School Report Card Specialist, Accra

About FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Technical Advisor II in Accra, Ghana.

The School Report Card Specialist position will work in collaboration with the M&E Learning Advisor and MOE/GES/GL national and regional teams to develop and implement the school report card strategy (SRC). This position will also support the Gender and Vulnerable Populations Officer in developing strategies to address policies and practices aimed at improving literacy and numeracy in in schools serving girls vulnerable populations.

Experience: 8+ years of relevant technical and management experience with education projects, capacity-building programs and special / vulnerable populations.

Specific Knowledge Requirements: Experience in the areas of assessment, education monitoring and evaluation and education data analysis and interpretation.

Skills:

• In-depth functional knowledge of assessment and evaluation methods, including the design of impact evaluations; learning assessments; and data analysis.
• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with colleagues and peers within the organization and possibly externally.
• Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.
• Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.
• Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the program/project

Technology to be Used: Personal Computer, Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), e-mail, telephone, printer, calculator, copier, cell phones, PDAs and other hand held devices.

Typical Physical Demands: Typical office environment. Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; ability to lift 5-50 lbs.

Project Description

The USAID-funded Ghana Learning project is part of an integrated project designed to support literacy improvement activities implemented by the MOE and GES. The projects seeks to strengthen and support Ghana education sector human and institutional capacity in the areas of (1) pedagogical excellence in early grade reading; (2) education systems support linked to improving, expanding, and sustaining reading outcomes; and (3) parent, school and local government engagement to promote reading.

Job Summary / Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Working with the Directorate of Basic Education, Gender education Unit and EMIS Unit to review the SRC design to ensure it is used effectively as a tool to mobilize teachers, students and community members to work as a team to collect and analyze data, including the reading achievement levels and gender data;
• Design and implement the SRC review process, including the review of the School Management Committee and Head Teacher Manuals to identify what aspects needs to be strengthened in the School Performance Improvement Plan (SPIP)-SRC- School Appraisal Meeting (SPAM) process to ensure effective delivery;
• Work with the Capacity-Building team to ensure integration of SRC findings in the leadership training offered to Circuit Supervisors at the district level;
• Work with the Capacity-Building team to assess the motivation of District Education Office EMIS staff to integrate SRC work into their plans and include in the capacity-strengthening program a component which identifies how SRC information may be used to assist with measuring educational outcomes.
• Provide capacity-building support to the GES staff to use SRC computer software in the SRC data collection and analysis process;
• Support the School/Community Engagement Specialist and the Senior M&E Learning Advisor to publicize school report card results as a measure of accountability for the performance of the education system and school community;
• Support school leadership and the DEO in understanding, interpreting and monitoring school results through the SRC process;
• In collaboration with the Regional School Community Coordinators, work with Circuit Supervisors on how Ghana Reads informational briefs inform SPAM dialogues on community-level reading issues, and how the community can make certain the Head Teacher allows students to access reading materials.
• Use the SRC-SPAM process to provide a platform for the integration of gender and disability issues as part of the discussion on reading and numeracy.
• Produce lessons learned documents with schools on their SRC strategies and how they helped to improve reading and numeracy at the Ghana Reads conference in years 3-5;

All other SRC related activities identified in the course of GL implementation to ensure that the project produces its results

Qualifications: Education: PHD preferred, Masters Degree in one of the following or related fields: Education Planning, Education Policy, Education Research, Education Theory and International Education, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360's Career Center at http://www.fhi360.org/careers or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org. Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source (UNjobs.org) in your application.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.