’s Representative (COR)/Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for future Education Activities.

As part of her/his COR responsibilities, s/he conducts site visits as an official. USAID/Nigeria representative to monitor implementation and progress, to identify delays or difficulties requiring resolution, and proposes solutions for the resolution of such problems, which might include compliance with requirements for the approval of site selection or require solutions for specific social, political or cultural concerns that impact program implementation. S/he also ensures that all official approvals are obtained from Government of Nigeria (GON) partners as required, as well as provides financial oversight of assigned implementation activities, including: analysis of annual funding requirements, preparation and analysis of budgets, authorizing and monitoring disbursements, coordinates and provides technical leadership during in-briefs and out-briefs for Short Term Technical Assistance (STTAs) on projects, close-outs and property/inventory disposition etc. The incumbent also serves as an Activity Manager for several education projects and will serve as the coordinator for public-private partnerships for the education sector, working with the USAID public-private partnership officer.

B.) Program Policy and Analysis & Reporting
The incumbent provides direction in the planning, development, design, management and evaluation of projects, and will be responsible for participating in management of the education component of the Mission’s Social Sector Services program. S/he will be involved in the review of proposals submitted to the Mission; selection of grantees; assist in the start-up of the new Reading and Access Activities with the grantee certification and provide liaison roles for USAID with the Universal Basic Education Commission, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, the State Ministries of Education and States Primary Education Boards, as well as work with other Donors like the World Bank, DFID, UNICEF, JICA and UNESCO on on-going management, monitoring and evaluation of USAID projects.

The incumbent ensures that the indicators for measuring the impact of Education activities are tracked, are accurate and are used to revise strategy as necessary, Coordinates with the Education Team Leader and other Program Managers to ensure thoroughness and consistency of data submitted on activities for the annual report, Implementation Reviews. etc.

Tracks policy developments, legislative changes, technical developments in the field, etc, that affect USAID’s activities and/or objectives regarding primary education, and advises the Education Team Leader, other Program Managers and other learn members of these and of the appropriate USAID position regarding them.

Briefs local and visiting senior USAID officials and US Embassy staff as required, on the implementation of assigned activities in relation to host-country programs and priorities.

C.) Activity Development and Design
Initiates and describes project ideas and initiatives in accordance with the education sector strategy, the current environment in Nigeria, the institutional capabilities and purposes of potential USAID recipients, resource availability and funding source. Conducts research, as necessary, on social and economic factors pertaining to education in Nigeria for input to these documents. Contributes to the development of conceptual frameworks and formulates plans for required implementation documentation, specifically the Education Program Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and the CDCS.

Contribute technical expertise and creative ideas to other Teams in the Mission developing new interventions to support the social and economic development of Nigeria. Explore ways and strategies for integration, identifying synergies and resource leveraging with other Mission Teams specifically with regard to education for maximum impact and results.

D.) General USAID Administration
Coordinates various actions related to assigned activities with a host of Nigerian senior government (GON) officials, donor community partners and civil society groups. S/he explains to them USAID procedures, responsibilities, objectives and restrictions. These may include various federal and state officials, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Deputy Directors in the Ministry of Education and related education parastatals, colleagues in other donor organizations, NGO and civil society groups, etc. Coordinate the participation of these officials in special meetings and events, especially with high-level visitors or Embassy representatives. Acts as liaison with senior leaders in Nigerian NGOs and the civil society community to cultivate and maintain support for the USAID education sector program. Builds strong partnership with Federal Ministry of Education department towards successful implementation of the National Response on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the Education Sector.

Represents the Education Team in conferences, workshops, donor coordination subgroup/committees meetings, FSN committee meetings, Donor Project Design and briefing meetings and other relevant meetings. Develops necessary documentation for presentations by Education Team Leader and other Program Managers, as well as other USAID/Nigeria senior staff as assigned.

E.) General Administration Work
S/he is responsible for management of the technical and administrative aspects of USAID/Nigeria’s Education Program. Drafts reports, correspondence, cables, GLAAS/scopes of work, Implementation Letters. A & A plans and accruals in collaboration with Office of Program/Project Development and Office of Financial Management, and any other necessary documents for the implementation of assigned activities. Negotiates the clearance and approval of documents necessary for proper implementation of activities. S/he is also responsible for contributing ideas/strategies and participating at the IIP Team Building Activity, representation at IIP meetings and monthly General Development Meetings.

Minimum Requirements:
Note: All applicants MUST address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each criterion or the application will not be considered.

• Education: A Master Degree in Education or Social Science is required.
• Prior Work Experience: One to three years of progressively responsible experience in program assistance or related work required, including experience in the collection, analysis and presentation of information. 3 years in fields or areas related to education in Nigeria
• Language Proficiency: Fluent (Level IV) English oral and writing ability is required. Nigerian Language 1; Level 4; Nigerian Language 2: Level 3.
• Knowledge: 1) Knowledge of the major issues affecting Education in all geographic regions in Nigeria - and Covering the technical, social and cultural aspects. 2) Knowledge of specific issues facing education in Nigeria, such as UBE, Islamic education, girls’ education, parent-teacher association, educational financing. etc. 3) Familiarity with issues relating to communication and education (parent participation, financing. transparency, etc.).
• Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated skills in decision making and overseeing the implementation of educational activites in Nigeria. Excellent management, interpersonal and teamwork skills, especially in multi-cultural settings.

Selections Process:
It is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.

Additional Selection Criteria:

• Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
• Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
• Current employees who are qualified will be given preference.
• Only successful applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be notified,
• The Human Resources Office will NOT accept applications or resume submitted in U.S. Government official envelopes.
• The minimum requirements must be adequately addressed in the cover letter of your application package. Failure to do so will disqualify your application.

Remuneration
Salary: FSN N5,959,341.00 p.a (Starting basic salary on FSN- 11 Position Grade)
In addition to the basic salary, all allowances wilt be paid in accordance with the Mission Local Compensation Plan.

Application Closing Date
8th January, 2014

How To Apply:
Interested applicants for this position MUST submit the following or the application will not be considered:

• A type-written application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae, listing all job responsibilities; plus
• Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
• Please indicate position title and vacancy announcement number on the top right corner of the envelope and also on the subject line of the application letter.

Submit Application To:
USAID Nigeria
ATTN: Human Resource Office
c/o U.S. Embassy
1075 Diplomatic Drive
Abuja, FCT.
Nigeria

Point of Contact;
Tel: 09-461-9300 ext. 9319