Job Description
About the organisation and the role
CRECCOM is part of a consortium implementing a Government of Malawi Programme called the Building Education Foundation through Innovations and Technology (BEFIT). The programme is a national rollout of a tablet-based learning intervention for all learners in Standards 1-4 in all public primary schools, reaching approximately 3.8 million learners in 6,000 schools. The roll-out will be implemented in 6 different phases spanning from years 1 to 6. From September 2023 to August 2029.
The program goal is to improve learning outcomes in reading and numeracy through supplemental use of individualized, self-paced instruction delivered through specialized apps on Android tablets for Standards 1-4 learners.
The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Education led by the Directorate of Open Distance and Learning (DODeL) and the Directorate of Basic Education, with support from a consortium comprising Imagine Worldwide (IW), Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), One Billion (OB), Implementation Support Partners (ISPs), and Technical Support Partners (TSPs).
CRECCOM is the ISP for Mulanje, Thyolo, Zomba Urban, Chiradzulu, Phalombe and Blantyre (urban and rural) education districts responsible for providing operational and implementation support in 55 targeted schools in phase one and 104 schools in phase two.
CRECCOM is looking to recruit creative, dynamic, competent and self-motivated persons to fill the positions of Project Officers (12 Positions) under the BEFIT Program. The Project Officers will be based in Chiradzulu, Phalombe, Blantyre and Mulanje districts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Program Manager, each post holder will be responsible for 10 schools and the duties include the following.
- Supporting zone implementation officers in preparing schools for successful launch through development, organization, and provision of training for staff at district, zone and school level on key monitoring processes including to:
- Carrying out assessments in collaboration with the local Ministry of Education structures at district, zone and school levels to understand specific school needs and requirements to successfully set up the technology in the selected schools.
- Collaborating with zone officers to establish enrollment patterns, focusing on number of streams in each of the grades 1-4, number of learners per class in each grade, number of teachers available for each stream, and number of classes in each grade.
- Supporting schools in reviewing and revising existing timetables according to guidance from the Ministry of Education on how to integrate the edtech program into the school’s timetable.
- Assessing the suitability of selected spaces in the schools for the installation of tablet cages, solar units and accessories.
- Sharing details of installation needs and required work for successful installation with the relevant Technical Service Providers (TSPs).
- Collaborating with zone officers and the local school authorities to plan and implementing sensitization meetings with parents and local school stakeholders on the edtech program to garner local ownership and support of the local BEFIT program.
- Supporting schools in setting up attendance committees composed of PTA, SMC, and Mother Group members to support program implementation at the school level.
- Coordinating with TSPs and zone education officers about the setup of technology in the schools including the delivery of tablets and the installation of solar and cages.
- Working with the ICT Technical Leads and zone technical officers to test all installed equipment including tablets, solar chargers and batteries. Ensure that the tablets are charging well and that the software is running efficiently on the tablets ahead of the launch.
- Planning and providing capacity building to district and zone officers on the program facilitation, implementation, quality monitoring tools, data collection processes, and program dashboard usage.
- Ensuring technical support is available for schools in liaison with ZEMISO and DEMISO.
- Taking part in the overall BEFIT program monitoring evaluation accountability and learning (MEAL) processes.
- Planning and conducting MEAL and Technical training for district and zone implementation officers.
- Collaborating with zone officers to establish a routine for regular supervision and data collection in each school every week and monitor the implementation of the set routines.
- Collaborating with the zone officers responsible for schools in a selected zone to develop and deliver a training program for local school technical support, edtech lesson facilitation procedures, program implementation quality monitoring, and use of dashboards to track program implementation.
- Overseeing school-level training and engagement meetings by zone implementing officers and providing support as required.
- Supporting zone-level capacity development to ensure schools are visited twice a week to monitor implementation progress, identifying existing challenges, and providing solutions to identified problems.
- Collaborating with zone officers and schools in organizing monthly review meetings with teachers and members of school committees to discuss and resolve any challenges encountered in the implementation.
- Supporting zone officers in collecting data, transmitting/uploading data onto the dashboards, and sharing key monitoring lessons with schools and local committees in the schools.
- Ensuring that the required capacity is built among key stakeholders before disengaging from the assigned sites at the end of the two years of regular support to government structures.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Education Degree, Community Development or any other related field and at least three years’ experience.
- 3 years’ experience working in an NGO.
- Ability to ride a motorcycle, with a valid motorcycle driver’s licence.
Personal Specifications/ Attributes
- Trustworthy and dependable
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to prioritize competing assignments and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage and work independently and efficiently
- Ability to work well with others, including project staff, government counterparts and other stakeholders
- Ability to manage and work independently and efficiently.
- Ability to prioritize competing assignments and attention to detail.
- The ability to work closely with community members and inspire teamwork among diverse partners without direct supervisory responsibilities
- Strong interpersonal, writing, presentation, and organizational skills
- Proven collegial and cooperative approach to management and decision-making
- Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities