Education Specialist – Nairobi – Finn Church Aid

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s biggest development co-operation organisation and the second biggest organisation in Finland working in humanitarian aid. Finn Church Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance (ACT), an alliance of faith-based development and humanitarian aid organisations forming one of the world’s largest aid organisations.

Background:
We’re looking for an ambitious and target driven Education Specialist to lead a new 2-year project. Improving children’s access to quality and inclusive education in nomadic and semi-nomadic regions of northern Kenya, specifically in Turkana, Garissa and Marsabit counties. Under the overall supervision of the FCA Kenya Country Manager and with the technical support of the Programmes Manager – Promoting access to quality education in Northern Kenya for Out-of-School Children (OOSC).
The Education Specialist will provide advice to the FCA Kenya Office (KECO) with strategic and technical leadership to all aspects of the project; including planning, design, implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Main duties and responsibilities:
• Lead the training and induction of Teachers without Borders volunteers and Community and provide on-going technical support to staff and volunteers.
• Develop, coordinate and monitor implementation of integrated professional development framework, including teacher training, in-class instructional support for teachers, and Mobile-Mentoring.
• Provide guidance to Monitoring and Evaluation Officer on: 1) development of comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation framework and efficient , accurate, and child-friendly methods for data collection; 2) identification of impact, lessons learned, problem areas, and how these challenges can be overcome;
• Represent FCA Kenya in discussions and negotiations with wide stakeholders and line Ministry counterparts.
• Create and design age-appropriate lesson plans for participants. Occasionally collect and review all lesson plans to ensure proper alignment with MoEST and TSC standards.
• Assist participants in actively achieving increased comprehension and retention of specific subject material, and improve academic skills in designated areas.
• Identify participants experiencing difficulty; provide encouragement and alternative explanations of subject material.
• Support staff in execution of project plans, academic activities, and give constructive feedback.
• Work with education officers, school staff to understand academic expectations of each class, and develop activities, assignments, practice tests and strategies accordingly.
• Create or use existing tool for curriculum to ensure integrity; create academic learning plan for participants.
• Work with participants to develop a high level of motivation in academic areas and positive attitudes toward learning and studying, by acknowledging pupil’s efforts, progress and achievements.
• Create and maintain a strength-based, youth-focused atmosphere that is consistent and sensitive to the needs of participants with learning, emotional, or behavioural differences. Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents and guardians through regular communication about their child’s strengths and areas of growth.

Competence and Personal Requirements
• Masters university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Education; Primary Education, project management or Social Sciences fields relevant to international development assistance
• Relevant knowledge of Child-Friendly Schools, Nomadic Education, Alternative Basic Education, and School Improvement/School Effectiveness
• More than 8 years of experience in managing large-scale, high-impact educational program delivery schemes for improving quality education for the most marginalized populations, particularly in bringing out-of-school children to school and schooling to out-of-school children
• Demonstrated application of innovative approaches to educational policy reform, research and practice, especially for improving quality education for out-of-school children is critical.
• Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, including the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action as well as knowledge of the Global Partnerships for Education (GPE)
• Experience in leading teacher trainings and professional development programs, conducting applied education research, and managing large cross-cultural teams
• 10 years or more experience in providing technical assistance to donor funded education development programs.
• Knowledge in education systems and technical background such as; education sector development, quality, inclusive and protective education, girls’ education, community based approached to education. SC

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should submit their motivation letter and CV torecruitment.esaro@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi by Friday 13th October, 2016.

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