Reading Assessment Specialist/Deputy 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 Reading Assessment Specialist/DCOP will work under the leadership of the COP and will be responsible for all aspects of Assessment, including overseeing the assessment activities with the Government of Kenya (GoK), sub partners and grantees as well as developing and moderating learner assessment test items where appropriate.

Essential Duties

• Lead, develop, design and assessment activities.
• Design, develop and implement EGRAs in accordance with global assessment criteria, ensuring alignment with instructional materials, Global Proficiency Framework (GPF) and Minimum Proficiency Levels.
• Ensure collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and counterparts.
• Lead the development of standardized test administration manuals and quality assurance protocols.
• Ensure timely reporting.
• Manage the development of the online training platform.
• Provide capacity-building support, training,
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in education, social sciences, or related field from an accredited university.
• At least 7 years of experience conducting and supporting learner assessment or evaluation studies of large-scale national reading programs in Kenya or East Africa.
• Strong knowledge of competency based and school-based assessment, experience in assessment methodologies, designing assessment frameworks, assessment tools and implementing assessments including e-assessments.
• Ability to conduct continuous formative and summative assessments, access digital assessment content and generate and analyze assessment reports.
• Experience in successfully supporting early grade reading assessments in large-scale national reading programs in a developing country, preferably in Kenya or East Africa, is highly desired.
• Demonstrated exemplary technical, capacity building, communication, and interpersonal skills to ensure internal coherence among diverse team members and productive relations with the GoK, sub partners, and grantees.
• Experience with donor funded projects, including contracts, and understanding of USAID rules and regulations.
• Ability to write, communicate, and prepare reports clearly in English.

Location and Reporting

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