Job Description
Literacy Data Use Specialist, USAID-Rwanda Schools and Systems Activity
FHI 360 is a global development organization, with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Our team of professionals includes experts in education, health, nutrition, economic development, civil society, environment, and research. FHI 360 operates from over 60 offices with more than 4000 employees in the United States and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at all levels and our multi-disciplinary approach allows us to have a lasting impact on the people, communities, and countries we serve by improving the lives of millions. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Literacy Data Use Specialist for the Schools and Systems (S&S) USAID-funded project in Rwanda.
Project Description
The Rwanda Schools and Systems activity will strengthen the education system to enable all pre-primary and lower primary school and classroom environments to be of high quality, inclusive, and focused on learning of foundational reading skills. Specifically, the five-year activity will improve learning outcomes by focusing on increasing Kinyarwanda literacy skills of boys and girls through primary 3 (P3) through four intermediate results: (1) Pre-primary education system enhanced to develop, promote and improve emergent literacy, (2) Lower primary reading classroom instruction improved, (3) School environments improved for increased lower primary reading outcomes, and (4) Education management systems strengthened for improved literacy outcomes. S&S will include a focus on learning for children with disabilities to ensure project approaches reach all children.
Position Description
The Literacy Data Use Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Systems Strengthening/Results 4 Lead to support the project’s efforts to build the capacity of Ministry of Education (Rwanda Basic Education Board/REB and the National Examination and School Inspection Authority/NESA) in taking on independent management of the Local Early Grade Reading Assessment (LEGRA) data system and using it systematically with other sources of data to make system-wide decisions. This includes decisions that apply at the national level as well as making changes and targeting support for district, sector, and school levels for improving reading instruction and literacy learning outcomes for all students.
Job Summary/Responsibilities
- Work closely with NESA, with the possibility of being located partly or fully within NESA for a period of time to be decided, to provide direct support to NESA for management of the LEGRA data collection and data visualization systems (back-end technology, data cleaning, data management, data analysis, etc.)
- Support NESA to fully institutionalize LEGRA tools and processes over the life of the S&S project, including gap analysis and support to needs in relation to all aspects of LEGRA (budgeting, planning, technical capacity strengthening, definition of roles, etc.)
- Support NESA with other databases supporting literacy-related functions as prioritized in work planning by S&S and NESA (such as TMIS and CA-MIS)
- Connect NESA with relevant S&S expertise as well as seeking out other support as needed, to assure NESA has the capacity to sustainably manage the LEGRA system
- Work with NESA to review LEGRA data collection events to determine successes and needs, gaps or challenges for implementation at national, district, sector, and school levels, and to continually improve LEGRA planning and implementation processes
- Support NESA/REB coordination on LEGRA data visualization and use, as well as supporting NESA as needed in responding to needs expressed by external entities for LEGRA data (Rwandan govt and NGOs and development partners)
- Coordinate the delivery of technical assistance to REB and NESA designed to improve their capacity to use reading assessment data to make system-wide decisions to improve reading instruction and outcomes for all students in lower primary.
- Support S&S efforts to promote lower primary teachers’ use of evidence-based and inclusive literacy pedagogy, and remedial reading instruction as informed by LEGRA data
Required Skills and Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform the principal duties.
- Bachelor’s degree or Master’s in database management, computer science, research, and evaluation or education assessment and evaluation
- At least 3 years of experience managing systems of data collection analysis, visualization, and data-driven decision making
- Proven capacity to work with Rwandan government counterparts
- Strong understanding of Rwandan education system preferred
- Demonstrated experience/ proficiency in programming/ statistical analysis
- Expertise in data management, data analysis, and ability to navigate across different databases (data structures and software)
- Expertise in data process modeling
- Experience with literacy data collection EGRA/LEGRA or other preferred
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Supervision:
The Literacy Data Use Specialist will support the Systems Strengthening/Results 4 Lead in delivering technical assistance to develop REB and NESA’s capacity to manage, analyze, interpret and utilize data in making system-wide decisions to improve reading instruction and learning outcomes for all lower primary students. As teamwork is crucial to the success of the project, the Literacy Data Use Specialist will be expected to closely coordinate with other project staff, as per direction from the Systems Strengthening/Results 4 Lead and the Senior Technical Advisor.
Location of Assignment:
The location of the assignment is Kigali, Rwanda with intermittent travel throughout the country.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are subject to modification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.
This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
We offer competitive compensation and a package of exceptional benefits. Please visit the FHI 360 Career Center at http://www.fhi360.org/careers for a list of all open positions.
FHI 360 is an employer with equal opportunity and affirmative action. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status in policies, programs, or activities.
The deadline: November 23rd, 2021.
