Expected fee: P-2
Location: Juba
Type of Contract: Temporary Assistance (TA)
Duration: 8 months
Start Date: September, 2011
Reporting to: Chief, Education Section
Background:
Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Republic of South Sudan has been developing systems and structures to stimulate the socio-economic development of the country. In education, significant progress has been made in increasing access, though many school age children are still out of school. Achieving the Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will require a more strategic thrust and huge capital outlays. South Sudan is a vast area with enormous natural resources and immense potential, and the development of education will be a major catalyst in the effort to utilise these resources.
The Republic of South Sudan (RoSS) has placed education relatively high on its development agenda, focusing on improving equitable access, quality and relevance. As is the case with other African countries with a similar history and context, socio-cultural, political and economic barriers constitute major threats to success, but education development will itself constitute one of the pillars of the peace building and development efforts.
UNICEF has since 2006 supported RoSS Ministry of Education (MoE) in developing an Education Management Information System (EMIS) for South Sudan. The education data is and has been providing information for a wide range of planning processes. Accurate and reliable data is needed to facilitate the planning and management of a fast growing and emerging education system. A responsive Education Management Information System (EMIS) is therefore pivotal.
Justification
The sustainable development of EMIS is a key UNICEF contribution to the systems strengthening in RoSS MoE. The institutionalization of EMIS requires a high degree of liaison with, and capacity building of, RoSS MoE staff. Follow-up on the deliverables of the UNICEF funded institutional contract to strengthen EMIS is also needed. The volume and the frequency of this assignment, requires a consultant for 8 months.
The other key result area is to strengthen the development as well as the monitoring and evaluation of the AWP, ensuring that the planning is evidence based. There is a need to build capacity for evidence based planning amongst education officers and ensure that officers know how to use EMIS data for planning.
Specific Tasks
Under the guidance of the Chief of Education, UNICEF South Sudan Country Office you will be responsible for monitoring, evaluating and giving technical advice to the Republic of South Sudan (RRoSSoSS) Ministry of Education (MoE) on the development of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) as well as being responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluation within the UNICEF Education Section.
Key tasks/responsibilities:
• Support MoE in developing a sustainable EMIS. This involves facilitating and advocating to strengthen the ministry’s role in implementing EMIS, as well as ensure capacity building to key staff in national and state ministries. • Selecting and compiling, and if necessary develop, EMIS related training and orientation materials for capacity building at all levels of MoE, including internally in UNICEF.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of UNICEF contractor working to support MoE in establishing a comprehensive and sustainable EMIS. Provide technical advise to contractor, and in cooperation with MoE write ToRs and provide strategic guidance to the EMIS programme ensuring that the full EMIS cycle is implemented and that quality data is provided. • Participate in field visit to States, selected counties & selected schools to monitor on-going EMIS trainings and data collection. Assess local conditions and resources, and monitor development and progress in EMIS at both national and state level. • Provide quantitative information needed for UNICEF Education Section programme activities and draft relevant sections of reports and funding proposals. Upon request provide quantitative educational information, as produced by EMIS, to stakeholders. This includes providing specific support to RoSS MoE to ensure that the Education Sector Plan is evidence based.
• Support education section annual work plan development and revision, ensuring the Annual Work plan (AWP) indicators, outputs and outcomes are SMART as well as being responsible for other monitoring and evaluation related tasks in the section. • Providing M&E related guidance for studies carried out by the education section and ensuring linkage with SPPME. • Provide analysis of recommendations provided by education section colleagues in section trip reports and liaise with SPPME for follow-up.
Methodology
- Regular meetings with the Chief of Education;
- Close working relationship with MoE, Director of Statistics and Evaluation and Director of Planning;
- Regular communication with Country and Field Office education staff, and office wide consultations;
- Regular meetings with EMIS unit.
- Liaise with donors on EMIS related issues.
Reporting
The incumbent will report to the Chief of Education Section.
Expected Background and Experience
• Advanced university degree, in Education, Statistics, Population Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences or a related technical field. • 3-5 years of experience in designing, managing, implementing and monitoring education programmes working with systems design and research applying SPSS or Microsoft Access in developing countries. Experience working in the area of capacity building, specifically with governments in post conflict settings, would be an added advantage. • Fluency in English and another UN language required. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset. • Computer literacy, particularly the usage of excel and statistical packages (e.g Access and SPSS) for analysing and processing and managing statistical information. • Experience in government capacity development as well as development of training manuals • Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, to varied audiences. • Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment • Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals. • Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives. • Able to work independently, identifies challenges and acts promptly to tackle them. • Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources. • Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics
- The TA will be stationed in Juba, South Sudan Country Office with frequent travel to states;
- In addition to the fee, the TA will include a DSA component for any officially approved missions and travels outside of his/her duty station;
- A furnished office and day-to-day logistical support;
Please send your Application and Cv to jubavacancies@unicef.org
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