Mongu, Zambia
Full-time
Company Description
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. 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 USAID Let’s Read Zambia project is a 6-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ending on January 6th 2025 and implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC). USAID Let’s Read Zambia works to improve reading outcomes for children attending pre-primary (kindergarten) through to Grades 3 and provide professional development for teachers to support reading interventions in Zambian public and community schools.

Job Description
The Provincial Office Manager is a short term contract going up to September 30th 2024. The position will be based in Mongu, Western Province, and will ensure effective implementation of all technical components of the project at the provincial level), establishing strong relationships with provincial education and other relevant stakeholders, and working closely with District Resource Center Coordinators (DRCCs), Zonal Inset Coordinators (ZICs), and Head Teachers to ensure coaching of teachers around literacy, and with Provincial Education Officer (PEO) office staff in support of the same.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

General:

Clearly articulate the realigned USAID Let’s Read Project activity to MoE provincial and district staff, and field project staff
Supervise and provide mentoring and support to, the members of the provincial staff team
Provide general oversight of the implementation of all activities at the provincial and district level and supervise provincial team staff
Work closely with the provincial and district education offices and coordinate all project activities
Abide by EDC policies and procedures

Technical:

Provide leadership in Planning, Implementing and Reporting of project activities
Serve technically in any of the following technical areas: teacher professional development or monitoring and evaluation
Facilitate ongoing technical discussions with the Provincial, District and Zonal Education Offices
Direct the implementation and ensure compliance, quality assurance, coordination, integration, and, where applicable, sustainability of program activities at the Provincial and District levels
Work closely with other Let’s Read teams in admin/finance and ME&L to ensure smooth, compliant, and timely activity implementation
Supervise and coordinate data collection for project indicators and prepare reports
Contribute to the design and/or completion of technical resources by serving as resource person, workshop facilitator, technical writer, or lead documenter (as may be assigned)
Facilitate cross-cutting issues by engaging in facilitation of policy discussions
Provide timely inputs to periodic project reports and Outreach and Communications activities, as appropriate

Administrative/Management:

Proactively assist in problem-solving/troubleshooting program delivery issues as they arise, in close coordination with other project staff
Prepare and maintain quarterly activity plans aligned with approved work plans in coordination with team
Maintain all project information (program, M&E and finance)
Serve as the signatory for province specific project bank account and take responsibility for withdrawals of funds and managing expenses
Provide regular and timely updates on the status of work plan implementation, identify potential issues, and recommend relevant actions to Senior Leadership team in Lusaka
Review and approve all Provincial Office finance and accounting documents in line with EDC and USAID policies and procedures
Review the budget for Provincial Office operations and monitor expenditures in collaboration with the Finance and Compliance Director
Oversee the management of Provincial Office inventory to ensure all inventory listings are accurate and up to date as per USAID and EDC guidelines
Supervise the management of Provincial Office administration, ensuring that all vendor leases are monitored, tracked and obligations paid on time
Collaborate with the Finance and Compliance Director to ensure that all vendors are paid on time
Work with the Administration and Finance Officer(AFO) and other technical personnel to ensure there is coherence in project implementation
Ensure that all project documentation are audit ready
Support and help to direct project closeout duties for the Mongu office, as requested
Other duties, as assigned.

Reporting and Organizational Relationships:

The Provincial Manager reports to the Deputy Chief of Party.

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in education or related field.

Skills and Experience:

A minimum of eight years’ professional experience in development projects;

A minimum of 4 years’ demonstrated experience managing education programs is strongly preferred;

Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, actors, and other stakeholders at the national and state levels;

Knowledge of/experience with USAID-funded projects;

Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with teams;

Excellent people skills at all levels, ability to work well under pressure, negotiate diplomatically, and the ability to work well in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment

Working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel and preparing effective presentations and reports;

Ability to travel throughout the province assigned.

Demonstrated capacity to lead workshops, trainings, and strategic planning sessions; and

Experience in financial management best practices is highly desired.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in education or related field.

Skills and Experience:

A minimum of eight years’ professional experience in development projects;

A minimum of 4 years’ demonstrated experience managing education programs is strongly preferred;

Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, actors, and other stakeholders at the national and state levels;

Knowledge of/experience with USAID-funded projects;

Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with teams;

Excellent people skills at all levels, ability to work well under pressure, negotiate diplomatically, and the ability to work well in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment

Working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel and preparing effective presentations and reports;

Ability to travel throughout the province assigned.

Demonstrated capacity to lead workshops, trainings, and strategic planning sessions; and

Experience in financial management best practices is highly desired.

Additional Information
Language:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of (and proficiency in) Silozi language highly preferred.

*Please note* Local applicants are encouraged to apply

To Apply: Use smart recruiters link and submit your application no later than April 20, 2024. Please include the position title in the subject line.