Sightsavers is an international organisation that changes lives for the long term. We work in more than 30 countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people with visual impairments to live independently.
Location: Kaduna, Nigeria
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Reports to: Inclusive EducationProgramme Officer
Department: Operation, Planning and Finance
Specific Hours: Standard Office hours
Job Purpose
The purpose of this role is to support the implementation of an Inclusive Education Programme for children with disabilities in Northwest, Nigeria. TheProgramme Assistant (PA) will to be a memberof the Support Mainstreaming Inclusion to all Learn Equally (SMILE) Programme team andwill report to the Programme Officer.
Under the supervision of the Inclusive Education Programme Officer, the post holder will directly implement the programme with the support of other programme team and also document lessons learnt, support assessments,monitor and evaluate the DID FCDO funded SMILE project and also contribute towards the capacity building of implementing partners.
The PA will be responsible for actively seeking and providing feedback on SMILE activities and submission of all required SMILE programme log frame indicators and deliverables to the programme officer and Sightsavers as required by donors.
Principal Accountabilities
Quality of Programme (60% of Time):
Work with the programme team to facilitate the creation and implementation of a detailed annual work-plan which identifies and sequences activities needed to successfully implement the project in the most cost-effective manner and ensure project objectives are met in line with state, national policies and that of the donor.
In collaboration with key stakeholders,support the development and roll out of implementation plans.
Review the project schedule with programme team and management and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities; revise and regularly review the schedule as required.
Support the Sightsavers programme Officer and Steering committee to develop a detailed programme monitoring plan (as detailed in the SMILE Workplan)and jointly use it to guide programme management.
Support the SMILE team to monitor and implement appropriate actions to improve efficiency and quality of project implementation.
Support the submission of timely programme reports as per agreed format and timelines.
Support with the collection of content and Case studies related to the project.
Support with the preparation of payment schedules and other related documentation associated with the project.
Management Quality (40%):
Work with the programme officer to oversee the formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of the SMILE -FCDO funded project to ensure consistency with the project priorities, deliverables and outcomes.
Ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of international standards as set by the donor.
Internally and when requested support external evaluations on the outcomes of the project as established during the planning phase and as required and to implement monitoring and evaluation tools according Sightsavers and donor standards.
Disseminate findings from evaluations to support organizational learning and contribute to policy processing or development.
Work with key stakeholders and undertake regular visits to LGAs and communities to oversee and ensure quality and efficiency of monitoring activities.
Advocacy and Networking (10%):
Represent the programme officer/Sightsavers towards local partners and at other appropriate forums.
Build and maintain meaningful working relationships with both Government and Organizations of PWDs at all levels in order to strengthen opportunities for advocacy and higher visibility.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Programme Officer and Programme team:
Support in documenting lessons learnt and best practices of the pilot project.
With support from MEL team design a monitoring plan and simple data collection tools to ensure monitoring and data collection of key project indicators.
Support assessment of Education sector in the state of implementation.
Review, assess and update the education situation in pilot schools.
Technical knowledge of inclusive education.
Provide regular updates to Programme Officer on priorities and constraints - verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency.
Brief updates and reports on activities/strategies to donors and other stakeholders.
Perform any other project related duties as specified by the Programme Officer.
Core Behaviour and Skills
Experience or a First Degree in Education, Social Science, Social Work, Psychology, or related fields.
Experience in inclusive education programs is desirable but not essential.
Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.
Good knowledge and understanding of DO NO HARM principles and established international child protection standards (especially UNCRC).
Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
Very strong commitment to continuous learning.
Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
Ability to read and write in both English and Hausa languages appropriately.
Creates strong sense of purpose and commitment within own part of operations and with stakeholders.
Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism/integrity.
Actively seeks for support in addressing difficulties in execution of duties.
Strategic thinking and effective contribution to own work and Organizational development.
Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations.
Good knowledge of excel micro-soft word and power point.
Please include all your relevant work experience within the application form
As an equal opportunity Employer we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader, and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.