Program Officer

Project Overview

QITABI is a five-year, $46.2 million project that will improve both access to education and learning outcomes in primary schools, in addition to supporting institutional effectiveness across MEHE (Ministry of Education and Higher Education) in Lebanon. QITABI aims to improve outcomes in reading at the primary level, under the assumption that increased literacy directly correlates to increased academic and professional achievement. Improved facilities, services, and teaching – along with more effectively engaged communities and school councils – will not only improve learning outcomes, but also increase the chances of youth remaining in the formal education system. The project has three components:

• Component 1: Improving reading outcomes for primary level public school students
• Component 2: Expanding access to safe and relevant education for vulnerable public school students
• Component 3: Strengthening management (resilience) in the education system to better direct and monitor education

World Learning has an immediate vacancy for a Beirut-based “Program Officer” for the USAID-funded QITABI project in Lebanon. Duration of the position: 1 year. This position is for a Lebanese national.

Overall objective: To support in the project efforts, enhance coordination, and manage effective implementation of the project interventions.

Research

• Provide technical support in developing desk reviews and conducting research and data collection
• Participate in reviewing, analyzing and summarizing background documentation, policy documents and writing reports
• Participate in conducting research to identify appropriate program components activities and assist in drafting proposals/concept notes and papers
• Compile best practices, lessons learnt, experiences and best practices from the field
• Support in reporting by retrieving/processing data, updating data based on a pre-defined report structure, and analyze/interpret data to produce insights and recommendations
• Contribute and assist in the production of regular reports (including weekly, quarterly), PowerPoint presentations, analysis of surveys, infographics, technical reports
• Prepare briefings and program materials

Support the implementation of project activities

In close coordination with the DCOP, Component Leads, the incumbent will lead on the following tasks:

• Coordinate closely with project partners on the smooth implementation of Component 3 interventions including the National Assessment strategy
• Support the implementation of QITABI project interventions and data collection upon request and assist in the related follow-up and reporting
• Provide daily administrative support by creating calendars, scheduling appointments for internal and external events, providing logistical support, recording and disseminating meeting minutes, drafting correspondence and coordinating travel/field visits· arrangements
• Assist in the backstopping of the component in close collaboration with the components leads
• Maintain data files (electronically and manually) and manage internal databases
• Represent WL at meetings and conferences, relevant to the subject and themes of the portfolio and disseminate information regarding WL, as requested
• Prepare briefings and program materials
• Perform other tasks as assigned

Qualifications and requirements

• A masters’ degree in Education, development or related field
• Project management and administration experience is required
• Good understanding of education concepts and issues in development context
• Demonstrable research capacities with hands-on experience in report writing, analytical pieces desirable
• Good analytical skills with good planning and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent proficiency in oral and written communication skills in English and preferably Arabic
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities.
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability
• Strong IT skills