Ajira Portal:- EPforR Manager – Shule Bora (Quality School) at Mott MacDonald October 2024

Job Description

The Education Programme for Results (EPforR II) Manager will provide technical and professional advisory/leadership to ensure quality and timely execution of the SB programme within the context of a changing education environment. The Manager  will seek to build strategic alliances with key EPforR stakeholders including coordinating work and generating synergies between Development Partners (DPs) and other education programmes and agencies; other ministries relevant to the programme; and the private sector and civil society groups. The position holder will advise the Team Leader/Deputy Team Leader and DPs on how well to embed the EPforR programme in government structures and lead capacity building of the Coordination Unit for seamless graduation of the programme into government by December 2026. He/she will ensure strong alignment and coordination between SB and EP4R These will entail documenting lessons and best practice of the programme and ensure they are shared with MoEST, PO-RALG and relevant departments and institutions so they can be used to inform education approaches, practices and strategies. In close coordination with the EP4R coordinator, the position holder will ensure that all lessons learned from the 9 SB regions are being reported to EP4R coordination unit as and being used to design new DLIs and ensure national implementation of SB.

The following are the core responsibilities of the position holder:

Strategic Leadership

1. In coordination with TL and DTL, lead and catalyse policy dialogue with Government of Tanzania (GoT) supporting the EPforR II in its quest to improve budget predictability, strengthen resource allocation systems delivery through institutional capacity building.

2. Maintain in-depth and up-to-date awareness of the political economy of Tanzania, especially as it relates to the education sector, and develop strategies as well as advise the Shule Bora (SB) Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) and financing DPs on how to take these political considerations into account to achieve the most effective progress towards the overarching programme (EPforR II) objectives.

3. Develop and maintain a clear vision on where, when and how EPforR technical assistance (TA) should focus its effort.

4. Act as manager to EPforR DPs and key governmental stakeholders in delivering the WorkPlan and ensure GoT and FCDO are consulted and informed of key developments.

5. Advise and ensure technology and innovative approaches are embedded in EPforR strategy and delivery.

6. Monitor trends and spot strategic issues and opportunities, challenge conventional wisdom and actively pursue new approaches to bring about change in agreement with TL and DTL.

7. Ensure that all key decisions made by EP4R coordination unit are made taking into consideration cross-cutting principles which include: ownership by Government, learning, delivery, diversity and inclusion (including issues around power and equity) and sustainability of impact created.

8. Support and work closely with the GoT on EPforR delivery, supporting GoT’s technical assistance and capacity building needs, and facilitating efficient delivery of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) through robust data verification, financial management and risk management.

9. Coordinate Shule Bora resources allocated to EPforR support and maintain oversight of the EPforR team

10. Work with the EPfoR coordination units within MoEST and PO-RALG to ensure the programme is being implemented according to the agreed targets and in alignment with the Programme Operations Manual (POM).

11. Ensure smooth communication to TL and DTL for them to be aware of progress and any foreseen challenges so that issues can be flagged to FCDO in a timely manner and resolved effectively.

Programme Management

1. Provide leadership and technical direction, through working with Government, FCDO, other financing DPs and team members to agree on the core values and strategic direction of to meet the SB programme objectives including DLIs.

2. Ensure alignment of FCDO, other financing DPs and Government priorities with the vision and core values of the programme. Generate positive approach among key stakeholders for new and innovative approaches, involving staff and key stakeholders in developing and realising the vision.

3. In coordination with TL/DTL and Output leads, Lead/advise in the identification of opportunities for further activities/DLIs that will contribute to delivery of education through changes in policy and practise

4. Maximise Value for Money (effectiveness, efficiency and economy) in all programme activities to attain aims.

5. Support and work closely with the EPforR coordinator  to implement the capacity building plan for the PforR Coordination Unit.

6. Contribute to technical planning, regular monitoring and assurance of progress, and quality assurance of deliverables,

7. Oversee the practical operation of the overall EPforR through maintaining and updating the Program Operations Manual and advising all stakeholders on the details of its implementation

8. Plan and manage EPforR strategies, activities, financial expenditure and costed workplans in collaboration with Team Leader

9. Forecast potential risks associated with the programme and develop a detailed contingency plan to mitigate and manage risk

10. Ensure EP4R work and progress is being regularly communicate to all stakeholders through communication products to be designed with communication team.

Quality assurance: 

1. Review and quality assure key documents, including quarterly, annual (including the Government’s Annual EPforR Report), all strategies, foundational documents and quarterly deliverables and the written products of all technical experts and consultants hired to support the programme, including documents to be sent to IVT as part of the EP4R cycle.
2. Take responsibility for ensuring the QA processes are being implemented effectively at all levels.

Relationship management: 

1. In coordination with TL and DTL, build and maintain a positive relationship with FCDO ensuring pro-active communication channels are functioning effectively
2. In coordination with TL and DTL, engage in regular political engagement with key Government officials at national level, to support and maintain the will for change and reforms in education in Tanzania
3. In coordination with TL and DTL, ensure regular contact with key Government officials at management and operational levels to enhance communications and ensure knowledge sharing
4. In coordination with TL and DTL, engage regularly with all the financing DPs, providing them with briefing and advice regarding the implementation of EPforR and their agency-specific contributions, requirements, etc., as well as briefing other interested DPs as and when needed
5. Ensure the vision and strategies agreed with FCDO, Government partners and other financing DPs are implemented across the programme including EP4R at the national level and contribute to their dissemination and adoption at sub-national levels.

Learning and adaptability

1. Actively promote use of feedback from beneficiaries to guide implementation and practice by supporting the technical team to develop mechanisms for expert advice from the national and international evidence base and learning from the programme to feed into exit strategies and workplans
2. Ensure lesson learning, on-going measuring and monitoring of programme inputs and outcomes
3. Manage dissemination of programme best practice.

Candidate Specification

Skills

• Ability to work with Government officials across all levels.

• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure.

• Ability to work in a collaborative team setting.

• Proficient in using MS packages, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Strong organisational skills, reliability, and adherence to ethical standards.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Fluency in written and spoken English, Kiswahili preferred. A publication record in peer reviewed journals is an added advantage.

Experience

• More than 10 years’ experience in development work in education sector is essential.

• Experience in results-based financing programmes.

• Experience in the fields of child protection, inclusion and safeguarding.

• Experience in supervising short term sub consultants working to deliver programme goals.

Knowledge

• At least a Masters degree in Education, Business Administration. A PhD is an added advantage.

• Knowledge of Tanzanian education system.

• Knowledge of the MM safeguarding policies and procedures and those of donor and GoT.

Project Description

The UK aid funded Shule Bora programme aims to improve the quality of pre-primary and primary schools in Tanzania. The programme’ s Impact Statement is: Shule Bora will deliver improved quality, inclusiveness, and safety of learning for boys and girls. There are four outcomes:

1. Learning: All children* are learning in school.

2. Teaching: UKAID supports the strengthening of Tanzania’s teaching workforce.

3. Inclusion: All children are in schools that are safe, offer an environment conducive to learning and that this enables children to complete primary education and progress to secondary education.

4. Systems building: UKAID supports government in strengthening the value for money** of education provision at school, local and national level.

* The term ‘all children’ infers particular attention to the most disadvantaged: girls, the disabled and those living deprived areas **Value for money is defined as a composite of economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity

The programme:

1. Works with Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) and the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) to test, adapt and implement at scale quality, gender-transformative, disability-inclusive, and safe to learn education approaches in 9 regions, generating learning and evidence on how to achieve these outcomes affordably and at scale.

2. Supports GoT with the timely and effective implementation of the Programme for Results (PforR) mechanism through technical assistance and capacity building, with a strong focus on data verification, financial management and risk management. Supports lesson learning processes from PforR so that these can be embedded into government processes and shared with development partners and other key stakeholders. Ensures that lessons and best practice from (1) are used to inform PforR mechanism.

3. Manages and coordinates programme activities, with a strong focus on (i) ensuring a high-quality programme, financial and risk management oversight, (ii) working with an independent Learning and Evidence (L&E) provider on establishing regular, rigorous, and community-driven monitoring and evaluation activities, and (iii) developing and implementing a strategy for effective communication of Shule Bora objectives, results, and lessons learned to a range of target audiences.

We can offer (subject to Company’s policy):

– Agile and safe working environment

– Competitive annual leave and sick leaves

– Group incentive scheme

– Group term life insurance, Workmen’s compensation and Group medical insurance coverage

– Short and Long-term Global employment opportunities

– Global collaboration and knowledge sharing

– Digital Innovation and Transformation

 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

 

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.