Program Specialist – Education Job Vacancy in Uganda

Program Specialist – Education Job Vacancy in Uganda

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. 2017- 002

Peace Corps is an international autonomous agency of the US Government with operations in over 65 countries. It operates in Uganda by the invitation of the Government of Uganda. Peace Corps Uganda has memoranda of understanding with government ministries that outline broad areas of agreement of cooperation regarding the work of Peace Corps Volunteers in Uganda. Volunteers are assigned to government and non-government agencies and organizations, community based organizations, universities, colleges and schools who partner to enable Volunteers to provide capacity building in Literacy Education, Health, Agriculture and Medical and Nursing Education; also aims to build cultural understanding between Americans and Ugandans.

See https://www.peacecorps.gov/uganda for more details about Peace Corps Uganda.

Announcement Date:        Monday February 27, 2017

Closing Date:                    Monday March 13, 4:45 pm

Position Classification:     Personal Services Contract, full time, 40 hours/week

Position reports to:           Program Manager, Education

Location:                          Peace Corps Uganda office, Kampala

For more details about this job, please refer to the website https://www.peacecorps.gov/uganda/contracts/

This is a local hire position and applicants must be legally able to work in Uganda.

Basic Function of Position:

This position supports the Peace Corps Uganda’s Primary Literacy Project, implemented by the Education Sector, and works as part of a team with all members of the Programming and Training and Administrative Units. The Literacy Project aims to assist Ugandan Pupils gain access to literacy through teachers trained in literacy teaching techniques, access to culturally relevant learning resources and safe schools

Responsibilities include: Coordination and serving as a liaison between Peace Corps Uganda staff and Volunteers and Literacy implementing partners, which includes collaboration with MOES and other stakeholders. Also provides technical leadership, and monitoring Volunteer projects for quality assurance and alignment to the project plan, data collection, reporting and evaluation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assist the Education Program Manager with Project Development and Management (approximately 30% of the time)

Assist in planning, developing, maintaining, managing and implementing Peace Corps literacy projects that reflect and serve the needs of Uganda as ascribed by the Ministry of Education, National DEAR Day (Drop Everything and Read), Uganda Spelling Bee in Local Language, and Teach to LEAD (Leadership in Education teacher workshop).

  • Assist in developing assignments for Volunteers through site identification visits and other relevant activities, and in maintaining contacts with potential sponsoring agencies to assure that prospective sites meet the minimum criteria for safety and security, workable job assignment, and viable housing situations for Volunteers.
  • Assist in preparing documentation for the Peace Corps Primary Literacy Project that conforms to the mission, goals and standards of Peace Corps. Those include:
  • An annual work plan for PCU approval with activities and budget in line with promoting reading work for PCV trainers.
  • Semi-annual and annual activity reports to Peace Corps Washington and partners.
  • Other interim or special reports and data as determined for projects reflecting the collaboration between Peace Corps and MOES.
  • Assists with Project Status Reports (PSRs)
  • Weekly news Bulletins shared with partners and Volunteers
  • Submit reports on large scale literacy initiatives.
  • Assist in planning, implementing and monitoring funded activities in conformance with relevant Peace Corps Washington policies and rules.

Coordination of Partnership (approximately 15% of the time)

Liaise between PC-Uganda and key literacy partners in Uganda on literacy goals and approaches.

  • Assist the Program Manager on advising and coordinating overall strategic directions between PC-Uganda, PCVs, and literacy partners.
  • Facilitate the collaboration and continuous dialogue among Peace Corps, MOES, key literacy partners in Uganda; the Program Specialist Education will stay informed and assess potential for creative and appropriate ways to partner with literacy partners and communicate those to relevant parties for agreement.
  • Assist Program Manger to launch, call and chair meetings of partnership stakeholders including MOES, Peace Corps, and other international and local NGO implementers.

Assist with Pre-Service and In-Service Training (approximately 20% of the time)

Participate as team member to prepare Trainees/Volunteers to be a valuable member of their Ugandan communities. S/he will:

  • Serve as a contributing designer and trainer for Trainees/Volunteers on teaching Literacy and making literacy instructional materials for pre-service and in-service trainings.
  • Provide on-going literacy technical support to Trainees/Volunteers.
  • Assist in evaluating pre-service and in-service training events.

Assist with Project Monitoring and Evaluation (approximately 10% of the time)

Implementing effective project monitoring and evaluation activities, specifically Early Grade Reading Assessment and Teacher Training assessments for reporting towards standard indicators in the Project Framework.

  • Coordinate preparation of annual monitoring documents.
  • Prepare site monitoring visit reports, and review those of other team members as appropriate, and literacy project evaluation reports.

Assist with Volunteer Support (approximately 20% of the time)

Assist with and travel throughout the country to provide advice and support to Volunteers who are working on literacy and document activities and results in regular site visit reports that are submitted to the Program Manager.

  • Serve as primary point of contact [“Champion”] and support for minimum 20 Volunteers.
  • Keep the Safety & Security Manager informed of any safety and security concerns at a Volunteer’s site.
  • Review Volunteer Reports and render constructive feedback in a timely manner

Other Duties and Activities (approximately 5% of the time)

Perform other duties as assigned

Addresses Volunteer safety and security by adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures.  Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the Country Director (CD).  Assists Program Managers/APCDs to ensure that prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.). Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites, and incorporates appropriate safety and security-related information into site history files.  Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security. Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).  Acts as duty officer, as needed.  Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

The Contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace  Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters  or  perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned.  Any such reassignment or transfer shall be subject to agreement of the Contractor.  The Statement of Work as defined will remain the same; however the duties may be subject to change as determined by the Contracting Officer.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Education or related degree.
  • Excellent command of spoken and written English language.
  • Experience as an Educator in Uganda with minimum three years teaching, or related, experience.
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision; good organization and time management skills;
  • Willingness to take the initiative; excellent teamwork skills, strong service attitude; personal integrity; strong cross-cultural skills; strong interpersonal skills, strong interest in Uganda’s development; and ability to travel extensively.
  • Ability to work regularly from Monday through Friday schedule with occasional evening and weekend hours when necessary.
  • Preferred:
    • National level certification as a teacher (Uganda, USA or other).
    • One year or more of teacher training experience.
    • One year experience working with relevant government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, or private businesses.

Position Elements

  • Supervision Received: Supervised by the Education Program Manager. For new, difficult, or unusual tasks, supervisors give directions on objectives and suggested procedures. The Program Specialist – Education is expected to take the initiative to meet established deadlines, and document and communicate procedures to the Program Manager.
  • Available Guidelines: 1) Peace Corps Manual, 2) Foreign Affairs Manual 3) instructions provided by the Program Managers and the Programming and Training Officer. 4) Ugandan Curriculum for PTC and Primary schools.
  • Exercise of Judgment: Broad exercise of judgment within the confines of job responsibilities. The Program Specialist – Education is expected to research, negotiate, and suggest solutions within the confines of the job responsibilities.
  • Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Works closely with Program Managers, Programming and Training Director, Training Manager. Country Director and Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers. Communicates at all levels as required by the job responsibilities.
  • Supervision Exercised: None
  • Length of contract: One year, renewable upon good performance and funding availability.

How to apply

Only Electronic Submissions will be accepted.

Please submit a Word formatted letter of interest, resume, names and contact information (tel and email) for three references to applications@ug.peacecorps.gov

Clearly indicate your name and the position applied for on the subject line of the cover email as well as on all the attachments: For example “Katungu Bonita_PS Education” for the Program Specialist – Education position. Do not write any other words in the subject line of your mail. Submitted documents become the property of the Peace Corps and will not be returned.

You will be contacted ONLY if you are deemed qualified. If called for an interview, you will be expected to bring a reference letter from your area Local Council (LC1) as well as your academic credentials.

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