POSITION SUMMARY:  

Winrock International is recruiting applicants for the position of an Education Advisor for the anticipated U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Protective Education for Girls in Mali Activity. The project will target out-of-school adolescents and youth in Kayes and Bougouni, particularly girls and those affected by conflict and crisis, who do not have access to the safe and equitable learning opportunities needed to strengthen their resilience and contribute to their communities. The purpose of the activity is to increase primary school entry, retention and completion, particularly for girls and learners who have been marginalized due to exposure and/or engagement in the mining industry, with improved foundational skills and social emotional competencies, even in the face of violence, exploitation and abuse. The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding. 

The Education Advisor will lead the program team across result areas. S/he will be responsible for supporting the Chief of Party in determining the strategic direction of the project. S/he will develop and oversee the implementation of strategies to increase the resilience and social emotional competencies of educators, in order to improve educational outcomes for out-of-school adolescents and youth, particularly girls and those adversely affected by the mining industry. S/he will also provide technical assistance on formal and non-formal education opportunities in crisis and conflict-affected areas to increase learning outcomes including developing appropriate teaching and learning materials and teacher professional development initiatives. Specific technical areas of focus anticipated include strengthening foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social emotional learning (SEL), and soft skills; building resilience capabilities and assets; and strengthening pathways between non-formal to formal education. The Education Advisor will report directly to the Chief of Party and will work closely with Winrock’s Senior Education Advisor.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Provide day-to-day technical leadership and ensure high-quality deliverables 

• Oversee and work with team of technical specialists to design, implement and monitor education interventions focused on improving outcomes for out-of-school adolescents and youth, particularly girls and those affected by conflict and crisis 

• Lead design, adaptation, and rollout of non-formal/accelerated learning programs for children and adolescents to facilitate re-entry into primary school, taking conflict and crisis situations into account 

• Work in collaboration with Ministry counterparts for all phases of SEL materials development piloting, revision, and teacher training to build capacity while leveraging existing government initiatives and integrating components into the education system 

• Work with the MERL team to conduct formal and informal assessments to assess implementation of education interventions and adapt approaches to the context, including addressing security risks, conflict or crisis 

• Contribute to program research and monitoring, and participate in learning and reflection exercises with USAID and other stakeholders to refine and adjust technical approaches and annual work plans  

• Work with the project team and Winrock’s Senior Education Advisor to incorporate best practices and capture good practices, lessons learned and impact of the project 

• Represent the project at relevant conferences, stakeholder, and donor meetings as appropriate. 

• Other duties and tasks as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:  

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, international development, or relevant discipline required. 

Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working on the design, management, and implementation of complex education programs, particularly in conflict and crisis regions  

• At least three years’ experience providing technical leadership on USAID-funded education projects, preferably on non-formal education, formal education, education in emergencies, in Mali and in West Africa. 

• Demonstrated experience developing or leading the development of teaching and learning materials working in collaboration with multiple stakeholders and implementing partners 

• Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: foundational skills, social emotional learning (SEL), soft skills, building resilience, teacher professional development, girls’ education, inclusion 

• Ability to collaborate and liaise with senior MoE officials, other USAID implementing partners, relevant education sector stakeholders, and senior members of the donor community. 

• Demonstrated experience advising on education monitoring, evaluation, research and learning activities. 

Skills / Knowledge:  

• Knowledge of education sector in Mali, including main barriers to access for school-age primary school adolescents and youth, current government initiatives and lessons learned from past USAID programming preferred. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to lead technical team and provide technical support across project and partner organizations. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, including effectively contributing to joint planning and implementation of activities. 

• Excellent organizational skills. 

• Excellent facilitation skills, including proven ability to lead the design and delivery of training workshops and capacity building activities on education, gender equity and social inclusion, or other related areas. 

• Demonstrated strong writing and oral presentation skills in French required. English preferred. 

Other:                   

• Ability to travel in target regions of Mali (in compliance with safety and security restrictions).