Education Specialist

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Education Specialist for its Mission in Liberia. VACANCY #: VA-669-13-000007 OPEN TO: ALL INTERESTED QUALIFIED LIBERIAN CITIZENS Current USAID/Liberia employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. POSITION: Education Specialist OPENIING DATE: Wednesday, May 9, 2013 CLOSING DATE: Wednesday, May 23, 2013 SALARY: Ranging from US$19,443 - US$33,660 p.a. depending on experience, qualifications and salary history WORK HOURS:Full-time: 40 hours/week KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Education Specialist serves as a key member of the USAID/Liberia Education Team, supporting the Team's efforts to achieve fundamental improvements in the education sector that lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable development. A. Activity Manager and/or Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) for the Liberia Teacher Training Program (50%) Serve as Activity Manager, and after adequate experience is gained and certification is achieved and authority is delegated, as AOR for the Liberia Teacher Training Program (LTTP) II cooperative agreement. LTTP II focuses on: strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Education at the central and decentralized levels to plan and deliver quality education services; increasing teacher effectiveness; improving classroom learning environments; fostering effective early grade reading and math skills; extending access to women and girls; and expanding parents, communities and stakeholders' participation in student learning; developing and strengthening the academic programs at Rural Teacher Training Institutes and the University of Liberia; and improving the qualifications of faculty through staff development. B. Activity Manager or Agreement/Contracting Officer's Representative (A/COR) for Washington-funded activities and/or other activities as assigned (15%) In this capacity, the Education Specialist provides inputs and guidance in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities in education; prepares scopes or work/program descriptions; participates in technical evaluation committees for the evaluation of proposals/applications, after award participates in project management including preparing and reviewing implementation documentation; compiles, analyzes, and prepares periodic reports on program activities; reviews work plans and implementation of plans; ensures contractors and grantees perform necessary requirements as outlined in their awards; remains in constant communication with implementing partners including frequent, regularly-scheduled meetings and frequent site visits; identifies problem areas and proposes solutions or recommendations to achieve expected results. C. Complete and maintain program/project administrative and organizational procedures (25%) The Education Specialist is responsible for collaborating with Education Team members on preparing program/project documents including concept papers, approval/concurrence documents, scopes of work, program descriptions, implementation letters, action memoranda, waivers, environment reviews, financial documents and briefing reports; drafting responses to unsolicited proposals/applications and requests for information; providing input for planning and performance reports including the Operational Plan, Performance Plan and Report, the Mission Resource Request or other documents, and Mission portfolio reviews; preparing briefing reports, memoranda, speeches and/or talking points, press releases, sector profiles, project fact sheets, success stories and other essential communication as required, for USAID/Liberia, USAID/Washington, U.S. Embassy and others. D. Provide technical advice and promote communication on issues related to education practice (10%) The Education Specialist provides leadership in education for the USAID/Liberia program in teacher training and other related education development areas by introducing, promoting, and ensuring effective implementation of innovative and effective education strategies; provides the Mission sound and appropriate guidance for project development and implementation methodology; reviews and provides input into USAID/Liberia's review of documentation submitted to USAID/Washington, such as strategic plans, annual reports, and education sector or activity-related documents; serves as a liaison and promotes joint programming, linkages and cross-sector synergies; represents the Team Leader when requested, at meetings with Ministry of Education and with other donors and non-governmental organizations to ensure harmonization of USAID/Liberia activities. The incumbent will also perform other duties as assigned and/or required. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education: The position requires a bachelor's degree in Education or other relevant social science field; master's degree or Ph.D. preferred. Demonstrated mastery in educational development and/or development project management may be accepted in lieu of the bachelor degree. Prior Work Experience: Five to seven (5-7) years of progressively responsible experience in project management is required, preferably in international development and in one or a combination of the following areas: teacher training, teacher/educator professional development, education administration, curriculum and instruction, education policy and planning, systems strengthening, information communications technology, monitoring and evaluation. Candidates who possess the requisite project management experience in a closely related field and demonstrated interest in and capacity to acquire the requisite skills in the field of education may be considered. Language Proficiency: Strong written and oral proficiency in English is required (Level IV-Fluency or V-Native speaker). The incumbent must have fluent listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing skills and the ability to communicate quickly, clearly, concisely, and persuasively-both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to write technical, conceptual, logically structured, complex documents, reports, presentations and other communications. Note: Shortlisted candidates' oral English skills will be evaluated during the interview, and English writing skills will be evaluated using a written exercise. Knowledge: Broad knowledge of the theories, concepts and principles of international development approaches. Knowledge in the area of monitoring and evaluation and human and institutional capacity building. Knowledge of practices employed in modern educational systems; knowledge of educational development in areas such as teacher training, curriculum and materials development, primary/secondary education, testing and assessment, education technology, educational administration, and capacity building; advanced knowledge of project/program management, performance monitoring and evaluation. Knowledge of other key challenges, opportunities and development frameworks in the Liberian education and other human development sectors. Skills and Abilities: Ability to identify, assess, and resolve impediments to project implementation; ability to obtain, organize and analyze education statistics and indicators and present information in concise reports; ability to analyze data for project planning and management; strong technical and interpersonal communication skills to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with staff within USAID, the Ministry of Education, Liberian and U.S. Universities, principals and teachers, as well as students and diverse members of civil society. The Education Specialist is expected to bring advanced writing skills, proficiency in word processing and the ability to use related computer packages or programs (i.e., Outlook, Google, Internet, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) for internal and external communication and to track and present quality data. SELECTION PROCESS & HOW TO APPLY After initial screening of applications, only short-listed applicants will be contacted and invited for an interview and a written exercise. Applicants selected for interview will also be evaluated on their reference checks. *** Candidates who submitted an application in April 2013 and who would still like to be considered for this position should confirm with Monrovia-hr@usaid.gov that USAID still has your application OR resubmit. Complete applications shall be submitted no later than the closing date specified, and shall include the following: 1. A clearly typed application cover letter briefly summarizing why you believe you are qualified for this position. 2. Resume or CV 3. The names/contact details of three references that can attest to your professional qualifications and experience. 4. Documentation (e.g. copies of certificates or degrees) that address the minimum requirements of the position. Please submit applications to: Education Specialist, USAID/Liberia, C/O American Embassy, Gate 3, Mamba Point, Monrovia or by e-mail to: Monrovia-hr@usaid.gov To request a full copy of this vacancy announcement, please contact Monrovia-hr@usaid.gov.