Education Assistant – Gulu, Uganda – ICYD Activity

Education Development Center (EDC)  is a global non-profit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  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 goal of the USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and can make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

The ICYD Activity promotes improved coordination and collaboration across sectors and other USAID-supported programs. In addition, the Activity aims to strengthen systems for better communication and planning at national, district, and municipal levels of government and between government and non-governmental institutions that serve children and youth. The Activity works in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), the District Local Government, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), and School Foundation Bodies at district, regional and national levels, cultural institutions, communities, parents and other key stakeholders.

Job Description

The Education Assistant (EA) will be responsible for supporting a given number of schools to ensure that children learn to read in safe and caring environments at school, home and in the community. S/he will be expected to work with all key stakeholders including the School Administrators (Headteachers, Deputies, Director of Studies, Heads of Departments, Senior Men and Senior Woman Teachers), Teachers, School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Coordinating Centre Tutors (CCTs) local governments and community leaders. The EA will be part of and work collaboratively alongside other members of the ICYD Activity team, including the Early Grade Reading Officers (EGROs), District Community Engagement Supervisors (DCES) and Pre-Service Development Officers (PSDOs). This is a full-time position based in Gulu Zone, Uganda, serving in Lira City and Lira District.    

As a member of the ICYD Activity team:

• EAs will work closely with the School Administrators (Headteachers, Deputies, Director of Studies, Heads of Departments, Senior Men and Senior Woman Teachers) and teachers to facilitate early grade reading (EGR) activities in both Local Language and English at school-level. The core activities of the EA will entail EGR teacher training and routine monitoring and support supervision school visits to conduct coaching and mentoring.
• Jointly observe literacy lessons in English and Local languages with School Administrators, demonstrating aspects that are challenging to teachers and conducting school-based continuous professional development (CPD) for the teachers and School Administrators.
• EAs will also work closely with the School Administrators, relevant teachers and Para Social Workers (PSWs) and Social Workers (SWs) to facilitate school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) prevention activities in school and in the community. The activities include training School Administrators and relevant teachers on Journeys Plus and Journeys for Community and the Early Warning System Committees.
• Work with Teacher Patrons to establish Journeys teams in schools, plan, document and conduct journeys activities with relevant school administrators and Teacher Patrons.
• EAs will support SMCs, PTAs and other community organizations to monitor and develop plans and strategies to address barriers to pupil enrolment, regular attendance and school retention and to address other contributing factors to low EGR competences among P1-P4 learners and combat SRGBV at the school level.
• EAs will work with the schools and community members and local leaders to facilitate the Local Reading Support Program (LRSP) and remedial lessons for struggling learners and any other innovation that improves children’s reading abilities.
• EAs will collaborate with foundational body leaders, school management committees, Parents Teachers Association, Parents, local community leaders, sub county chiefs, and all OVC partners to improve support for EGR and safer learning environments.
• Timely data collection and quality data entry for monitoring and evaluating ICYD activities at school and community level.
• EAs will prepare and submit written reports on ICYD activities and results on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• EAs will conduct these and other tasks as required in support of the ICYD Activity goals.

Qualifications

The candidate for the position of Education Assistant shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

• Grade III Teaching Certificate; diploma in a related field is preferred.
• Experience in teaching EGR.
• Experience in teacher training.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring teachers.
• Experience in conducting school-based CPD.
• Experience in facilitating SRGBV prevention activities in school and in the community.
• Experience in implementing community awareness and advocacy activities.
• Community engagement, facilitation, and training skills.
• Detailed understanding of the Ugandan education context.
• Knowledgeable of local government and community structures.
• Ability to verbally communicate in an engaging manner and write clearly and concisely in English.
• Ability to build effective relationships with relevant community and local government structures and peers.
• Ability to work within a cross cultural setting with tolerance and respect and negotiate diplomatically.
• Skills of working in a team, including basic supervision and management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and with minimum supervision.
• Fluency in English and local languages (Leb Lango) is required.

Application Instructions

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed. Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

Job application closing date: October  27, 2023

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.