Foundational Learning Policy Advisor at Save the Children

• Save the Children is seeking a Foundational Learning Policy Advisor for the anticipated 3 year £ 4.4 million FCDO funded Institutional Strengthening of Policy Implementation to Reduce Educational Disparities in the early years' education (INSPIRED) Programme. The programme will focus on increased access to quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) services in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, with a reduction in gender disparities; establishment of stronger ECE and foundational learning policy environment at the national level and strengthening evidence generation to inform decision-making at county and national levels. The Foundational Learning Policy Advisor will provide Technical Assistance (TA) to the Ministry of Education (MoE) for the development of relevant policies and legislations in ECE in line with the National Education Reforms (Presidential Taskforce Report Implementation). The post holder will act as the key liaison resource between SC Kenya and key policy and decision makers in the education sector. The Policy Advisor will provide though leadership on relevant legislative and policy instruments and be able to effectively communicate lessons learned and recommendations, foster and partnerships with relevant state and non-state institutions.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Program Delivery

• Provide Technical Assistance (TA) to the MoE for the development of relevant policies, legislations, and other priorities in ECE in line with the National Education Reforms (Presidential Taskforce Report Implementation)
• Develop policy position papers and briefing notes on ECE/Foundational learning to inform policy dialogues with sector stakeholders.
• Provide strategic policy advice, and guidance on foundational learning to key government stakeholders, sector partners and key project staff in SCI Kenya
• Provide technical support to sector stakeholders to build their capacity to incorporate foundational learning concerns into legal frameworks, policies, guidelines, and plans.
• Develop policy positions and proposals, identifying changes in policy design and/or implementation that could deliver improved outcomes.
• Designing and overseeing delivery of comprehensive engagement plans to share policy.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant state and non-state sector institutions.
• Establishing a strong network of policy professionals, influencers, and decision-makers across the sector.
• Work with the Team Lead to coordinate high level sector policy dialogues to influence support for progressive policies on foundational learning.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) to conduct evaluations, and demonstrate a clear understanding of how the evaluation will generate lessons learned for the programme itself, for the government, and for other education stakeholders in Kenya, and globally.
• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team for monitoring and evaluation of programme activities including taking corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure IPTT and indicator progress are updated monthly.
• Document programme learning and ensuring it contributes to organizational advocacy and donor priorities.
• Update project tools in line with SCI project management platforms (PRIME).
• Maintain an up-to-date information pack of various aspects affecting the beneficiaries in liaison with the other program teams and do analysis of project reports.
• Ensure timely implementation of budgeted activities in addition to budget tracking and control and ensure clarity of project reports.
• Develop and track quality project indicators and MEAL framework for the project with support from the MEAL team.
• Lead in assessments, evaluations and report writing for the project and enhance continuous monitoring and evaluation of programme activities in line with donor priorities.
• Work with MEAL to ensure updated project indicators and target beneficiaries throughout the project. .
• Work with T4D team to digitize project assessment tools including school attendance, enrolment, teacher professional development, teacher instructional support and all assessments in the program.
• Make regular support visits to Mandera and Wajir field offices.

Partnerships And Coordination

• Strong relationships with government, especially at national level with the Ministry of Education but also with the county governments. This should include credibility and strong reputation with Kenya's Ministry of Education (MoE), and credibility and strong reputation with Wajir and Mandera county governments.
• Excellent networking, negotiating, influencing and communication skills.
• A successful track record of providing advice to civil servants and politicians or other senior decision makers on complex and sensitive issues.
• Experience of successfully operating in national environments with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• A full appreciation of the value of cooperation within a team environment.
• Provide technical support to the consortium partners- compilation of the consortium members reports, data and monitoring guidance.
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders', enhance government, community participation, ownership, and sustainability of programmes.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other education agencies, schools, governmental institutions, host community partners and community level structures to promote community ownership and sustainability of project initiatives.
• Represent Save the Children and the in relevant working groups and coordination meetings.
• Liaise closely with other actors in the education sector on issues related to access to quality education for marginalized children in Wajir and Mandera counties.
• Where necessary, represent the Program Manager and Coordinators in meetings, both internal and external and engage with the Host Community partners, county governments and the national government.

Awards Management and Accountability

• Coordinate with finance and awards team to ensure effective budget monitoring for the project in line with donor requirements and contractual obligations, including kick-off meetings, mid-term, and close-out meetings.
• Coordinate the timely implementation of all grants and ensure sound and accurate expenditure.
• Proposal development - continuously analyse needs and develop concept notes, outlining clear areas of sensitization and awareness during the project life cycle.
• Oversee project activities budget expenditures and ensure they are allowable according to SCI and donor regulations; review monthly Budget vs. Actual and expenditure sheets and collaborate with the finance department to ensure accurate expenditures and reporting.
• Ensure timely production of activity/events reports as well as monthly reports as per the agreed timelines.

Contract Duration: 2 years
Number of Vacancies: 1
Work Location: Nairobi
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's / post graduate degree in either education, law, public policy, political science, public administration, or any relevant qualification
• Recommend a minimum of 8 years of relevant technical experience in policy and advocacy related work in education, teacher professional development, basic education, and other related sectors.
• Excellent experience in external representation with donors, local/national governments, communities, and partners.
• Demonstrable understanding and experience in the education policy landscape and current ECE trends and ability to influence policy changes.
• Experience working with both national and county governments both in policy formulation and development of implementation frameworks and guidelines.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
• Highly developed cultural and political awareness and ability to work well in matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
• Ability to present and communicate complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Experience building capacity of government and partners on relevant education dimensions to enhance community participation, ownership and empowerment.
• Competent in using Microsoft packages in programme management.
• Commitment to Save the Children's child safeguarding Policy.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required.
• Commitment to Save the Children values.

Competencies:

• Strong policy analytical skills that can be applied in the education sector with a focus on early childhood education/foundational learning.
• Ability to seek out evidence and reflect it accurately in policy documents.
• Excellent written skills and experience of writing detailed policy documents and briefings.
• Ability to advise on problems carefully and logically, leading to fact-based and practical recommendations.
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of how law and social policy is developed.
• Has high-level communication skills', including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili (both spoken and written).
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals.
• Maintains and extends an effective network of individuals within the organisation and with government and development partners.
• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Proven ability to work as a team.