Innovations For Poverty Action: Regional Coordinator

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), a locally registered NGO specializes in helping partners coordinate high quality evaluations of impacts of development projects.

Job Description

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Teacher Community Assistant Initiative (TCAI) Regional Coordinator. The TCAI is a project conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Education Services (GES), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Youth Employment Program (NYEP) and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) to improve the quality of education in Ghana by providing teachers in P1-P3 with assistants who will be in charge of teaching the basic skills to the lowest performing students, and will be trained specifically for this purpose. The impact of this project is going to be rigorously evaluated by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab and Innovations for Poverty Action (www.povertyactionlab.org and www.poverty-action.org).

The TCAI Regional Coordinator will be part of a team of four Regional Coordinators. Each Regional Coordinator will be in charge of providing overall management support for the implementation of the TCAI, in one zone of the country comprising of about 11 Districts and 100 schools. The position will include a variety of activities and responsibilities, ranging from overseeing the logistics of the Initiative, coordinating with implementing actors on the ground, participating in the training of Teachers and Assistants, to monitoring the quality of the Initiative Implementation.

The Regional Coordinator will be based in one of the four zones of the country, and report to the TCAI National Coordinator. The Regional Coordinator will be expected to travel at least 70% of the time to oversee the TCAI activities across Ghana.
The role provides a unique opportunity to gain management experience, to participate in a new initiative that aims to improve the quality of education in Ghana, while also being closely involved in a cutting-edge research project.

The position will include a variety of activities and responsibilities:

Ranging from overseeing the logistics of the Initiative, coordinating with implementing actors on the ground, participating in the training of Teachers and Assistants, to monitoring the quality of the Initiative Implementation.
The Regional Coordinator will be based in one of the four zones of the country, and report to the TCAI National Coordinator. The Regional Coordinator will be expected to travel at least 70% of the time to oversee the TCAI activities across Ghana.
The role provides a unique opportunity to gain management experience, to participate in a new initiative that aims to improve the quality of education in Ghana, while also being closely involved in a cutting-edge research project.

Specific responsibilities will include:
Continuously assist the TCAI National Coordinator and the project stakeholders in the development and management of the overall Initiative
Provide logistical support and assistance to the TCAI National Coordinator
Travel to India for an exposure trip to Pratham
Assist in finalizing the Assistants’ recruitment and deployment logistics and timeline
Assist in finalizing the logistics and timeline for distributing materials to the Assistants
Oversee and audit the Assistants’ recruitment
In collaboration with the GES Districts Directors, finalize the timeline and logistics for the training of Assistants and of Teachers
Oversee and audit the implementation of the Training of Assistants
Oversee and audit the Assistants’ deployment
Oversee and audit the materials distribution process
Oversee and audit the supervision and monitoring process
Continuously monitor the intervention and ensure that the monitoring process is well implemented
Regularly visit District Representatives and collect their feedback on the Initiative implementation
Assist in preparing a report on the second phase of the logistics pilot, i.e describe the implementation pilot, challenges encountered, and suggest necessary changes in implementation
Ensure that the implementation on the ground is aligned with initial implementation plans, and with the evaluation research design

Required Skills or Experience

Qualifications and Experience:

A Bachelors or Masters’ Degree in education, administration, economics, public policy, social sciences, or related fields
Experience in the education field (at least 3 years), preferably in Ghana
Some teaching experience
Management experience (at least 3 years), preferably in Ghana
Excellent organizational skills
Experience setting up administrative and financial management processes
Flexibility, self-motivation, team spirit and an ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies and to work independently
Fluency in English, excellent writing and communication skills
Knowledge of at least one Ghanaian local language
Exceptional attention to detail
Willingness to travel frequently in remote areas
Ability and willingness to work effectively in cross-cultural environments
Excellent knowledge of Excel
Some experience designing curriculum programs and teacher training programs preferred
Some experience working for, or in partnership with the Government of Ghana, preferred
The commitment sought for this position is a minimum of two years. The position will start in October 2010.

How To Apply

Interested Applicants should send their cv, cover letter and references to:

[email protected].

Subject line – ATTN: TCAI Regional Coordinator – IPA Ghana
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Offer valid till 2nd October 2010