USAID/RWANDA Education Specialist

Position Title:   Education Specialist

Market Value:     $72,032 - $93,641

Period of Performance:         Two years

Place of Performance:           Kigali, Rwanda

Security Clearance Required:        Employment Authorization

USAID/Rwanda is seeking a US citizen residing in Rwanda with a valid work permit for the Position of Education Specialist.

INTRODUCTION

The USAID Mission for Rwanda manages the overall U.S. assistance program for Rwanda. This program provides support in the areas of education, public health and HIV/AIDS, rural economic growth and agricultural development, food security, and democracy, governance and reconciliation.

The U.S. Government is providing approximately $23 million Education funds in Fiscal Year 2013 to support the Ministry of Education in strengthening the quality of primary education through improved pedagogical skills and availability and use of innovative instructional materials for reading and math.  Programs also support Rwanda’s transition to English as the language of instruction in fourth grade and seeks to improve educational outcomes for girls through a partnership with the University of Rwanda, College of Education (formerly KIE) and University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, the USG provides youth with the soft skills demanded by employers in Rwanda through a work readiness curriculum implemented by youth-serving CSOs and by upper secondary and tertiary level state TVET institutions.    

1. I.                       Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Education Office Director, the Education Specialist will assist in the management of over US$40M for USAID education programs in Rwanda, including both basic and higher education activities.  The program is geographically nationwide in scope.  The Specialist is responsible for liaising with Government of Rwanda (GOR) officials, other USAID project managers and implementers, other donors, and local and international organizations to address challenges in the Rwanda education sector.  The Specialist will ensure that USAID is carrying out its strategic direction and appropriately managing projects, as well as fulfilling needed reporting requirements. The Specialist will provide full management oversight, as the agreement officer’s or contracting officer’s representative (A/COR) to implementing partners.

A.    Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The Education Specialist assists in planning and designing; program management and monitoring; and analysis and reporting for the education program.  For the purposes of this position, education programs include basic and higher education, as well as programs to engage youth more broadly, involving training, technical assistance, commodities, and coordination with federal, provincial, and, at times, district Government of Rwanda education officials.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1.       Program Management

Manage education activities, including determining work priorities in consultation with the Education Office Director; making decisions on activity implementation; identifying and resolving program issues; assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically-sound and cost-effective manner; and assuring activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements.

Provide technical inputs about programs for which s/he has cognizant technical officer (CTO, i.e., contracts and/or grants management) responsibilities to the Education Director and Program Office in order to prepare for and complete USAID’s annual report, semi-annual portfolio reviews, annual budget requests, and other briefings as required by the Government of Rwanda, Congress, Department of State, USAID/Washington, US Embassy, and USAID/Rwanda.

Plan, implement, participate in, comment upon, or prepare Mission views on evaluations, assessments or audits of activities.   Participate in technical evaluation committees and participate in the evaluation of education contract and grant proposals.  Provide technical advice and recommendations to the Education Team and implementing partners regarding program design and implementation so as to maximize the impact on quality education in Rwanda.  Assist in determining and participating in the additional analyses, assessments, or  reviews that are required to develop Mission activities in the area of good education development, designing and overseeing the implementation of such analyses or assessments, and follow up as necessary.

2.       Coordination, Technical Advice and Policy Dialogue

Participate in, coordinate or manage USAID inputs into education sector assessments conducted in conjunction with other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors.

Maintain close contact, providing technical advice, and engaging in policy dialogue with high ranking Government of Rwanda officials, staff and senior representatives of international organizations and missions, NGOs, civil society, media, political parties, and foreign donors active in the education sector, USAID assistance providers, and other U.S. Government agencies involved in the education sector.  Serve, as needed, on committees and/or represent USAID at Task Force meeting with the GOR and other donors.

3.       General Management

Continuously gathering information about and keeping current on development in the education area in Rwanda and reporting such developments as required to the Education Team and Director. Carry out other tasks related to USAID/Rwanda’s education sector programming as assigned by the Education Director or his/her designee. The Advisor will handle all assigned work either independently or as part of teams according to established Mission policies, practices and programmatic guidance,  and in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance. The Advisor is expected to make independent judgments while working as part of the Team. As a highly qualified professional, substantial reliance is placed on the employee to independently plan and carry out the specific activities required for fulfilling the major duties and responsibilities of this position.

B. Period of Performance

The Personal Services Contract will be for (24) months, with possible extensions. Extensions will be contingent on the need of continued services, satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

C. Qualifications/Selection Criteria:

Only citizens of the United States or persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States are eligible for selection.  In addition, as recruitment is being done locally under a class justification excepting this requirement from full and open competition, only those who meet the following definition of a resident hire are eligible for selection: 

Resident Hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country:

(i) as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed:  (A) by a U.S. government agency; or (B) under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement; or (C) under any other contract or agreement that provides for repatriation to the United States; or

(ii) for reasons other than employment: (A) with a U.S. government agency; or (B) under any U.S. government financed contract or agreements; or (C) under any other contract or employment arrangement that provides for repatriation to the United States.

Education    

At least a bachelors’ degree in education, social sciences, public administration or related field is required.

Experience 

The following experience is required in order to qualify for selection:

1. A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in education and/or program management is required. 
2. Two or more years of overseas experience in a developing nation;
3. Experience in managing complicated, politically sensitive programs;
4. Proven organizational and administrative skills.

Knowledge 

The following knowledge is required in order to qualify for selection:

1. Professional knowledge of a broad range of education and development issues.
2. Knowledge of the sub-Saharan Africa, preferably East and/or Central Africa cultural/work environment.

Skills and Abilities 

The ability to advise supervisors and senior staff in USAID on Rwandan developments and issues across a wide range of education-related topics (such as basic education, higher education, literacy, youth and workforce development) and their implications for USAID programs is required. 

Experience in program design, implementation, monitoring, and/or evaluation is required The ability to coordinate successfully with all parts of USAID, the U.S. Government, and with Rwandan counterparts to advance USAID education program interests is required.  The ability to handle sensitive issues  diplomatically, represent the U.S. Government authoritatively, and to use good judgment in speaking on behalf of USAID in meetings with others in the U.S. Government, the Government of Rwanda, NGOs,  and other donors and in conferences, seminars, workshops, and the like is required. Excellent organization management skills are required.  The Specialist must have exceptional written and oral language skills and demonstrated ability to carry out effective presentations for a wide variety of audiences. Sound and independent judgment, with the skills necessary to strategize, develop, and effectively implement activities in a fast-paced, often high-pressure environment; The ability to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks and objectives.

The ability to work as part of a team and to maintain cordial and professional relationships within USAID and with host government officials, NGOs, and contractor personnel; Excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine passion for development; A high degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in representing the USG; Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other software necessary for completing the required responsibilities; The ability to prepare required reports and other documents in proper format and language.

Language Proficiency 

English Level 4 proficiency required – written and oral.

Past performance / Professional reference checks 

Applicants must list at least three references and provide current contact information, preferably both an e-mail address and a telephone number.

Required Summary Statement

Applicants are required to address the above selection criteria in a summary statement attached to the application. This summary statement, limited to two pages, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The summary statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page. Failure to provide this summary statement may result in lower scores against the selection criteria above.

Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on interview performance. These interviews may be conducted by telephone. A writing test and samples of past work will be required.

1.       HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants for this position must submit all of the following or their applications will not be considered:

1. A signed U.S. government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://inside.usaid.gov/forms/,
2. The applicant’s detailed CV and a cover letter of application; and
3. Three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and email contacts.

  

SUBMIT APPLICATION BY E-MAIL TO:

Human Resources Office,

USAID/Rwanda

E-mail: Kigalihr@usaid.gov

Tel: 0252-596400, Ext. # 2605

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION:  January 14, 2014 at 17:00