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The main goal of the USAID Improved Learning Outcomes in Primary Education (SABER) activity will be to improve the reading and math skills of Mozambican children, using a bilingual model. The project will support the Government of the Republic of Mozambique’s (GRM) efforts to improve the quality of education in Mozambique. USAID SABER responds to the Ministry of Education and Human Development’s (MINEDH) education sector strategic needs and ensures sustained impact and cost-effective implementation, adopting a local-based model which effectively collaborates and ensures capacity development and transfer of responsibilities to local government institutions for sustainability and continuity, while maintaining effective partnership and consultations with MINEDH’s central institutions.

SABER will build on USAID Mozambique’s evidence and results under the current USAID-supported Vamos Ler (VL) program and use lessons learned to further improve early grade reading outcomes in Mozambique, targeting mostly rural communities via bilingual education. USAID SABER will utilize the grade 3 primary bilingual students supported by the USAID VL program to help bilingual students complete the primary education cycle to grade 6, where classroom instruction will become monolingual and only in Portuguese. Following MINEDH’s bilingual education strategy, USAID SABER will benefit children from rural disadvantaged communities, particularly girls, who do not yet speak Portuguese. USAID SABER will provide services ensuring that teachers and school administrators prioritize and improve student learning. Innovative approaches will be particularly encouraged for effective learning results.  

Position Description

The Chief of Party (COP) provides overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the activity and serves as the primary liaison with USAID/Mozambique on management and technical matters. They will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the activity and report directly to the designated USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COP shall supervise activity implementation and ensure the activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and MINEDH institutions and departments as well as other key stakeholders, including USAID implementing partners, UNICEF, GPE, Canada, Germany, Finland, and other implementing partners participating in the FASE pooled fund.

The COP position requires political savvy, as they will interact with numerous GRM institutions and senior-level national, provincial and district-level government officials. The COP will have demonstrated ability to work in complex, politically charged environments, work across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines

The candidate for the position of Chief of Party shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

M.A. degree (PhD preferred) in education planning, public policy, management and administration, social science or related and relevant field. A focus on education policy change implementation, program/project management, curriculum, bilingual education or early grade reading is preferred.

Skills and Experience:

• At least 15 years of experience (including at least 10 of these years in a management/leadership position) in relevant management, supervisory, technical experience working with programs that are of a similar scope and scale to this project;
• At least ten years’ experience in the education sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is desired, preferably with experience in Southern or Eastern sub-Saharan Africa or Mozambique;
• Prior experience leading USAID-funded projects and strong knowledge of USAID rules and regulations;
• Program/project management experience working with rural, ethno-linguistic underserved populations is required;
• Ample experience in project design, policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation, education reform and national-level quality improvement and classroom reforms is required;
• Technical expertise or experience in inclusive and gender responsive pedagogy; distance learning, including interactive radio instruction; ICT use or teacher professional development;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of capacity building in education sector; and
• Experience managing evidence-based early grade reading programming preferred.

Language:

Fluency in English and professional proficiency in written and spoken Portuguese are required. Working knowledge of a Mozambican language or other Bantu language is preferred, but not required.

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.