Project Officer-Education (Phonics & Aspire projects) at ZOA

Job Description

Purpose of the position
The Project Officer (PO) Education, with support from the Project Coordinator, is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of activities under the Education projects (Phonics or Aspire) in schools in Rhino and Imvepi Settlements, West Nile.

The PO carries out the day-to-day implementation of the project, in coordination with other project team members, and staff of other Education projects, including:
Implementation of activities in schools and communities, according to the agreed activity plans;
• Delivery of community engagement and mobilization strategies aimed at increasing community understanding/buy-in, participation, and contribution to ensure project sustainability and ownership
• Supporting Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) activities, including gathering and recording feedback from project beneficiaries and other stakeholders

Place in Organisation
The PO Education is supervised by the PC/PM and closely coordinates with the PO MEAL, as well as ZOA staff working on other Education projects in West Nile. The PO may be responsible for coordinating and supervising volunteers at the field level.

Responsibilities General
• Implements project activities in line with the project proposal and agreed activity plans
• Supports possible community volunteers in day-to-day implementation;
• Accounts in a timely way for executed project activities in line with and according to relevant ZOA policies and guidelines;
• Ensures project outputs are consistent with project proposals, log frames and in line with quality standards and country policies;
• Oversees and ensures implementation is in line with the standards and policies of both ZOA and the government of Uganda;

Reporting
• Provide inputs to implementation plans and activity/monthly reports;
• Identify, and document lessons learned and best practices;
• Prepare and submit well-written success stories;
• Contribute to project reports or implementation plans as required by supervisor;
• Collect monitoring data according to ZOA’s systems and activities in the project
• Actively participate in (technical) working groups and coordination meetings
• Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor in line with the project.
• Contacts

Eternal contacts:
• Project participants; teachers, headteachers, children in schools, parents, and other community members;
• Local government actors and relevant district offices, such as the District Education Office, Community Development Office, Sub County offices, and others when deemed necessary;
• Other (I) NGOs, CBOs, and other civil society actors implementing education projects in the project area

Internal contacts:
• ZOA Management;
• Members of the project team (Coordinator, Project Officers); • Other project teams;
• Support staff.

Requirements
Knowledge & Experience:
• Degree in Education, Development Studies, or other related relevant field;
• At least 2 – 3 years of successful experience in a similar position implementing related projects;
• Specific experience in implementing projects with Phonics or Inclusive Education activities is a plus.
• Good facilitation skills, e.g. being able to host a community meeting or training group
• Understanding of the local context, culture, and language(s);
• Excellent spoken and written command of English.

Skills:
• Good communication, writing, and facilitation skills;
• Innovative, creative, and enthusiastic;
• Good computer skills: Ms. Excel and Ms. Word;
• Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision;
• Ability to drive a motorcycle with a valid driving/riding license Class “A”

Behavior and attitude:
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision, and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporateidentity/)
• Able to plan and coordinate and work in an organized manner
• Able to bridge differences and bring people together from different backgrounds
• High level of integrity
• Motivated to work independently / self-managing.

Salary and other terms of employment
• The PO Education will be based at Rhino Camp in the West Nile region. Regular field visits to the project locations/schools supported will take place. Regular visits to the ZOA office in Arua are anticipated, which may necessitate overnight stays in Arua. Visits to other locations may also be requested for coordination, training, and learning.
• The role is 1.0 FTE (40 hrs/ week). Working hours are outlined in the ZOA Uganda Conditions of Service. Some flexibility on working hours may be required, e.g. for travel at weekends, or during reporting times. The role is recruited at Grade 3.1in the ZOA Uganda 2023 salary scale