Program Officer, Tajikistan Secondary Schools English Teacher Professional Development Program
Job Details
Job Location
Dushanbe, Tajikistan - Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Position Type
Full Time
Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Officer is part of a team that delivers the Tajikistan Secondary Schools English Teacher Professional Development Program (TSSET) program in Tajikistan, funded for 18 months by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe. Based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Program Officer is responsible for administration, monitoring, and reporting for the nationwide initiative that aims to improve the teaching of English in schools, with emphasis on the secondary level. A three-tiered training and mentorship initiative will target trainers who will receive tailored English training (Tier 1), regional peer mentor teachers (Tier 2) and English teachers in all 4 regions of the country, in the primary cities and in remote areas. The program aims to build greater confidence for English as a Foreign Language teachers, and engage them actively as members of a valued and appreciated English Teaching Corps.
The position reports to the Program Manager who is also based in Dushanbe. The Program Officer supervises day-to-day work of a Program Assistant, and will work with partners and key providers engaged in the project, to include George Mason University, English Without Borders, the Institutes Professional Development, and the Tajikistan Teachers of English Association, as well as with the Ministry of Education and Sciences of Tajikistan, as relates to pre-service teacher training, and with organizations administering complementary projects funded by other donors. As a member of the overall American Councils team in Tajikistan, the Program Officer will also work under the local supervision of the Country Director and Executive Director for Tajikistan, and with a talented team of professional implementing other projects in the sphere of education. A Regional Director in Almaty, Kazakhstan also supports work in the region.
The Program Officer performs duties with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness, while maintaining open communication with the team.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Implementation
- Assist in administering rollout of complex cascade model touching all regions of Tajikistan
- Liaising with subgrantees/ providers, providing programmatic and administrative oversight and advisement to providers
- Advise on synergies with complementary programs of the U.S. government and pursue modifications to maximize efficient use of resources while maintaining focus on project objectives
- Deliver recruitment and enrollment of participants to meet program goals of regional coverage and service to underserved
- Provide for solutions within budget to confront infrastructure challenges
Representation
- Connect regularly with program staff and other American Councils staff, both in Tajikistan and internationally
- Involve a wide variety of current stakeholders appropriately, and build a community of supporters through advocacy
Management
- Reporting project status regularly to Project Manager and supervisory team
- Organize the work group and sequence work to execute complex project
- Ensure active and accurate monitoring and evaluation processes to measure progress against specific targets; implement course corrections as warranted
- Oversee activities of Program Assistant
- Track spending against program budgets, including reconciliation; ensure compliance with federal regulations
- Assist in preparation of regular reports for program funders, as well as monitoring reports as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
General Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g. Education, International Studies, Area Studies)
- Experience in financial management, and working within budgets
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills and ability to be a bridge between culture, particularly to bridge between host country institutions and Embassy;
- Experience working with grant management and large, complex budgets
- Demonstrated administrative, organizational and written and verbal communication skills
- Experience working with and communicating with partner organizations and funders
- Experience in American education (teaching, coaching, etc.)
- Fluency in English and Tajik, Russian preferred.
English as a Second Language Education/Experience
- Certificate of relevant degree in TSEL or TEFL preferred
- 1 to 2 years’ experience in teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language or related field including curriculum materials development
- Experience in designing, managing, monitoring, evaluating, and implementing academic programs in TESL/TEFL
- Experience in conducting needs analysis, student and faculty assessment and evaluation,
- Experience documenting and reporting on English language programs, including program successes, monitoring and evaluation results and recommending policy changes to varied stakeholders.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Strong ability to track progress on interdependent activities and manage a complex schedule
- Flexibility and ability to handle and support colleagues in times of pressure
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities
- Representational abilities and talent building relationships to achieve common goals with varied stakeholders.
- Proficiency with advanced functions in Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, and web browsers is required; experience with MS Office 365 and Sharepoint is desired
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION
This position is salaried. Some weekend and evening work will be required during the program cycle. Travel within Tajikistan will also be required.
CV should not exceed two pages. Cover letter should have maximum 250 words.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.
PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
* Employment is contingent on a successful background screening.