Project Management Specialist job at USAID | Apply Now

Program Management – 50 %

• The Specialist oversees implementation of basic education activities and provides leadership and expert guidance to the Senior Basic Education Specialist to improve basic education services in Uganda. The BES works with GOU counterparts and education development partners to ensure that USAID/Uganda’s basic education portfolio is aligned with USAID and GOU objectives. Specifically:

• Serves as AOR/COR, Alternate, or Activity Manager for activities in the EYCD portfolio, providing technical guidance and oversight to implementing partners. Advises on workplans and other required reporting and strategic documents to ensure that activities achieve desired results.

• Supports the design and implementation of basic education programs and activities with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals.

• Works with the basic education team and EYCD Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist to develop MEL plans for basic education and other EYCD activities and contributes to data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Supports learning and adaptation by conducting regular monitoring and evaluation of basic education activities.

• Contributes to USAID planning and reporting at various points in the project cycle and supports the implementation of USAID/Uganda’s CDCS.

• Ensures basic education activities achieve planned results by documenting successes and challenges and resolving implementation issues in an efficient and professional manner.

Program Policy Guidance (25%)

• The Specialist provides EYCD and USAID/Uganda with expert guidance on education sector reform, education sector financing, and education administration. Specifically:

• Works closely with the EYCD Senior Basic Education Specialist to develop strategies for education sector support and engagement in Uganda. Provides input based on activity monitoring and field work, as well as document review and consultation with the GOU and the wider donor community.

• Works closely with colleagues outside of basic education to ensure that, when appropriate, cross-sectoral linkages are made, maintained, and evaluated, in furtherance of EYCD’s commitment to address the needs of “the whole person” in programming and strategy.

• Advises the EYCD team on Ugandan education sector policy and results of education activities to inform program design and development of strategy papers and reporting documents.

• Supports the basic education team to analyze and disseminate information on challenges and accomplishments in the education sector in Uganda to USAID mission staff, USAID/Washington, and Uganda stakeholders.

Representation to the Government of Uganda, Other Donors, and Stakeholders (25%)

• The Specialist establishes and maintains strong collaborative relationships with GOU counterparts, education development partners, and other key stakeholders within the sector. The BES will work in tandem with the Senior Basic Education Specialist to ensure that USAID programs and priorities are consistently and accurately represented in various education sector forums. Specifically:

• Provides briefings to USAID, other USG agencies, the GOU, and education partners on USAID’s basic education portfolio and USG education policies and strategies.

• Develops, maintains, and strengthens working relationships with partners, including GOU, education development partners, private sector, and other education sector stakeholders to provide information on USAID programs and to identify synergies across programs and partners.

• Provides technical input to program and strategy design and planning based on knowledge of international best practice and Uganda-specific constraints and opportunities.

• Provides support in defining the type of assistance needed by the Mission and facilitates discussions with basic education implementing partners to ensure effective delivery of planned activities and results.