JOB DETAILS:

Edukans International Uganda will be implementing the Leaders in Teaching program supported by Mastercard Foundation in a consortium led by Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF). Leaders in Teaching (LIT) initiative aims to transform secondary education across Africa by strengthening the capacity of teachers and school leaders to enable young people to acquire skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to gain dignified and fulfilling employment. Working through a multi-partner (incl. British Council, STIR Uganda, VVOB, PEAS, FENU, alongside Teach For Uganda (TAU) and Brain Wave). Implementation model, LIT is a holistic approach aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning by addressing critical challenges across the teacher lifecycle, focusing on four key programmatic pillars: (1) Teacher Recruitment, (2) Teacher Training, (3) Education Leadership and Management, and (4) Teacher Motivation.

Responsible Staff directly reporting to this post: Education Project Officers, Gender in Education Specialist, M&E officer, Project Accountant

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1. Programme Management Implementation

• Lead the preparation and implementation of the LIT programme based work plans, M&E indicators in accordance with Edukans and donor guidelines to ensure and guarantee effective programme activities delivery.
• Monitor and oversee the day to day implementation of the programmes to ensure compliance with the agreed work plans and that programme objectives and targets are being realised in line with the funding proposals.
• Conduct regular programme review meetings with the relevant partners and stakeholders to enhance information sharing and improve efficiency and effectiveness of programme implementation and operations.
• Initiate and develop alternative mechanisms for optimal implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities.
• Maintain high standard of transparency and accountability in the course of programme implementation while ensuring integrity and timeliness of activities implementation in meeting programme objectives, compliance with donors & Edukans’ policies.
• Provision of regular operations and implementation updates on programme progress and challenges to allow for timely interventions and corrective actions by
• Ensure the timely reviews and adjustments for the programme operational and implementation plans and budgets as may be required from time to time.

2. Programme and Financial Reporting.

• Responsible and accountable for the preparation of timely and high quality progress and end of project narrative and financial reports which are in accordance to the donor reporting schedule and formats.
• Review all programme financial reports ensuring that donor guidelines have been followed and high standard met, prior to submission to management.
• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly follow ups and progress review meetings together with the Program Implementation Unit and other consortium members to address key performance issues from the reports.
• Participate in programme close out reports indicating follow up actions on closed projects and manage the transfers of project deliverables such as documents, files, equipment and materials.

3. Budgeting and Financial Management

• The jobholder is responsible for the programme budgetary controls and overall financial management at the programme levels including maintaining oversights of programme budgets and expenses. This responsibility includes;
• Responsible for monitoring and revising as necessary project budgets and ensuring that funds are used optimally and accounted for in accordance to the funding contracts and agreements.
• Undertaking quarterly budget monitoring in order to ensure accuracy of financial reports, manage budget variances, explain variances and propose measures for managing the variances.
• On quarterly basis, review all programme budgets to ensure that budgets are revised and rephrase timely and spent within donors budgets and expenditure guidelines and no-cost extensions/cost extensions are timely requested for.
• Ensure that all financial policies and regulations relating to cash flow management, expenditure controls, cash management, accounting information, advances management as put in place for the management and control of funds are followed by the staff and partners in implementing the different programme activities.
• Support partners and staff in making decisions regarding budget allocations and utilizations and alerting management to any financial mismanagement which may arise in the course of programme implementation.

4. Partnership Development and Management
In addition to the other requirements, the job holder will take lead in engaging with different partners that have the ability to increase the scale and scope of Edukans’ programme work and impact including building their capacity for efficient and effective programme delivery and adherence to Edukans’ policies and donor regulations. This responsibility shall include;

• Develop with the partners detailed work plans and budgets to cover and implement a selected programme.
• Monitor and follow up the implementation of the agreed work plan and budget to ensure that the programme objectives are being realized in accordance to the programme and partnership agreement and take the necessary actions for any identified deviations.
• Undertaking partners’ capacity assessment in order to identify capacity gaps and areas of support that the partners will require for effective implementation of the programme.
• Undertake frequent support visits to the partners organizations to discuss programme and operational progress and ways in which Edukans can provide the needed support.

5. Project Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation:

• Oversee the project monitoring to ensure information and reporting systems fulfil needs the LIT programme, Edukans, the teacher training institutions, other partners and other education stakeholders.
• Working in collaboration with PIU, the TRAIN lead partner, Edukans Global M&E Specialist, Education programme developer, and the M&E manager to ensure that the project has developed and implemented M&E plans, and that the project teams are capturing outcomes/results for on which the programme is built.
• Contribute to the process of developing project baselines and evaluations ToRs, 3 months before the date of effective implementation.
• Regularly monitor project activities with the frequency and tools as reflected in the M&E plans
• Provide backup and direct technical support to all staffs and partners.
• Monitor and follow up the Project Partner’s on the activities implemented to ensure that they are in line with the project design and planned project activities reflected in the SAA.
• Support proper documentation of LIT programme activities conducted –case studies, best practices and Compile and submit regular progress reports on the planned implementation activities to Line Manager.
• Facilitate effective monitoring, evaluation, documentation and reporting in line with agreed project targets and standards:
• Establish a functional project level M&E system and utilize information from the M&E database;
• Manage project information, documentation processes, and ensure effective communication of the program/project results.
• Provide monthly reports (progress against planned activities, expense against estimated budget) of project activities to the TRAIN Pillar lead and the PIU as per agreed schedule.
• Ensure appropriate filing and availability of documentation required for internal and external communications, accountability, audits, evaluation purposes and reporting
• Supervise on-going program assessments, evaluation and operational research studies, and take lead in utilizing the recommendations to improve programming.
• Document vital project documents including fund summary, project proposal, M&E plan, monthly, semi-annual and annual reports, reports on activities implemented (approved concept, activity report and attendance lists)

6. Human Resources Management and Development:

• Support LIT programme team members professionally and support stress management.
• Encourage the culture and practice of learning, creativity and innovation amongst the team members.
• Maintain good team communication, engender good team dynamics and take remedial actions when problems occur.

Representation

• Establish, maintain and improve active and regular working relationships and take the lead role in representing Edukans in the LIT Consortium meetings, government authorities, donors etc who are working closely with the programme. This shall entail developing and maintaining strong working relationship with the TRAIN Pillar lead, working across the Pillars and PIU, the teacher training institutions, Technical departments relevant to Edukans programme themes as well as attending all relevant regular meetings called by MoES, the Consortium lead, other stakeholders, and Government Forums.
• Lead the effort to improve active coordination and networking with government agencies, other NGOs, and other stakeholders with the aim of building and maintaining a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIORS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability: Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency.

Occasional duties
Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Judgement and Decision-Making

• The jobholder has a senior level of decision-making authority and is authorised to make decisions/take actions on the majority of programme and operational management matters relating to their specific programme and portfolio.
• Strategic decisions (operational issues, policy/procedural changes, budget approvals, disciplinary issues, financial decisions outside the budget etc) require consultation with the line manager and other relevant staff as may be appropriate.

Academic Background, Experience and Person Specifications:
Desirable qualification: Relevant degree/ Master’s degree in an education and/or any related field. A minimum of a Bachelors Degree in an education Post Graduate training in Project Management; 10 years progressive experience in programme implementation, management and development; Demonstrable financial, planning and Multi-million budget management skills a MUST.