Senior Programme Officer, Education

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non-denominational, international development agency promoting creative and effective solutions to selected problems that impede social and economic development in parts of Africa and Asia. AKF-Tanzania is part of the AKF-East Africa regional structure that supports programmes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. In Tanzania, AKF is managing a robust and expanding portfolio of multi-sectorial initiatives that includes programmes in education, early childhood development, health, nutrition, rural economic development, and civil society strengthening. In the education sector, AKF’s portfolio in Tanzania includes projects on education system strengthening with a strong focus on pre-primary and primary education.

AKF Tanzania invites applications from qualified and dynamic candidates for the position of Senior Programme Officer (Education). Based in Dar-es-Salaam and reporting to the Director of Programmes, this position is part of AKF Tanzania’s core team. This position provides the opportunity to oversee and shape the education programming portfolio of AKF in Tanzania and contribute to the wider East African portfolio. The successful candidate is expected to lead in the education sector and contribute to AKF-T’s strategic directions, programme development, grant management, and learning and policy engagement in the sector. Key responsibilities include leading the technical and quality assurance of all existing education projects in Tanzania and supporting the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP) implement high quality pre-primary education projects in Zanzibar and the mainland.

Specific responsibilities of the SPO include:

• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance of all AKF and MECP education projects in Tanzania, identify implementation challenges and recommend solutions
• Fulfil all grant management responsibilities for on-going grants/projects including:
• Coordinate the development of high quality annual workplans
• Coordinate and ensure excellent cooperative relationships with partners
• Ensure the timely submission of donor reports
• Track financial utilisation of projects
• Manage donor relationships
• Lead program development and resource mobilisation for AKF’s education and early childhood development portfolio in Tanzania;
• Implement a robust learning system for the education sector that enables learning to inform government, NGO, and development partner policy, programs and practice
• Represent AKF at national education technical working groups and foster productive relationship with principle education and early childhood development stakeholders including government ministries and authorities, education networks, policy forums, development partners, donor agencies, and civil society organizations

The ideal candidate will have:

1. Hold a Master’s degree in education or related field;
2. A minimum of six years of solid relevant experience working with education systems, government and NGO partners, and education project management;
3. Proven experience in managing multiple grants and projects;
4. Evidence of providing quality assurance and technical support to project implementation teams and support the education team to develop their technical capacity with respect to education and donor compliance
5. Demonstrated capacity to write high quality reports for donor projects and analytical briefs;
6. Programme development and resource mobilisation experience with ability to write strong proposals and responsive bids for new programming;
7. Proven experience of budget planning processes (including financial compliance), performance management frameworks, log frames, M&E plans; and fund management;
8. Management, leadership and communication skills;
9. Ability to communicate and represent organisations at a national and local level
10. Evidence of managing relationships with multiple partners and high level organisational partnerships;
11. In-depth understanding of global and local education theory and practice
12. Exceptional written and verbal skills in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili an advantage;
13. Experience of working in Tanzania or East Africa will be an advantage

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV (not exceeding four pages), and the contact information of three referees to the Country Director, Aga Khan Foundation, Tanzania or by e-mail to recruit.akftz@akdn.org before the close of business on 24th March 2017. If applying by email, please write the title of this position in the subject line and in your email. Do not attach any document other than the CV and cover letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.