Education Development Center (EDC) is a global non-profit 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.    

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.  

Project Description

The goal of the 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 can make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

The ICYD Activity promotes improved coordination and collaboration across sectors and other USAID-supported programs. In addition, the Activity aims to strengthen systems for better communication and planning at national, district, and municipal levels of government and between government and non-governmental institutions that serve children and youth. The Activity works in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), the District Local Government, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), and School Foundation Bodies at district, regional and national levels, cultural institutions, communities, parents and other key stakeholders.

Position Description

Overview of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA)

Research 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 Endline EGRA

To capture data to assess changes in learners’ reading abilities, ICYD will conduct an end line reading assessment from February to March 2024. The assessment will be conducted with Primary two learners selected from a representative sample of schools targeted by ICYD in Luganda, Runyankore/Rukiga, Runyoro/Rutooro, Lusoga, Leblango and LebAcoli speaking districts. Data from this endline will be used to ascertain if there have been any improvements in children’s reading abilities as a result of the Early Grade Reading interventions implemented by ICYD. The results of the baseline will be shared with USAID, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and other donors working in education. The endline 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, 2) Learner context tool; 3) Teacher interview; and 4) Headteacher interview.

Position Summary

ICYD will recruit a total of six (6) Data Quality Assurance Officers (one officer per local language as follows: Luganda (1), Runyankore/Rukiga (1), Runyoro/Rutooro (1), Lusoga (1), Leblango (1) and LebAcoli (1).  

A Data Quality Assurance officer will be responsible for planning and facilitating training of supervisors and assessors, guiding field teams during data collection to adhere to the set procedures, daily upload of data collected, ensuring security of the equipment assigned to the team, and preparation and submission of a fieldwork report.

The Data Quality Assurance Officers will be contracted for a maximum period of 25 working days (February - March 2024). 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

• Participate in the planning meeting to review EGRA data collection tools;
• Provide active leadership and participation in assessor training, including preparation and recording of gold standards to be used during IRRs and uploading of tools on to the tablets for all teams;
• Ensure that with the help of supervisors, all teams have necessary supplies and equipment needed to undertake both electronic and paper data collection;
• Organize transport for each team to get to the school before lessons start for the day.  Program hired vehicles will be available for this purpose; 
• Ensure that data is collected in a standard fashion by making routine spot checks/team audits to ensure that the teams are in their assigned areas and that the sampled respondents are actually the people who are being interviewed;
• Complete “assessor observation checklist” for each assessor once during the first week of field work, then sporadically after that.
• Quickly communicate any problems arising to the ICYD M&E team; 
• Routinely check assessments for completeness and errors.
• Provide guidance to the teams using the compiled data reports from the quality checks 
• Participate in team daily debrief sessions.
  • Collect the tablets, ensure that they are in good working order, and they are charged for the next day’s field work
  • Count and review the material used during the day and see what needs to be replenished,
  • Review progress made on the routes assigned and if necessary, restructure according to needs,
• Collect all completed consent forms and UPLOAD all data onto the cloud;

Experience and Skills

The minimum qualifications are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Economics, Statistics or Education
• Previous experience facilitating EGRA or other data collection trainings.
• Previous experience as an EGRA Supervisor preferred.
• Other research experience with public and/or private education preferred.
• Experience managing diverse teams of data collectors/assessors.
• Previous experience using electronic data collection software.  
• Fluency in English and one of the local languages: Luganda, Runyankore-Rukiga, Runyoro-Rutooro, Lusoga, Leblango, or LebAcoli required. Please indicate language fluency in your application. Applications that do not indicator language fluency will be disqualified.

Application Instructions

Job closing date: January 02, 2024

To apply, Applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers Page: https://go.edc.org/UgandaPostings

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.

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.