Uganda: Pedagogical Didactical Officer

JOB OPENING: Pedagogical Didactical Officer
PROJECT Learn4AgriBusiness
POSITION OPEN FOR: Ugandans
DESIRED START DATE: 1st February 2018.
DUTY STATION: Dokolo, Dokolo District
CLOSING DATE: 8th of January 2018
DURATION: Until end 2018, with possibility of extension till 2020

Heifer, in collaboration with Edukans, will implement a 3-year project called: Learn4AgriBusiness.
Edukans provides market-oriented vocational training to empower young people: youngsters learn the social, business and technical skills they need to increase their employability and chances of making a living. Market-oriented skills training needs to be customized with input from the labour market, the trainee and the training provider. To achieve success, it is essential to link all three parties.
Heifer works with communities to strengthen local economies. Our approach involves enhancing the capacity of vulnerable but entrepreneurial small-scale farmers to secure their livelihoods. Multiplied by strong social capital and women’s empowerment, our work results in improved food security and incomes in sustainable farming systems. Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty.
The intervention aims to bridge the gap between marginalized, unemployed rural youth and the agricultural sector. Constraints on both sides of the gap are currently preventing youth from finding decent employment in the sector: youth lack employable skills and assets, while the sector lacks strong and inclusive structures for market access and business support. The project will focus on combining Edukans’ expertise in market-oriented skills education methods with Heifer’s experience in community-based development of agricultural production systems and inclusive markets. With this approach, we will directly enable 3,200 youth in Dokolo district, North Uganda to make a decent and sustainable living in agricultural value chains.
The project will focus on three specific value chains: maize, groundnut and sunflower. The selected chains provide employment opportunities in production, but also in processing, transportation, marketing, service provision, etc. Each of these activities requires first of all a specific set of technical skills that are currently lacking or weak. Whatever agricultural knowledge youth has mostly comes from their parents and peers, who predominantly work in low productive subsistence systems and are increasingly challenged by soil degradation and low and erratic rainfall. Limited skills in post-harvest handling and processing further cause substantial harvest losses. To make the transition from subsistence to commercial farming, and also to venture into other commercial activities along the value chain, youth further require the right entrepreneurial skills and mindset.
Organizational structure
For this project, Edukans is looking for a Skills Development Officer, to be based in Dokolo
(Dokolo District) with frequent travel in Northern Uganda. The candidate will be responsible for
the effective development and implementation of the agricultural vocational skills component of
the project and will be accountable to the project coordinator. Edukans will provide technical and
operational support.
The Uganda Skills expert will be part of the Edukans’ global skills team. Development of annual
activity plans and monitoring of progress will be done in close collaboration of the skills team in
the Netherlands and Kenya office.

Key roles and responsibilities

1. Project implementation

• Support the development of the operational plans of the project, and Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) providers.
• Co-development of a self-supportive and replicable model for practical, informal, community based learning.
• Improve the pedagogical didactical quality of the existing ATVETs and informal courses.
• Train teachers and trainers on active teaching and learning
• (Further) develop tools and methodologies (also for illiterate people)

2. Project monitoring

• Support the collection, analysis and management of data/knowledge related to quality progress and to provide recommendations for ongoing improvements.
• Signaling issues that need improvement and take action accordingly;

3. Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting as requested by the line manager
• Administration / budget keeping of skills component and individual projects

4. Communication and coordination

• Close coordination and frequent communication with the line manager and Edukans supervisor.
• Develop and maintain transparent and honest communication and relationships.
• Perform other duties as required
• Contacts Edukans: Country Representative Edukans Kenya, Programme Manager Skills Kenya, Global Skills Team.

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum Degree in Pedagogy, Vocational Education, Adult/illiterate Education or related field.
• At least 4 years of experience in pedagogical didactical quality improvement of VET/ATVET programs.
• Preferably experience with education for illiterate people.
• Proven experience on training, preferably on training of trainers.
• Knowledge of and experience with Project Cycle Management.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office.
• With preference work experience in Northern Uganda .
• Experience with Agriculture is an asset.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of English, spoken and written. Knowledge of local language is an added advantage

• Strong inter-personal, communication, cultural and diplomatic skills.

• Team-player.

• Transparant.

• Able to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines.

• Willing to travel (national, Africa, Europe), appr. 8 times a year.

What we offer:

• Challenging working environment with scope for professional and personal development;
• Being part of a dedicated, motivated and intercultural team.
• Gender sensitive working environment.
• Preference is given to Ugandan nationals.
• Salary ranging from €1200 (Euro) to €1500 (Euro) monthly, depending on the qualification and experience of the candidate. No additional benefits apply for national staff.

How to apply
Please send your application (including CV and contact details of 3 referees) to
The Country Representative ,Edukans Kenya office
P.O Box 51874 – 00100
Off Agwings Kodhek Road
Mtoni Court No 9, Kilimani, Nairobi
Or email : mary@edukans.org
on or before the 10th of January 2018. Please indicate clearly the position you are applying for in the subject email and in your cover letter. Also include your Skype address. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview through Skype to be held after the 15th of January, 2018.

Note: We highly value your application, however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Disclaimer: Edukans International does not charge any application fee.