Access and Equity Specialist at Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria

Access and Equity Specialist

16164BR

Education

The Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) is a six year DFID programme of education development assistance and is a part of a suite of programmes aimed at improvements in governance and the delivery of basic services.
ESSPIN’s aim is to have a sustainable impact upon the way in which government in Nigeria delivers education services and
is directed at enabling institutions to bring about systemic change in the education system, leveraging Nigerian resources in support of State and Federal Education Sector Plans and building capacity for sustainability.
It is currently operating in six States (Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Jigawa and Lagos) and at the Federal level.

The Specialist will work with state partners and to the State Team Leader and with the other Specialists to document and disseminate examples of good practice and will contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme at the state level. The Specialist will develop and contribute to the lesson learning process at the state level, recording successes and obstacles in processes undertaken, developing and contributing to opportunities for reflection and seeking opportunities for dissemination as appropriate.

The State-based Access and Equity Specialist will

On a quarterly basis, review and agree with the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialist in Community Engagement and Learner Participation objectives and targets as well as budgets for activities related to Access and Equity/ School Community Interaction in the StateDraw up quarterly work plans to be agreed with the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialists in Community Engagement and Learner ParticipationProvide direct specialist inputs as per agreed work plans, interacting with government and other stakeholders as necessary, and overseeing the work of organisations contracted at the state level as appropriate in collaboration with state partnersProvide briefing and guidance on State-specific conditions and issues to visiting short-term consultantsOn a regular basis, work with Social Mobilization Department of SUBEB to support SBMC development in the state and ensure timely report of outcomesParticipate in regular specialist team meetings for the Community Engagement and Learner Participation.Submit monthly reports to the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialist in Community Engagement and Learner Participation.
These reports will focus on progress, issues and next steps in accordance with the guidelines set out in the ESSPIN consultant management handbook.Assist the State Team Leader and Lead Specialist in Community Engagement and Learner Participation in compiling quarterly and annual reports for ClientsQuarterly objectives and work plans agreed with the State Team Leader and the Lead Specialists in Community Engagement and Learner ParticipationMonthly reports and budget forecastQuarterly SMO
and CSO reportsContributions to quarterly external reports to clients

Qualifications/experience

A minimum of a degree-level qualification in a relevant area and experience of working in education, community development or social sector reform in NigeriaExtensive experience of working with communities and CSOsExperience of providing professional inputs in development assistance programmesExperience of working with Nigerian government and civil society groupsPractical knowledge of educational development issues in Nigeria.Knowledge of current international literature on Social Development and Community sensitisation and mobilisationKnowledge of monitoring and evaluation and of qualitative research methodologyKnowledge of Nigerian Government structures and systems particularly Kano state contextKnowledge of the capacity constraints that may hamper effective and efficient actionAbility to manage change through other peopleAbility to provide constructive guidance and feedback to other professionalsAbility to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a member of a teamAbility to manage multiple work schedules and achieve set targets