Programme Coordinator Partnership for African Social and Governance Research Nairobi, Kenya

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Note: This is a short-term assignment particularly suitable for individuals able to obtain a leave of absence or secondment for professional development purposes. 

REPORTS TO: Director of Higher Education 

DURATION: 6-month Contract (extendable)

MAIN CONTACTS: African social science academic and research community; policy actors; PASGR resource persons 


Key Role and Competencies
The Programme Coordinator will provide support to the Director of Higher Education in the intellectual leadership, strategic direction and coordination of PASGR capacity building initiatives in the region. 
To perform this role, the ideal candidate will have 8+ years of relevant working experience in higher education in one or more countries in Africa, plus one or more of the following: teaching and research on issues of higher education; managing higher education and/or research projects in the realm of social science and governance from conceptualisation stage through to dissemination of research findings; policy development and implementation; and, programme administration and project management skills.

Core Responsibilities
• Identify issues, information needs and activities needed for successful development and implementation of programme activities;

• Work with advisory committees and resource persons to support successful implementation of activities, including curriculum development and professional development for university teaching staff, as well as work effectively with universities and research organisations in Africa and internationally on research, higher education and policy uptake;

• Prepare reports, work plans and progress reports for respective programmes, including undertaking background work, research, preparation of discussion papers, programme budgets, strategy papers and presentation materials;

• Coordinate and monitor all inputs associated with the programme, such as scoping studies undertaken by advisors or other consultants contracted to support programme design and development;

• Lead consultation, communication and outreach activities associated with assigned programmes, identifying, engaging and communicating with programme participants and key stakeholders on behalf of PASGR;

• Support collaboration across programmes to ensure alignment and congruity among programme elements;

• Participate in PASGR programme team meetings; 

• Assist with financial planning, organisational design and monitoring of programme activities; 

• Represent PASGR at regional as well as international events and meetings; and 

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Higher Education Director and Executive Director.

Requirements/Desired Competencies 
• Education/qualifications: PhD in Social Sciences or humanities relevant to PASGR’s focus on social policy and governance. Candidates with a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, coupled with significant working experience (i.e., transferrable skills and over 8 years of professional experience since graduation may be considered. 

• Experience: A minimum of 8 years relevant working experience managing projects/activities in the higher education social science area or research projects in the realm of social policy and governance; experience in graduate teaching in social science research and/or public policy; and, a personal research record in a relevant social science research and/or public policy in Africa including an extensive publications record in refereed journals. 

• Skills: A demonstrated capacity for establishing and building partnerships; a record of planning, managing and monitoring major social science and/or governance research projects, including leading multi-disciplinary teams and engaging both at field level and in policy circles; demonstrated ability for building relationships, negotiating and obtaining consensus with key stakeholders and, strong communication skills. Ability to work in French would be an added advantage.

Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter addressing the requirements and desired competencies and should include three referees. Applicants should also submit a summary of any published research. All applications must be submitted electronically in Word or PDF format only to the address below. Candidates should not contact PASGR with enquiries or submit applications to any Board or staff member as this may result in disqualification. Candidates who wish to apply for other PASGR positions must do so separately in accordance with the requirements of those positions. 

Applications should be sent prior to 5 pm Kenya time, Monday, December 3, 2012 to: recruitment@pasgr.org (the email subject line should indicate “Programme Coordinator Nov 2012”. 

NOTE: Only candidates residing in East Africa and are eligible to work in Kenya will be considered. PASGR will not provide relocation allowances for this position. This post provides an ideal professional development experience to a candidate who is able to arrange a leave of absence or whose organization is willing to provide a secondment.