Research and Advocacy Consultant at Skills Outside School Foundation

Skills Outside School Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation registered as in IT (70340) in June 2014 at the Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigeria and a Company Limited by Guarantee (09365183) at the Companies House, UK. 

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research and Advocacy Consultant

Location: Abuja

Scope of Work

Step 1

• Gathering Data, Research Educational Policy and Trends & Identify relevant stakeholders
• Diagnose the problems and gaps where intervention is required
• Research innovative tools, resources and policies deployed in other developing countries
• Source for the following national policy documents on education:
  • 1st Edition: National Policy on Education (1977)
  • 2nd Edition: National Policy on Education (1981)
  • 3rd Edition: National Policy on Education (1998)
  • 4th Edition: National Policy on Education (2004)
  • Implementation Guidelines for the 4th Edition
  • 5th Edition: National Policy on Education (2007)
  • Implementation Guidelines for the 5th Edition
  • 6th Edition: National Policy on Education (2013)
  • Implementation Guidelines for the 6th Edition
  • National Policy on Science and Education
  • 4 year strategic plan for development of the education sector 2011-2015

Step 2
For each document, create a summary report (in more than 2 pages per report) with the following headings:

• Objectives of the policy
• Success/Expected Outcomes of the policy
• Metrics for the measurement of success of the policy

Initiatives, Plans and Ideas proposed in the policy with respect to:

• Curriculum
• Teacher training and development
• Standards and Quality Assurance
• Technical and Vocational Education & Training
• Institutional Management of Education
• Science and Technology Education
• Career Guidance & Counselling

Step 3
Develop a chart on the national education system similar to the chart below. In addition, ensure you provide the following info with respect to below:

• Age of target youth e.g. 12-18
• Duration of education level e.g. 6 years
• Requirements for Entry e.g. Primary School Leaving Certificate + Common Entrance Examination + Minimum Age of 12
• Name of Certificate upon completion
• Use of certification e.g. SSCE allows you to enter a polytechnic, college of education or university
• Ability to be employed using the certification. If yes, where?
• Limitations associated with the certification
• Relevant National Stakeholders at each level of the education system with respect t
• Curriculum Development and Learning Materials Specification: e.g. National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) – for primary and secondary education
• Teaching Training, Registration and Management: e.g. Nigerian Teachers Commission for primary and secondary education
• School Administration: e.g. Universal Basic Education Commission for primary education
• Relevant State Stakeholders at each level of the education system with respect
• Curriculum Development and Learning Materials Specification: N/A
• School Administration: State Universal Basic Education Commission
• Teaching Training, Registration and Management
• Quality Assurance

Step 4
Source for the state education policy documents on education for the 36 states in Nigeria in the following order:

Phase I:

• FCT and Nasarawa – North Central
• Kaduna and Niger – North Central

Phase II:

• Osun and Lagos – South West
• Kano and Jigawa – North West
• Borno and Yobe – North East

Phase III:

• Ekiti and Oyo – South West
• Kogi and Kwara – North Central
• Rivers and Edo – South South
• Enugu and Imo – South East
• Bauchi and  Gombe – North East
• Kebbi and Sokoto – North West
• Zamfara and Katsina – North West

Phase IV:

• Akwa Ibom and Cross River – South South
• Delta and Bayelsa – South South
• Adamawa and Taraba – North East
• Jos and Benue – North Central
• Ogun and Ondo - South West
• Abia and Ebonyi – South East
• Anambra – South East.

Step 5
For each document, create a summary report (in more than 2 pages per report) with the following headings:

• Objectives of the policy
• Success/Expected Outcomes of the policy
• Metrics for the measurement of success of the policy

Initiatives, Plans and Ideas proposed in the policy with respect to:

• Curriculum
• Teacher training and development
• Standards and Quality Assurance
• Technical and Vocational Education & Training
• Institutional Management of Education
• Science and Technology Education
• Career Guidance & Counselling

Step 6
Summarise key players that are working in the education space and their work – e.g. Education Innovations posts information on such players on its website including the work that they do. Please include the following:

• The name of organisation
• The year of start up
• Core services
• Objectives
• Other implementing partners
• Funders and funding strategy
• Impact so far
• Monitoring and evaluation metric
• Your proposal on how SOSF can partner with them if at all

Step 7
Please gather data in the excel spread sheet titled ‘Education Database Requirements’ for each of the states below through desktop study and qualitative data (interviews). See also attached expansion plan (ppt).

Phase I:

• FCT and Nasarawa - North Central
• Kaduna and Niger - North Central

Phase II:

• Osun and Lagos - South West
• Kano and Jigawa - North West
• Borno and Yobe - North East

Roles and Responsibilities

• The core role of the Research and Advocacy Consultant is to research and analyze documents, data and information on education, entrepreneurship and employability. The consultant will also gather data, conduct analysis, summarise and explain research findings and their implications for SOSFs expansion, program design and advocacy efforts.
• The consultant will also produce policy and advocacy papers as required for SOSF and opinion pieces. The consultant will work with the foundations graphic design and media and comms Officer to provide data for our social media platforms and/or produce marketing material e.g. videos and podcasts eg. videos and podcasts
• Reporting Relationship:  Senior Program Manager.

Skills and Experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication, advocacy, strong editing skills
• Superior Writing and Research Skills
• Graphic/Creative Design Skills
• Excellent Analytical and critical thinking Skills
• Strong IT Skills
• Advanced Microsoft Powerpoint and Excel Skills
• Ability to use drop box, share point and goggle drive
• General understanding of maintenance and handling of high volumes of data
• Creative self-starter who can work independently or on a team
• Experience with writing creative and well-researched pieces on a variety of issues
• Organized, driven and able to gather data from a number of challenges independently
• Strong attention to detail

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in any discipline preferably in the Social Sciences and quantitative Degrees (e.g. Statistics)
• Additional qualifications that are design oriented will be a plus
• Experience with Microsoft Excel.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Application with a detailed Resume as one document (in a PDF or Word Format) indicating position being applied for as the subject of the application to: recruitment@skillsoutsideschool.com