JOB DETAILS:
Description
World Education, a division of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (WE/JSI) is dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world through greater health, education and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause.
JSI/WE is seeking for a Policy, Research and CLA Advisor for USAID’s Targeting the Learning Crisis (TLC) Activity in Uganda, which aims to create sustained, measurable improvements in development outcomes in Basic Education through Targeted Instruction for foundational skills, a learner-centric pedagogy that reorganizes math and reading instruction based on children’s actual learning levels, rather than on the prescribed grade-level syllabus. The Activity seeks to implement cost-effective, sustainable, and impactful programming, centered around Targeted Instruction pedagogy for P3-P5, Targeted Instruction and other evidence-based approaches for P1-P2, and evidence-based early childhood education for pre-primary years, in order to significantly improve math and reading learning outcomes for Ugandan primary students.

The Policy, Research and CLA Advisor is a full time position based in Kampala and reports to the MEL Director. S/he will be responsible for supporting policy advocacy, research, development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and strategies to address education challenges and barriers to achieving equitable access to high quality education services and sustainable improvement in education outcomes. The Policy, Research and CLA Advisor will work with TLC partners including the government, private not-for-profit organizations, private for-profit entities, and development partners to help create effective evidence-based policies that meet national and organizational goals, solve challenges, and advance transformation of the education sector to achieve national goals and global commitments. The responsibility involves collaborating with stakeholders, conducting analysis, forecasting resource requirements, and ensuring alignment of policies and strategies with legal frameworks and education needs.

The Policy, Research and CLA Advisor will be essential to help shape the development and strengthening of education systems that are resilient and address evolving education needs, helping government and other partners better respond to current and future education challenges.

The Policy, Research and CLA Advisor will lead learning, knowledge management, and adaptive programming activities under the project and facilitate strong CLA management practices for TLC Activity and its implementing partners

Responsibilities
Research and analysis
• Analysis of education system and education data, case studies and stakeholder feedback to understand education system challenges and context
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of existing education related policies, practices, regulations, and guidelines, and identify areas for improvement.

• Conduct targeted research on the effectiveness and impact of education and learning interventions to inform TLC evidence-based decision-making.
• Review and evaluate the education systems related policies, regulations and guidelines and help to identify areas for strengthening the system and appropriate intersection with TLC’s work.
• Lead the development of key policy briefs, recommendations, position papers and scientific publication on relevant policy issues in the country.

Policy Development
• Collaborate with MoES and other stakeholders in identifying key policy issues/challenges in the education sector and support in conducting research and generating evidence that will inform policy decisions.
• Support the MoES and other stakeholders to draft policy recommendations, reports, and strategy documents to address identified issues in education system strengthening and/or education in country context.

• Collaborate with government counterparts, partners, experts, stakeholders, and communities to develop realistic and implementable policy solutions
• Help ensure policies are aligned with relevant regulations, national realities, and priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement
• Attend government technical working group (TWG) and other policy level engagement meetings on behalf of TLC Activity
• Work with government, education leaders, and private sector representatives to gather input and build consensus on education system needs for urgent action

• Convene and participate in relevant forums for dialogue and public engagement to understand diverse education policy and systems perspectives and needs
• Support country efforts and priorities in education investments, evaluation and advocacy with specific attention to adaptation and resilience, education system and workforce strengthening.
• Communicate policy goals, potential impacts, and benefits to foster support and understanding.

Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA)
• Develop effective processes to serve as a knowledge broker to link and “translate” between program staff, partners, and M&E teams to produce and utilize program data to identify technical knowledge gaps, performance and quality issues in implementation, or evidence gaps in the theory of change.
• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s learning agenda and coordinate with key stakeholders – including the MoES, civil society, the private sector, USAID, and other donors and development projects – to disseminate the project’s best practices and lessons learned.

• Lead in the dissemination of information on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned, and other project results to local, national, and regional-level, donors, partners and other stakeholders
• Lead learning, knowledge management, and adaptive programming activities.
• Facilitate strong CLA management practices for TLC Activity and its partners throughout the program cycle.

• Assist in identifying and responding to key learning issues, coordinate efforts among implementing partners, and serve as a convener for dialogue and learning around emerging issues.
• Support a TLC Activity learning plan that outlines key learning questions and stakeholders and their roles.
• Support strategic communications, including producing publications and organizing public events with partners and other stakeholders.

• Support a culture of CLA among the project and its partners.
• Facilitate processes and workshops and CLA among implementing partners and other stakeholders and help develop plans for program adaptation; establish a network of key stakeholders and organize periodic learning events.
• Design and implement effective mechanisms and tools for learning including joint program reviews, pause-and-reflect sessions, after-action reviews, documentation and dissemination, knowledge exchange, mentorship, and accompaniment to facilitate knowledge uptake and applied learning.
• Foster a culture of learning and evidence-based decision-making through systematic inquiry, analysis, and data-driven quality improvement.

Communication and advocacy
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and engagement for education workforce support
• Present research findings, policy proposals, and recommendations to government officials, boards, or other decision-makers
• Work with the Communications Specialist to disseminate research findings and produce advocacy materials for TLC audiences.
• Advocate for policy adoption by highlighting benefits and actions to achieve a well performing education system and/or critical investments in education.

Other
• Ensure that in of line of duty, S/He is aware of child safeguarding principles and guidelines and apply it in your day-to-day roles as you interact with communities and children.
• Ensure promotion of safe child practices and mitigation, prevention and reporting of violations of children to ensure compliance; and
• Perform any other tasks required for the needs of the project as assigned by the supervisor or designee.

Qualifications
• A Master’s degree in a field related to education, organizational development, international development, political science, or a related field.
• Minimum ten years of demonstrated experience in strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation; education and policy research; project design; event facilitation; and knowledge management.
• Familiarity with USAID’s collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach, including using MEL activities and adaptive management approaches to inform and improve project implementation.
• A deep understanding of Uganda Education systems, challenges, and opportunities in respective countries
• Adaptability and resilience to be able to navigate evolving ECCE and Basic Education challenges and shifting priorities
• Demonstrable experience in working with diverse partners and stakeholders including government, private-for-profit sector, private-not-for profit sector, Civil Society, and development partners
• Demonstrable skills and experience in project management
• Demonstrable experience in research design, execution, data analysis, documentation, and dissemination of findings to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with universities and other research institutions in conducting action research on policy and education strongly desired
• Critical thinking skills to be able to assess complex problems and develop comprehensive policy options and strategies
• Proven ability to synthesize, summarize and present complex information in a simple and user-friendly way for non-M&E audiences.
• Good communication and report writing skills including effective response and prioritization of tasks.
• Experience working with USAID-funded programs is highly preferred.
• Professional proficiency (verbal and written) in English.