Education for Marginalized Children in Kenya (EMACK) Jobs and Careers

1. Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) – Garissa, North Eastern Province
2. Senior Education Specialist – Nairobi
3. Monitoring, Documentation & Learning Officer – Nairobi
4. Communications Specialist (CS) – Mombasa
5. Education Specialist – Pastoralist Education Programmes (ES-P) – Garissa
6. Information Technology Officer – Mombasa
7. Programme Officer – Garissa, North Eastern Province
8. Accountant – Garissa, North Eastern Province
9. Accountant (Partnerships) – Nairobi
10. Finance Field Officer – Mandera
11. Finance and Administration Assistant – Nairobi
Education for Marginalized Children in Kenya (EMACK) is an initiative of the Ministry of Education and the Aga Khan Foundation made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development.
The programme seeks to improve access to quality education and increase retention and completion rates for children historically underserved by the education system. The four year extension and expansion phase (2010 – 2014) will cover 23 districts across the Coast, North Eastern and Nairobi Provinces.
We invite applications from suitable candidates to fill the following positions:
1. Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) – Garissa, North Eastern Province
Reporting to the Chief of Party (CoP) and based in Garissa, the DCOP will provide  oversight,   strategic  planning   and  technical expertise on effective  education interventions for the entire region.
Essential Job Functions:
1) Strategic development
·         Facilitate the design and implementation of innovative and effective strategies for the development of education programmes in North Eastern Province;
·         Overall responsibility for the quality of programme and plans developed by both EMACK core team members and partners in North Eastern Province
·         Overall  responsibility for EMACK’s capacity building  efforts for District and Provincial Education Officials in North Eastern Province;
2) Programming:
·         Support Education Specialists in the of design innovative education programmes, linking this effort to EMACK’s objective of scaling up and mainstreaming of successful features and approaches;
·         Facilitating capacity building efforts for District and Provincial Education Officials including DEBs, in readiness for mainstreaming of successful EMACK approaches;
·         Facilitating programme reviews and monitoring of KESSP II plans and budgets by DEBs and PDE offices;
3) Finance and Administration
·         Responsible for the development and accountability of the North Eastern Province programme budgets in close collaboration with CoP, DFA and Education Specialists;
Requirements:
·         Master’s Degree in Education or related field;
·         Minimum of 7 years in senior leadership and management position within an NGO;
·         Knowledge of basic education including Early Childhood Education and primary and Secondary Education;
·         Experience with programme design, planning, action research and monitoring and evaluation, especially in the context of ASALs and promoting education initiatives amongst pastoralist communities; willingness to work additional hours during critical implementation periods.
2. Senior Education Specialist – Nairobi
Based in Nairobi and reporting to the Chief of Party, the Senior Education Specialist (SES) will be part of the EMACK Senior Management Team (SMT) and will provide technical advice to EMACK programmes across the three programme regions of Coast, North Eastern Province (NEP) and Nairobi to ensure that high quality standards are maintained throughout the programme,
Essential Job Functions:
·         Provide technical oversight and quality control of all education projects in the EMACK programme, with the assistance of three thematic Education Specialists (Education Specialist, Languages; Education Specialist Mathematics & Science and Education Specialist, Pastoralist Education);
·         Play a central role in the design and development of programme plans, strategies and interventions aimed at   increasing access to quality basic  education; retention, completion and transition of marginalised children;
·         Conduct training and facilitate professional development opportunities for key members of, EMACK staff, government counterparts and partners;
·         Strengthen  public – private   partnerships in order to mobilise   resources (both technical and financial) in support of EMACK interventions and community development initiatives;
·         Assist the Chief of Party (COP) and Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) in advancing EMACK’s policy advocacy agenda.
Requirements:
·         Minimum of Master’s degree in education and strong knowledge of education programmes including Non- Formal Education, Early Childhood Education, Primary Education and gender perspectives in education;
·         Knowledge of educational issues affecting marginalised populations, gender perspectives in education (including girl children), orphans and vulnerable children and children with special needs;
·         Minimum 8 years experience in education planning: design, development and implementation of NFE programmes around issues of marginalised children;
·         Strong programme design, planning and development skills including the project cycle and logical framework analysis; experience with operational/action research, monitoring and evaluation.
3. Monitoring, Documentation & Learning Officer – Nairobi
The Monitoring, Documentation and Learning Officer is part of the core team and is responsible for the monitoring, evaluation, documentation and learning functions of the project in Nairobi Province.
The post holder will work closely with other members of the M&E team to develop a comprehensive performance monitoring plan for the project; analysing indicator data and monitoring compliance with USAID specified targets.
S/he will also take responsibility for collecting and compiling regular data for and for revisiting program indicators to ensure that they are suitable for project purposes.
Essential Job Functions
·         Provide appropriate support in developing and maintaining the project’s Management Information System (MIS) which will be in conformity with the unique circumstances of the informal settlements in Nairobi.
·         Facilitate the implementation of the project performance monitoring and evaluation plan;
·         Develop monitoring and evaluation tools in collaboration with other M&E team members and partner staff, to ensure regular and objective data collection;
·         Promote the culture of systematic documentation and learning by organising formative monthly and/or quarterly feedback sessions for the project on its progress based on analysis of monitoring data.
Requirements:
·         Minimum Bachelors’ Degree in Education, Development Studies, Sociology/ Community Development or other closely related discipline;
·         minimum 3 years experience in monitoring and evaluation of international development projects, preferably in the education sector;
·         direct experience in the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques as applied in social/operational or action research;
·         Excellent knowledge of statistical software packages such as EPI INFO and SPSS plus experience in setting up of project Management Information Systems;
·         experience in the development of Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs);
·         familiarity with the Kenyan education system preferred;
·         Knowledge of U.S. donor reporting requirements and monitoring systems highly desirable;
·         excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills;
4. Communications Specialist (CS) – Mombasa
The Communications Specialist (CS) will be a member of EMACK’s Senior Management and Core Teams and will oversee the programme’s overall communications function, including reporting and documentation and learning of all
aspects of the programme.
Essential Job Functions:
·         Work closely with the M&E and programme teams t o promote a culture of systematic documentation and learning and support the synthesis and analysis of monitoring data.
·         The CS will identify needs and facilitate training to improve the capacity of partners and the EMACK Core Team in reporting and documentation.
·         Facilitate the production of various communications materials including newsletters (quarterly and annual), videos for training and communicating to wider audiences, programme briefs and fliers, and other types of products to inform policy and practice;
·         Facilitate the documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt and best practices based on analysis of monitoring data of all aspects of the programme;
Requirements:
·         Masters’ Degree in Development Communications, Journalism or related field;
·         Knowledge of U.S. donor reporting requirements highly desirable;
·         minimum 5 years experience in a busy organisation;
·         experience in developing a wide range of communications products including quality reports, newsletters and videos experience in managing web site information;
·         excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili;
·         creative and takes initiative;
·         strong analytical/problem solving skills.
5. Education Specialist – Pastoralist Education Programmes (ES-P) – Garissa
Reporting to Deputy Chief of Party, The Education Specialist – Pastoralist Education Programmes (ES-P) will provide leadership for all EMACK programmes in North Eastern Province (NEP) in addition to developing a raft of effective interventions aimed at providing quality education to large numbers of children in NEP
Essential Job Functions:
·         Coordinate   programme   activities   and   interventions   to   increase   access; improve quality, retention, completion and transition rates for children in both formal and non-formal settings in North Eastern Province;
·         Establish partnerships with local NGOs/CBOs  and key Government departments and institutions aimed at improving the design, development, monitoring and implementation of appropriate interventions for all education programmes supported by EMACK in the Province;
·         Strengthen the Whole School Approach (WSA) as the overarching EMACK strategy in order io enhance community support and ownership of education programmes at district/school levels;
·         Support MOE efforts aimed at the establishment of quality alternative learning programmes in NEP including  NFE centres and integrated Islamic education programmes.
Requirements:
·         Masters’ Degree in Education or closely related field;
·         a minimum of 5 years work experience in education programmes especially, programmes with a bias for pastoralist communities;
·         good understanding of the dynamics and complexities involved in the management of programmes in pastoralist settings;
·         sound knowledge of the project cycle including logical framework analysis (LFA) and Results Based Management (RBM); sound knowledge of the Education Sector in Kenya including the policy context;
·         excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili;
·         Knowledge of Somali language is an added advantage.
6. Information Technology Officer – Mombasa
The IT Officer will be responsible for EMACK’s software and hardware assets. S/he will provide help desk support for software and hardware related in addition to trouble shooting and network maintenance. S/he will also provide IT training to the staff of EMACK and its partners.
Essential Job Functions:
·         Responsible for all software programmes at field level;
·         Serve as technical point of contact/support on IT matters including procurement of IT equipment;
·         Develop service schedules for all computer hardware at EMACK;
·         Provide needs-based training for staff on IT matters.
Requirements:

Education
·         Degree in Information Technology or equivalent from a recognised university;
·         Microsoft Certification; MCSE, MCSA, MCP;
·         User Support Professional / A+ Certification.
Other Qualifications
·         Minimum 3 years experience in trouble shooting and maintenance of diversified range of computer hardware equipment
·         excellent knowledge of various software packages including accounting and payroll and experience in setting up of Information Systems
·         familiarity with the latest developments in Kenyan ICT industry.
7. Programme Officer – Garissa, North Eastern Province
Reporting to Deputy Chief of Party, the Programme Officer will provide leadership for all EMACK programmes in the Greater Garissa District of North Eastern Province (NEP), in addition to playing a significant role in the development and refinement of EMACK plans and strategies
Essential Job Functions
·         Facilitate training programmes in conjunction with DEO offices in Lagdera, Garissa, Fafi and Ijara districts and other relevant agencies (such as UNICEF) on the Whole School Approach, Girls Forums, Students’ Councils and Active-Learning methodology for teachers as well as School Management Committee training and other relevant training identified during the life of the programme;
·         Strengthen the Whole School Approach (WSA) as the overarching EMACK strategy to enhance community support and ownership of education programmes;
·         Ensure timely submission of quality programme quarterly technical reports
·         Support the documentation of EMACK best practices and experiences and other duties as assigned or requested.
Requirements
·         Bachelors’ Degree in Education or closely related field;
·         minimum of 3 years’ work experience in education programmes especially programmes with a bias for pastoralist communities;
·         good understanding of the dynamics and complexities involved in the management of programmes in pastoralist settings;
·         sound knowledge of the project cycle including logical framework analysis (LFA) and Results Based Management (RBM);
·         direct experience or some exposure to policy advocacy work;
·         direct experience of managing programme staff and partners;
·         experience of working with the Ministry of Education and sound knowledge of the Education Sector in Kenya including the policy context.
8. Accountant – Garissa, North Eastern Province
The primary function of the Accountant will be to assist in the management of the EMACK Office in Garissa, The position entails financial, administration, human resource and other logistic responsibilities.
Maintenance of regular communication with the head office in Mombasa is crucial.
Essential Job Functions:
·         Finance: Oversee all NEP finance and accounting operations; send monthly donor reports in liaison with head office; audit payments to ensure invoices are properly supported and payment requests are accurate;
·         Partners Finances: Ensure partners present their quarterly funds requests on time; ensure partners’ accountants prepare cashbooks and quarterly finance reports and submit the same to the head office in a timely manner;
·         Procurement Prepare internal requisitions for all purchases; obtain appropriate quotations before purchasing items/equipment; ensure Goods Received Notes (GRNs) are raised
Requirements
·         Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and/or Finance; full CPA (K) Qualification;
·         minimum 2 years accounting experience and familiarity with computerised accounting systems;
·         knowledge of grant processes, procedures, and auditing requirements is desirable;
·         must be an energetic self-starter who can work without close day-to-day supervision;
·         good accounting, financial analysis, time management and organisational skills, including intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and advanced Excel skills.
9. Accountant (Partnerships) – Nairobi
The primary function of the Accountant (Partnerships) is to assist in the management of the Nairobi EMACK office. It entails financial, administration, human resource and other logistic responsibilities. The post holder will be based in Nairobi and will maintain regular communication with the head office based in Mombasa.
Essential Job Functions
·         Finance: Implement AKF and donor financial policies; send monthly donor reports in liaison with head office; audit payments – ensure invoices are properly supported and payment cheque requests are accurate; process vendor payments in timely manner; provide support to Director of Finance & Administration in preparation of budgets and financial clarifications ;
·         Partners’ Finances: Ensure the Nairobi and Garissa based partners present their quarterly funds requests on time; ensure partners’ accountants prepare cashbooks and quarterly finance reports and submit the same to the head office in a timely manner; pe nod ic review s o f partners’ fina ncia I and administrative systems; inspect the partners’ payment vouchers, cashbooks and carry out periodic variance analysis;
·         Procurement: Prepare internal requisitions for all purchases; obtain quotations as appropriate before purchasing of items/equipment; ensure Goods Received Notes (GRNs) are raised.
Requirements
·         Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and/or Finance;
·         full CPA (K) Qualification;
·         minimum 2 years accounting experience and familiarity with computerised accounting systems;
·         knowledge of grant processes, procedures, and auditing requirements is desirable;
·         must be an energetic self-starter who can work without close day-to-day supervision;
·         good accounting, financial analysis, time management and organisational skills, including intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and advanced Excel skills.
10. Finance Field Officer – Mandera
The primary function of the Finance Field Officer will be to assist in the management of the EMACK Mandera office. The holder of this position will be responsible for financial, administrative, human resources and logistical functions at the Mandera and Wajir Sub-Offices in close collaboration with the EMACK office in Garissa.
Essential Job Functions:
·         Administration: Supervise and co-ordinate office support staff (cleaner and driver); ensure proper and prudent use of office facilities and equipment; maintenance of inventory records;
·         Finance: Ensure that AKF, USAID and International Accounting Standard policies are adhered to; maintain the Mandera/Wajir Office cash box and records; process vendor payments in a timely manner; Support the NEP Accountant in the preparation and monitoring of budgets as well as monthly returns; maintain a good filing system for finance documents.
·         Partners’ Finances: Ensure that EMACK partners in Mandera and Wajir present their quarterly funds requests in time; ensure partners’ Accountants prepare cashbooks and monthly finance reports and submit these to the NEP office in Garissa; ensure that the partners adhere to the clauses in their respective Letters of Understanding entered into with EMACK.
Requirements
·         Bachelor’s level degree in Accounting and/or Finance;
·         minimum CP II qualifications;
·         minimum 2 years accounting experience and familiarity with computerised accounting systems;
·         knowledge of grant processes, procedures, and auditing requirements is desirable;
·         must be an energetic self-starter who can work without close day-to-day supervision;
·         good accounting, financial analysis, time management and organisational skills, including intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and advanced Excel skills.
11. Finance and Administration Assistant – Nairobi
This post holder will report to the Accountant in Nairobi and will undertake the following key functions:
Essential Job Functions:
·         Front Office Management: Assist in handling visitors and queries presented at the EMACK reception area; Assist in manning the EMACK telephone exchange; liaise with the security guards to ensure that visitors are properly vetted before being allowed into the premises; ensure that good public relations are maintained with various third parties at the EMACK reception area.
·         Procurement: Assist in the annual vendor registration exercise; assist in the process of sourcing quotations from vendors; prepare bid analysis documents for use by the tender committee;
·         Finance Office Assistance: Preparation of payment documents; preparation of monthly analytical reports on use of consumables.
Requirements
·         Computer literacy in Microsoft Office applications especially Excel;
·         must be an energetic self-starter who can work without close day-to-day supervision;
·         experience working in a team environment;
·         Good written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to prioritise workloads;
·         ability to work under pressure with multiple tasks, demands and deadlines with a positive and constructive attitude under minimal supervision; fluent in English.
Applications, along with a cover letter and an up-to-date CV, names of three referees and a daytime telephone contact should be sent to the address below by 15th November 2010.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
The Regional Human Resources Manager,
Aga Khan Foundation, East Africa
P.O. Box 40898, 00100, Nairobi
Email: akf.east-africa@akdn.org
The Aga Khan Foundation is an equal opportunity employer
The Aga Khan Foundation is an Agency of the Aga Khan Development Network

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