Chief of Party

USAID Kenya Primary Education Evaluation and Assessment Program (KPEEAP)

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Project Background

The Kenya Primary Education Evaluation and Assessment Program (KPEEAP) is a four-year USAID education project supporting Kenya’s Ministry of Education (MOE) and other relevant semi-autonomous government agencies (SAGAs) through improved collection, integration, and use of education data and technology. The project objectives include:

1. Assess student learning progress under the Kenya Primary Literacy Program (KPLP), including developing a more cost-effective and sustainable assessment system,
2. Strengthen the GOK’s education data management systems for improved accountability, and
3. Support capacity building, technical assistance and training that advance the goals and objectives of KPLP, KPEEAP, and the MOE.

Mastering early grade reading is essential for a child’s future success both in education and life. Children who fail to develop literacy skills early in their lives face increasing challenges in their academic progress, which can limit their economic opportunities as adults. KPEEAP will build out a more effective and sustainable early grade reading assessment system, strengthen and integrate the MOE’s education data management systems, and strengthen capacity across Kenyan schools and education officials to monitor and support student progress. By improving assessment systems and enabling data-driven decision making, the project supports the MOE to boost literacy outcomes and close learning gaps. In partnership with the MOE and other key stakeholders, KPEEAP will help ensure that more Kenyan students meet national reading benchmarks, ultimately preparing them for greater success in school and beyond while contributing to Kenya’s broader development goals.

Objectives and Duties
The Chief of Party (COP) shall be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project and work together with the designated USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COP shall supervise project implementation and ensure the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination among USAID, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners. The COP position requires political savvy and close coordination with USAID, as the individual will interact with numerous GOK institutions and senior-level national and County government officials.

Essential Duties

• Provide overall strategic direction and leadership to the project and responsible for ensuring that the project achieves desired results.
• Manage relationship with USAID, key Kenyan government officials, implementing partners and key stakeholders.
• Coordinate project activities with those of USAID and other donor initiatives.
• Supervise technical, financial, operations management, communications and M&E teams and ensure the quality, compliance, and timeliness of activities and deliverables.
• Lead annual work-planning development process, implementation of workplan activities, and delivery of annual targets.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in education, social sciences, or a relevant field to education programs
  from an accredited university.
• At least 15 years of experience in managing teams and implementing education programs
  in developing countries, preferably in the implementation of a national scale reading
  program of similar technical complexity.
• Demonstrated experience in USAID funded programs that include strategic leadership
  and proven track record in designing, implementing, and managing program activities.
• Expertise in organizational development, institutional strengthening of government, nongovernment, and community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated understanding of monitoring and evaluation projects or assessments; experience working in assessment and/or evaluations preferred and experience in education assessments a plus.
• A proven ability to identify and negotiate partnership opportunities and experience
  managing sub-partners.
• Exemplary management, supervision, communication, and interpersonal skills to ensure
  internal coherence among diverse team members and productive relations with the GOK,
  donors, and the international community.
• Ability to write, communicate, and prepare contractual documents and reports clearly in English

Location and Reporting

The location for this position is KPEEAP Office (remote in Nairobi, Kenya). The Chief of Party reports to the home office Associate Director.