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 30 EGRA Supervisors who will undergo training to equip them for the exercise. Five supervisors will be recruited for each of the local languages: Luganda (5), Runyankore/Rukiga (5), Runyoro/Rutooro (5), Lusoga (5), Leblango (5) and LebAcoli (5).

A supervisor will be responsible for guiding the assessors to adhere to set data collection procedures, packing materials for fieldwork, collecting data, and supporting the Data Quality Assurance Officer with the upload to the cloud. A supervisor will be expected to fill a school summary sheet for each of the schools visited and submit all assigned equipment in good working conditions at the end of data collection.

Supervisors will receive oversight from the assigned Data Quality Assurance Officer and the ICYD M&E Team.

The EGRA Supervisors will be contracted for a maximum period of 21 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

• Distribute tasks across assessors before and during each school visit, such as counting and organizing materials before and after arrival at the school;
• Ensure the team arrives on-time at each school before lessons start for the day with all the necessary materials and equipment;
• Introduce study team and explain the purpose of the visit to the Headteacher.
• Ensure that the sample of pupils to be assessed at each school is drawn following proper randomized procedure agreed upon during training; 
• Supervise the work of assessors during the assessment to guarantee friendly and professional treatment of pupils and correct application of instructions for each subtest;
• Ensure that every instrument administered is collected, in order and complete;
• Assist with the troubleshooting of the Tangerine application and ensure that assessors strictly adhere to the protocol. Also, ensure that the results of assessment are displayed on the results menu and serialized by order of assessment;
• Interview the Headteacher and P2 teacher of reading in a one-on-one session.
• Undertake school inventory and correctly complete the school field work visit summary;  
• Deliver all packages of instruments and signed consent forms collected from all schools assigned to your team to the Data Quality Assurance Officer every day without fail
• Maintain constant contact with the Data Quality Assurance Officer to resolve problems that arise and communicate work progress;
• Support the Data Quality Assurance Officer to ensure that all of the assessments are uploaded to the server;
• Deliver other materials assigned to your team that were used in the data collection exercise. These include tablets, chargers, fieldwork bags, etc. Final payment will only be based on safe delivery of these materials, while still in working condition.

Experience and Skills

The minimum qualifications are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Economics, Statistics or Education
• Previous experience as an EGRA Assessor preferred.
• Experience conducting assessments with children.
• Previous experience using electronic data collection software. 
• Previous experience leading data collection teams.
• 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.