Ministry of Education
BUILDING EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS THROUGH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (BEFIT) PROGRAMME
VACANCIES
Malawi Government through the Ministry of Education (MoE) is implementing the Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) Programme to improve primary school children’s acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills using education technology supplementing teacher efforts in schools across Malawi. Within the MoE, the programme is being led by the Directorate of Open Distance and eLearning (DODeL) and Directorate of Basic Education (DBE).
The BEFIT Programme is a national roll out of a tablet-based learning intervention to all pupils in Standards 1-4 in public primary schools of Malawi, reaching approximately 3.8 million learners in 6,000 public primary schools. The programme is being implemented in six different phases spanning from September 2023 to August 2029.
The BEFIT Programme goal is to improve pupil learning outcomes in reading and numeracy through supplemental use of individualized, self-paced instruction delivered through specialized apps on Android tablets.
The BEFIT Programme is implemented by the Ministry of Education with support from a consortium made up of Imagine Worldwide (IW), Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and onebillion (OB). The Ministry of Education is the Lead Implementing Entity, while IW, VSO and OB (the software developer) will provide the technical, operational, and coordination support. The overall programme management, technical services provision and coordination is being provided through a Programme Implementation Management Unit (PIMU).
Therefore, the BEFIT Programme invites suitably qualified candidates to submit applications for the following vacant positions at the Programme Implementation Management Unit (PIMU).
- COMMUNICATION, ADVOCACY AND GENDER SPECIALIST (1)
Directly Reporting to the National Programme Lead, the Communication, Advocacy and Gender Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that the BEFIT Programme has effective, efficient, and coherent community mobilization, engagement, communication, advocacy and gender justice strategies that that informs the programme policy positions, advocacy and gender transformative agenda, and further support achievement of programme goals and objectives. Specifically, he/she will facilitate communication flows to ensure that BEFIT Programme and its stakeholders receive programme information in a timely manner and format that is adapted to the needs of target audience. He/she will lead in facilitating programme advocacy and influencing activities. Further, he/she will also be responsible for leading the Programme’s gender justice operational strategy ensuring the promotion of diversity, inclusion and equity by facilitating changes in behavior and practices that will bring about a diversity, inclusion and equity sensitive culture across the BEFIT Programme.
The Communication, Advocacy and Gender Specialist will closely collaborate with the communication, advocacy and gender teams at the Ministry of Education and Imagine Worldwide Ltd to ensure appropriate technical support.
This position is part of the BEFIT Programme Leadership Team and will play a vital role in facilitating change management processes for the programme.
The position is based in Lilongwe but expected to travel 15-30% of time to field locations to provide programme implementation support.
Required Education and Experience:
- Master’s level qualification from accredited university in fields such as Gender and development studies, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, Development Communication, Information management or a similar field.
- At least 8 years’ experience in communication, advocacy and dissemination in the development sectors – preferably education.
- Proven practical experience in the communication, information and advocacy within development the sector targeting a wide range of different audiences
- At least 8 years’ demonstrated experience and knowledge in gender transformative approach programming (approaches, tools, methodologies and best practices) especially in education sector; advocacy strategy development; gender analysis; diversity and social inclusion programming with various major donors including USAID, FCDO, World Bank, GPE EU/EC, private sector and various Trust and Foundations.
- Comprehensive understanding and attitude to gender and power relations that encompasses diversity and minority issues and their intersection with poverty and human rights;
- Proven analytical and conceptual thinking, high level research, project management knowledge and skills and experience using participatory tools and methodologies for assessment, programme identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Demonstrated experience in a similar role or senior management role that included similar responsibilities with clear articulation of achievements or contributions.
- Capacity to manage and deliver any communication and advocacy design works.
- Ability to review and edit reports and other written documentation for dissemination and publication.
- Experience in developing and managing social media platforms as well as media liaison and media tools e.g. photography, video etc.
- Ability to communicate with respect and impact, in both written and spoken English.
- Results oriented, able to prioritize and remain focused when faced with competing demands.
Method Of Application
Please submit your application by completing the form in the link below. You will be required to
upload a cover letter and your CV.
Application Form: https://forms.gle/fRfnuqQTPBnPPYTm7
Closing Date: Friday 8th November, 2024.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted