Collaborating Learning Adapting (CLA) Officer (Bauchi) at Creative Associates International

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland (within the DC metro area), this global development organization has a field presence in more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Collaborating Learning Adapting (CLA) Officer

Job ID: 2022-2612
Location: Bauchi
Category: Program Management

Program Description

• Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and selected Nigeria states (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils.
• The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform.
• The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains.
• LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior reading programs in Nigeria to introduce a flexible, cost-efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

Position Summary

• Provide state-based support for CLA activities, adaptive management, and cyclical project learning.

Reporting & Supervision:

• CLA Officer report to MERLA Officer with dotted line reporting to the CLA Advisor.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work with Senior MERLA Advisor and other Abuja-based staff, and MERLA Officer, to plan, schedule, and implement all CLA activities with state and local counterparts.
• Work closely with CLA Advisor and state-based MERLA Officer to plan, schedule, and implement all CLA activities with state and local counterparts.
• Support extraction of lessons and insights at the state-level into actionable recommendations and plans for program improvements.
• Support CLA plans and activities for ensuring learning is fed back to LEARN advisors and government counterpart for adaptation of approaches and interventions
• Engage stakeholders on findings from situational analyses and contextual data / information for group analysis, interpretation, dialogue and a holistic perspective.
• Support capacity building for local actors at the state level to promote evidence-based, knowledge-driven adaptive practices.
• Attend MERLA team and CLA team meetings to plan, coordinate and report on MERLA and CLA activities.
• Support state level technical report writing and documentation activities.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications
Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Undergraduate Degree in Education, Statistics or related field preferred, required.
• At least three years’ experience relevant to this position required, with at least two years with supporting adaptive management and cyclical project learning with program teams
• International development experience, particularly in adaptive management or project learning
• Strong planning, organization, critical and strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills with a dynamic, engaging facilitation style.   
• Prior experience with supporting civil society-based monitoring of literacy outcomes is required. 
• Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English required.
• Proficiency in Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba preferred.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience in similar role.
• Proven experience directly and indirectly supervising and managing staff and teams.
• Experience with a USAID-funded or other international organization implementing a program operating in insecure areas is desired.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent record keeping, and documentation skills are required.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.