Country: Uganda
Closing date: 30 Nov 2018
Education Project Manager (Phase 2)
Uganda
Description of Assignment
VC is an Irish-based organisation supporting and working within the faith-based international development sector. We specialise in the recruitment, training and placement of skilled volunteers on projects identified by a mission partner which meets the needs of the beneficiaries. We also specialise in the area of grant support, (proposal writing), monitoring and implementation of projects as well as in the recruitment of experts/consultants for clearly defined projects in developing countries. The organisation is needs-driven focusing on assignments in projects identified by its partners in the field which meet the needs of their beneficiaries. VC are signatories to the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice for volunteer sending organisations. Since 1960 we have recruited, trained and placed over 2000 volunteers in 48 different countries. Today we have volunteers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
*Please note that this is a Volunteer Development Worker assignment - not salaried but has generous monthly allowance, flight contributions, insurance and accommodation
Assignment Title: Education Project Manager - in second phase of project
Type of Assignment: International Development Worker
Project Title: Strengthening and Capacity building of the Diocesan inspectorate of schools in Kiyinda Mityana Diocese
Duration: 12months
Location, Country: Mityana, Uganda
Expected Starting Date: Q2 2019
Brief Project Description: The Kiyinda Mityana Catholic Diocese Education Department hopes to build the capacity of local staff in carrying out whole school assessments - in supervision, monitoring and evaluation of school activities with the ultimate aim being general improvement of the quality of education provided and learning outcomes achieved by children in its diocesan schools through school improvement plans. There are currently 364 schools within the diocese (13 nursery schools, 310 primary schools, 4 vocational schools, 36 secondary and 1 tertiary school – primary teaching college)
Working in partnership with Mityana Catholic Diocese Education Department since 2017, VC has already engaged in a Phase 1 of this project where two VC volunteers have already been on assignment at this project to undertake situational analysis, commencement of project office and systems set up as well as training and development of school inspectors.
The overall aim of this follow-on Phase 2 project is to strengthen the governance processes of the school inspectorate function, develop and standardise the inspection process, train relevant stakeholders especially the Chaplains who have a responsibility to oversee activities of schools on behalf of the church and trustees, and to develop the programme within the Archdiocese.
Phase 2 aims to build on the preparatory work in the area of training but importantly seeks to embed this intervention, training, support and mentoring into a new strategic plan so that the results of the situational analysis and other stakeholder engagement is fully incorporated into diocesan plans and endorsed by the bishop going forward.
The deployment of a suitably qualified VC volunteer development worker to assist the (soon to be appointed) staff inspector within the education department in the delivery of activities will be a vital addition to assisting him or her in their engagement with school inspectorate for a duration of 12 months.
Organisational Context: The Volunteer development worker will work within the Kiyinda Mityana Diocese Education Department, alongside a (soon to be appointed) staff inspector to bring his/her expertise to help build capacity, improve learning outcomes and add cultural diversity to the team.
Type of Assignment Place: assignment without family
Description of tasks: The VC Education Project Manager (Phase 2) will work with the Diocesan Inspectorate Team to carry on from the work completed in Phase 1 of this project (2017-18) and to further increase local capacity in carrying out school assessments and valuations (Whole School Evaluation & Improvements) to help improve the quality of education provided and learning outcomes achieved by children in the diocesan schools by:
- Establishing metrics to measure key indicators for each school such as teacher pupil ratio, attendance of teachers and students, exam results, rating of facilities, attainment and drop-out rates.
- Setting up a database to record data and a process to facilitate ongoing monitoring and reporting. (Also to include Government-recommended metrics which will be incorporated
- Establishing school inspectors' clubs on a pilot basis in 6 schools. Students on the prefectural bodies will be enabled to inspect and capture data for their school, prepare for external inspections and capture recommendations. The diocesan inspectorate will subsequently perform school inspections at these 6 locations.
- Working with local team to explore the potential to roll out school inspectors' clubs to other Diocesan schools on a phased basis (There are a total of 391 schools in the Diocese)
- Working alongside diocesan inspectorate staff including a named main counterpart (who will be a new hire) for succession purposes in a mentoring capacity for a period of 1 year; to build on the training carried out in phase 1 and roll out refresher training to the 32 of the 37 school inspectors (chaplains) initially trained in phase 1; and provide ongoing support and expertise as the inspectors plan to formally perform inspections. The team will schedule 10 inspections, and will include the 6 schools in their inspection schedule, from the pilot school inspectors club programme outlined above in order to give a good indication as to the impact of the clubs.
- Offering expertise with a different, international perspective to help build the capacity of local staff in school inspection and supervision
- Working as a resource person to help set up networks and linkages nationally and internationally in terms of resources and donors to help improve access to financial grants and educational supports.
- Helping to improve overall structural and organisational management within the schools system
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Fluency in English
- Relevant degree / post graduate qualification in Education (Teaching degree / MA)
- School Management experience
- Experience of facilitation
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Past experience of project management
- Excellent administration skills
- Ability to work with a wide range of people in a respectful and collaborative manner
- Experience in mentoring / supervising
- Good understanding of development issues in Uganda
Living Conditions:
Modest with all facilities.
Conditions of Service
A 12 month contract, monthly allowances and flight contribution as well as free accommodation.
How to apply:
Please send CV and covering letter to colette@viatoreschristi.com