Job Description

Job Title: System Support Officer

Reports To: Technical Advisor • SG RE – Data Capture and Visualization

Project Background

The USAID Kenya Primary Education Evaluation and Assessment Program (KPEEAP) will strengthen accountability and resilience across the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other relevant semi-autonomous government agencies (SAGAs) through improved collection, integration, and use of education data and technology to:

• Develop a more cost-effective and sustainable assessment system closely aligned with Kenya Primary Literacy Program (KPLP).
• Strengthen the MOE and its relevant SAGAs’ education data management systems.
• Support capacity building, technical assistance and training that advance the goals and objectives of KPLP, the MOE and the relevant SAGAs.

Job Summary

The System Support Officer (SSO) will work under the technical direction of the Information Technology Specialist to support system development including e-assessments, establishment of test banks, transmission and storage of test items, successful drawing of test items, and digital equipment and assessment activities. Will be based in the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) office to specifically support KNEC staff in the online system development. Responsible for mentoring and capacity building with ministry staff to ensure that the ministry can take ownership of the systems.

Overview

Specifically, FHI 360 will be responsible for providing a mix of long-term technical assistance (LTTA) and short-term technical assistance (STTA) to support implementation of the following activities in collaboration with the KPEEAP project staff and other project STTA. LTTA will be provided through a full time System Support Officer, details of which are provided further below. Given the adaptable nature of this program, activities are expected to evolve during implementation, and this may need to be documented with future amendments to this agreement.

Technical Responsibilities:

Capabilities of the MOE data management systems expanded.

• Work with MOE, KNEC, TSC and USAID to identify expansion needs for the existing EMIS, and the developing KEMIS, to support KEAP and KPLP activities, especially the test item assessment system.
• Enhance the capabilities of the existing EMIS to support KPEEAP and KPLP activities, especially the test item assessment system.
• Work with MOE, TSC, KNEC and USAID and develop identified tools for data collection from schools and teacher training to CBA and or dashboard with any needed linkages to other MOE data systems.
• Work with MOE, TSC, KNEC and USAID to develop a data transmission system to CBA and/or dashboard with any needed linkages between the MOE data systems. The data should include but not limited to data from remedial learning activities, monitoring teacher training, classroom lesson observations and teacher support, continuous classroom assessments and national grade 3 e-assessment, KPLP baseline, midline and endline evaluations and any other needed data in support of KPEEAP and KPLP. The data transmission system developed under KPEEAP should be in support of the existing MOE and TSC data systems such as CBA, NEMIS and TPAD.
• Expand the classroom observation/teacher support tool to include documentation of areas identified for teacher support to be uploaded in the dashboard for subsequent follow up to inform further teacher training.
• Create a link in the teacher feedback portal to access teacher training resources to help them build their knowledge on the feedback areas.
• Leverage private sector support in setting up and operationalization of the data collection and transmission system.
• Ensure continuous capacity building of MOE, TSC, KNEC and other related SAGAs engaged in the MOE data management system expansion for final transition of the expanded system to MOE.

Capacity of administrators enhanced to manage assessments and data systems.

• Provide short term training for about 50 KNEC and MOE technical staff in early grade reading assessment, learning assessment including e-assessment, item bank and test items development and item moderation.
• Involve and mentor KNEC and MOE officials in all the KPEEAP activities including early grade reading assessment, item bank and test item management, item moderation and learning assessment processes.
• Provide materials that are necessary for conducting early grade reading assessment and learning assessment.
• Provide equipment and software that are necessary for early grade reading assessment and learning assessment data entry, transmission, analysis and reporting.
• Provide technical experts to work with MOE and KNEC on early grade reading assessment, test bank and test items, education management information systems and assessments including e-assessment, data collection, transmission, analysis and reporting.
• Enhance internal technical capacity at KNEC to manage the data storage, analysis, processing and utilization infrastructure.

Minimum Requirement Standards:

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology (IT), computer science, information science with IT, or related field from an accredited institution.
• At least 8 years of experience in information and communications technology-related service management, IT systems support, basic computer networking, IT system security management, and related technologies conducting and supporting assessment.
• Hands-on experience in installation, troubleshooting, and upgrading software and hardware systems such as computers, printers, tablets, servers, portable devices, and other peripheral devices. Experience in supporting dashboards desired.
• Ability to enhance online in-service and pre-service training forums, strengthening existing platforms, and uploading digital training modules to be accessed remotely desired.
• Experience in successfully supporting e-assessment of large-scale national reading programs in a developing country, preferably in Kenya and East Africa, is highly desired.
• Ability to independently provide day-to-day technical support, systems training, and mentorship.
• Demonstrated technical and interpersonal skills to ensure internal coherence among diverse team members and productive relations with the Government of Kenya, sub-partners, and grantees.

Ability to write, communicate, and prepare reports clearly in English.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree .o

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements