Position Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing
global development firm that specializes in education,
economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Project Summary:
Creative Associates seeks a Systems Strengthening and Policy
Advisor for the upcoming five-year, multi-million-dollar USAID-funded Accessible and Quality
Basic Education Activity (AQBE) in Afghanistan. In alignment with Afghanistan's education sector reform efforts, AQBE will support a system strengthening approach to improve access to education, quality of reading and math instruction and learning, and improved learner and teacher well-being. The project's goal is to ensure improved equitable access to and measurable outcomes in reading and math for all students in grades 1-3 building on the achievements of past USAID investments in Afghanistan.
Position Summary:
The Systems Strengthening and
Policy Advisor will have overall responsibility for the quality implementation of activities related to educational systems strengthening. Building on USAID/Afghanistan's investments, s/he will lead the
design and development of activities to build government capacity at the national, provincial, and district levels to plan and manage quality education service delivery and expand access. S/he will work with project partners and stakeholders to design and develop policy implementation guidance and action plans for the flow-down of policy in target provinces and districts. S/he will also actively advise the program on policy related issues and support the development of educational policies.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor reports to the Deputy
Chief of Party and has supervisory responsibility.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:
- Facilitate a process with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other stakeholders at central- and provincial-levels to map and review existing education policy frameworks, especially around systems, access, attendance, instruction, teacher professional development, material development, and assessment
- Work with relevant project stakeholders and local officials to provide support to sustain existing policy initiatives and facilitate implementation of MoE policies and strategies.
- Support implementation and monitoring of policy action plans.
- Facilitate policy review meetings regarding quality and access to track progress in implementing new policies, identify corrective actions to speed implementation, and develop tools to assess impact.
- Improve the capacity of education officials and provincial, district, and school staff to develop leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills to effectively implement policies and regulations regarding improved learning outcomes.
- Draft policy documents, presentations, and reports for the DCOP and COP as well as external stakeholders.
- Strengthen the capacity of various stakeholders within MoE so that they can collaborate in a synergized manner and prevent overlap of resources.
- Extrapolate qualitative and quantitative data to support system strengthening methods.
- Analyze documentary and statistical material, identifying relevant policy and potential research issues.
- Gather information and data for the purpose of comparative analysis. Ensure validity of data. Analyze information to prepare diagrams, tables and graphs.
- Draft and edit substantive papers including analytical research papers, seminar proceedings and synthesis papers from expert discussions. As appropriate, design and conduct data collection (e.g. questionnaires, case studies) and develop appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis.
- Keep abreast of new research, exploratory work and educational policies
- Contribute to the organization of seminars and workshops, in collaboration with other technical leads.
- Based on research and studies efforts, lead the write up and dissemination of policy briefs towards informing decision making.
- Provide coaching on various issues including data analysis and evidence-based decision making, monitoring, and staff mentoring.
- Work closely with other program colleagues and technical specialists to ensure integrated, consistent approach to gender, equity, and social inclusion activities.
- Support dissemination of new policies and opportunities for feedback at all levels through national and provincial-level workshops involving MoE officials, community meetings, publications, and ongoing media campaigns. Qualifications
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Education, Public Policy, or related field.
- At least eight years of education project implementation experience, and five years in a leadership role.
- Specific experience in basic education reform, institutional capacity building, and policy framework development.
- Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, actors, and other stakeholders at the national, district, and local levels.
- Ability to lead workshops, trainings, and strategic planning sessions.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation highly desired.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong communication skills: fluency in Dari and Pashto required and advanced knowledge of spoken and written English highly desired.
Only finalists will be, please contacted. No phone calls.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.
