AVU Program Officer (Lusophone) Vacancy Job in Kenya

Program Officer Lusophone

Introduction

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies.

A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by eight (8) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania Mozambique, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts:

(a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and

(b) Not-for-profit development services.

The, Not-for-profitdevelopment services, aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities:

• updating and developing content;
• Open Educational Resources (OER) Development;
• AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP);
• set up/upgrade ODeL centers;
• developing professional networks through Communities of Practices;
• Research and Development; and
• Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.

Some of the Not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries.

The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries.

The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 22 African countries.

The project has the following activities:

1. Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions;
2. Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education (TE), Computer Science (CS), and Peace and Conflict Resolution;
3. Gender Mainstreaming
4. Research and Development;
5. Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and
6. Enhancement of AVU Capacity .

The AVU Multinational Project II will be implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 22 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (9) Anglophone African Countries: Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

To successfully implement these project activities the AVU wishes to engage a Program Officer Lusophone to undertake activities related to the project particularly in the Lusophone countries of the project.

Scope of Work for the Lusopphone Program Officer

• Provide support to the Project Management and Project Team in the implementation of the project in Lusophone countries
• Participate in planning and budgeting of the education programs’ activities.
• Assist in the identification, recruitment and supervision of relevant consultants.
• Assist in developing an implementing plans for the programs’ activities in Lusophone PIs
• Support the coordination of the activities of the consortia in liaison with the Lusophone PIs.
• Ensure that all programs’ activities are implemented in the Lusophone countries.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanisms for the programs’ activities.
• Assist in ensuring that the logistics for programs’ workshops related to the participation of Lusophone PIs are done in an effective, efficient and timely manner

Deliverables and Expected Outcomes

• Effective implementation of the programs in line with project design in Lusophone Countries.
• Effective supervision of all consultancies related to the activities in the Lusophone PIs.
• Operational and effective programs’ consortia established in the Lusophone PIs.
• Timely and relevant reports on the implementation of the programs’ activities.

Qualifications of the Lusophone Program Officer

• Bachelor degree in Education or related discipline.
• Experience in the implementation of a related program in an inter-Governmental Organization is an asset
• Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, Power Point, Excel, Access, MS Project, Internet Skills, Proficiency in Learning Management Systems.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in Lusophone higher education systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in project management
• Experience in Open, Distance and e-Learning is essential
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated experience in networking.
• Experience in building and leading teams
• Must be Portuguese speaking with bilingual skills in either French or English

Modalities of Work and Timelines

The Lusophone Program Officer will dedicate 8hours a day in 5 days of the week.

Reporting

The Lusophone Program Officer will report to the Multinational Program Manager or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.

Duration

2 years renewable

Payment

The salary will be commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer.

The successful candidate will be appointed on a 2 year contract (renewable).
Application must include a cover letter and a detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses of three professional references.

Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and must have Program Officer Lusophone as the email subject.

In case of any inquiries, these should be sent to avuhr@avu.org.

The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi Kenya

The closing date for this application is March 29th 2012 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3).

Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted.