Regional Education Advisor (Nairobi) – Kenya Primary Literacy Programme Full Time

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

The Kenya Primary Literacy Programme (KPLP) is a five-year initiative that supports the Kenyan Ministry of Education to deliver interventions at scale as well as pilot and expand innovations that address the language and literacy needs of primary grade learners while building more inclusive, accountable, and resilient education institutions and systems.

KPLP has three broad objectives:

1. Improving education services and student learning outcomes, including for vulnerable populations;

2. Strengthening education institutions and systems to become more accountable, self-sustaining, and resilient; and

3. Empowering local youth organizations to strengthen and sustain community and family support for student learning and wellbeing.

Position Description

In coordination with the KPLP National Office in Nairobi, the Regional Education Advisor leads technical assistance and collaboration at the regional level for the KPLP activity. This role involves managing the regional technical teams and will collaborate closely with county-level education and Teacher Service Commission (TSC) staff to plan activities, such as teacher professional development, support to grantees, annual work planning and the review of capacity building through the County Program Coordination Committees. The Regional Education Advisor will report to the Chief of Party or his/her designee. This position will be based in Nairobi.

The Regional Education Advisor’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with the KPLP National Office, manage the regional team, including the Professional Development Officer, Family and Community Participation Officer, Special Needs Education Officer, Capacity Building Officer, Grant Officer, MEL Assistant, Accountant, Driver and Janitor.
• Provide high-level technical assistance and support collaboration at the regional, county, and sub-county level, ensuring alignment with overall project objectives.
• Work closely with county-level education authorities and TSC staff to plan and implement activities, ensuring local educational needs and standards are met.
• Support the annual work planning process and review the effectiveness of capacity building initiatives through the County Program Coordination Committees.
• Lead delivery of training and professional development programs for teachers, including school-based initiatives, ensuring they are effective and meet regional needs.
• Ensure that training, technical assistance, and follow-up for special needs education are appropriately provided and integrated within regional educational programs.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including local governments, community organizations, and educational institutions to enhance the impact of the KPLP activity.
• Support the administration and oversight of grant expenditures in accordance with EDC and USAID guidelines.
• Regularly report to the COP and/or DCOP on program progress, challenges, and strategic opportunities, ensuring high levels of accountability and program quality.
• Prepare data and information for project quarterly and annual reports, and other data as required.

The candidate for the position of Regional Education Advisor shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Master’s degree in Education, Early Grade Reading, Literacy, Curriculum Development, or related field.

Skills and Experience:

• 8 to 9 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant experience required.
• Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams, including cross-cultural team dynamics.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in education programming including in key areas such as capacity building, professional development, and community and family engagement.
• Experience in program planning, annual work planning, and evaluation, including the ability to set realistic goals and objectives.
• Proficiency in managing and analyzing educational data, with experience in ensuring data quality and utilizing data for program improvement and decision-making.
• Experience engaging with a variety of stakeholders including government officials, community leaders, and international partners.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Must be able to work within a cross-cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure.
• Experience in materials development preferred.
• Experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred.

Language:

Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

Other:

Applicants must be Kenyan nationals or hold current work authorization.

Tagged as: Education Development Center, Kenya