Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.   

Project Description

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

This Activity will address the mutually reinforcing relationship between improving learning outcomes and improving wellbeing and employ a comprehensive approach that merges PEPFAR/Orphans and Vulnerable Children strategy’s strengths in acute vulnerability stabilization with education’s broad protective effects.

The ICYD Activity shall contend with five main tasks to achieve the three stated objectives. 1. Build on the recent USAID early grade reading (EGR) support to the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and target districts. 2. Address primary school retention through a combination of family, community and school-based interventions that address known critical drivers of school dropout. 3. Provide critical OVC services directly for up to two years while building the capacity of local partners to transition to prime awards with USAID/Uganda. 4. Provide technical assistance and coordination to OVC service providers in service delivery districts. 5. Deliver effective technical assistance and support to the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), the MoES and other public/private institutions and organizations to progressively transition OVC service delivery and education improvement from donor support.

Overview of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA)

Research the world over has shown that the ability to read is one of the most fundamental skills for learning, particularly at the early grades of primary education. The Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) measures key skills that are necessary for children to read fluently and comprehend text. They are tested based on research regarding a comprehensive approach to reading acquisition across languages. The test is conducted orally and one-on-one with pupils.

ICYD Cohort 2 Baseline

To capture data prior to launch of reading interventions in Cohort 2 Lusoga districts, ICYD will conduct a baseline reading assessment between February and March 2022. The baseline assessment will use the EGRA tool to measure reading levels and will test a representative sample of schools targeted by ICYD in Cohort 2 Lusoga districts (Iganga [Iganga Municipality], Kamuli [Kamuli Municipality], Bugweri, Bugiri, Jinja, Jinja City, Mayuge, and Namayingo). It is anticipated that the reading assessment will target pupils in P2. The data from this baseline will be used to measure progress over the project’s five-year period. The results of the baseline will be shared with USAID, the Ministry of Education and Sports and other donors working in education. The baseline assessment will consist of four critical instruments: 1) A standardized literacy test, based on key foundational skills that a child needs to master to be able to read fluently, and adapted to Lusoga; 2) Learner context tool; 3) Teacher interview; and 4) Headteacher interview.

Position Summary

ICYD will recruit 10 EGRA Assessors that will be responsible for collecting data for the baseline assessment in the Lusoga language zone. Assessors will undergo a training to equip them for the data collection exercise. They will be responsible for the standardized administration of the EGRA tools and survey instruments and will organize the assessment materials, ensure their security, and submit the materials to ICYD at the end of field work. The Assessors will follow the directions set out by the ICYD M&E Team. They will receive oversight from the assigned Supervisors, Data Quality Assurance Officer and the ICYD M&E Team.

The Assessors will be contracted for a maximum period of 21 working days (February - March 2022). All honoraria and expenses will be paid by ICYD.

** Please note that this is a local temporary position. Eligibility is limited to Ugandan nationals**

Responsibilities

• Administer the EGRA instrument to pupils objectively and in a technically correct and friendly manner;
• Interview the P2 teacher of reading. The assessor may be assigned by the supervisor to interview the P2 teacher in a one-on-one session;
• Behave and dress professionally;
• Check to ensure that all assessment have been stored on the tablets;
• Take very good care of the tablet assigned to you. Never leave the tablet unattended nor allow children to touch/play with the device. Aim to minimize distraction by sitting in a way that doesn’t allow the child to see the screen and ensure that your screen movements/taps are discreet;
• Ensure that the information in all completed EGRA instruments is clear, complete, and consistent, and give completed EGRA instruments and signed consent forms to your supervisor;
• Inform the supervisor of any problems or difficulties encountered during EGRA administration and help identify appropriate solutions;
• Follow the supervisor’s instructions according to the training received.

The minimum qualifications are:

• At a minimum, a diploma is required.
• Previous experience as an EGRA Assessor preferred.
• Experience conducting assessments with children in a nonthreatening manner. As the instrument is oral and individually administered, the quality and accuracy of the data depend largely on the ability of the enumerator to encourage and calm the learners to ensure they perform to the best of their abilities. False-negative results from learners who can perform well but who are nervous or fearful can be minimized with the right approach.
• Previous experience using electronic data collection software.  
• Fluency in English and Lusoga required.

Job closing date: February 16, 2022

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

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EDC is 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, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.