Institutional Capacity and Systems Strengthening Advisor

Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.  

Project Summary:

Creative Associates seeks an Institutional Capacity and Systems Strengthening Advisor for the upcoming five-year, multi-million-dollar USAID-funded Accessible and Quality Basic Education Activity (AQBE) in Afghanistan. Enrolling more children in school is one of the Ministry of Education's (MoE) highest priorities given the 3.7 million out of school children. Over the next five years, the MoE aims to increase enrollment while strengthening education quality, especially for poor and disadvantaged children in rural areas through community-based education, formal schools, and affordable private schools.

Position Summary: 

The Institutional Capacity and Systems Strengthening Advisor will have overall responsibility for the quality implementation of activities related to educational systems strengthening. S/he will lead the design and development of activities to build government capacity at the national, provincial, and district levels to plan and manage quality education service delivery and expand access. S/he will work with project partners and stakeholders to design and develop policy implementation guidance and action plans for the flow-down of policy in target provinces and districts.

Reporting and Supervision:

The Institutional Capacity and Systems Strengthening Advisor reports to the Deputy Chief of Party and has supervisory responsibility.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Facilitate a process with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other stakeholders at central- and provincial-levels to map and review existing education policy frameworks, especially around systems, access, attendance, instruction, teacher professional development, and assessment;
• Work with relevant project stakeholders and local officials to provide support to sustain existing policy initiatives and facilitate implementation of MoE policies and strategies;
• Support implementation and monitoring of policy action plans;
• Facilitate policy review meetings regarding quality and access to track progress in implementing new policies, identify corrective actions to speed implementation, and develop tools to assess impact;
• Improve the capacity of education officials and provincial, district, and school staff to develop leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills to effectively implement policies and regulations regarding improved learning outcomes;
• Provide coaching on various issues including data analysis and evidence-based decision making, monitoring, and staff mentoring; and
• Support dissemination of new policies and opportunities for feedback at all levels through national and provincial-level workshops involving MoE officials, community meetings, publications, and ongoing media campaigns.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Education, Public Policy, or related field;
• At least eight (8) years of education project implementation experience, and five (5) years in a leadership role;
• Specific experience in basic education reform, institutional capacity building, and policy framework development;
• Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, actors, and other stakeholders at the national, district, and local levels;
• Ability to lead workshops, trainings, and strategic planning sessions;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation highly desired;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; and
• Strong communication skills;fluency in Dari and Pashto required and advanced knowledge of spoken and written English highly desired.

Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.