Weekly announcements
June 27th, 2013
1.Call for Papers: Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education in Countries Experiencing
Demographic Changes (Global Education Review Vol. 2(1), Feb. 2015)
2.Job Opportunity: Recruiting a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist for Pakistan,
Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development
3.Job Opportunity: Research and Engagement Associate
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research
4.Job Opportunity: FHI 360 recruiting for a COP and Director of Finance and Administration
for a Tertiary Education Program in Afghanistan
1. Call for Papers: Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education in Countries that are Experiencing Demographic Changes (Global Education Review Vol. 2(1), Feb. 2015)
At a global level, there is a growing trend toward universal educational services for young children. For example, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has tracked initiatives for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in several developed countries demonstrating the growing understanding of the cumulative benefits of investing in young children. At the same time, worldwide patterns of migration and changing demographics highlight the importance of universal access to early experiences that prepare children to enter school. However, the issues surrounding cultural and linguistic diversity challenge many early childhood professionals who struggle to find best practices that will support all children. This issue of the Global Education Review seeks to identify emerging trends and salient issues in ECEC across countries that are experiencing changes in demographics.
Submissions should address some or all of these questions:
• What are the patterns of demographics in your country?
• What are the cultural and linguistic challenges young children face as they enter school?
• What practices or approaches are utilized with children who do not speak the country’s official language?
• In what ways are children encouraged to become bilingual or multilingual?
• To what extent is bilingual instruction made available in early education?
• What salient issues
Please send an abstract of no more than 250 words to: . Abstracts will be reviewed for suitability for inclusion within ten days. Full papers are due by March 1, 2014
For more information, please visit
2. Job Opportunity: Recruiting a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist for Pakistan, Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development
The Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development seeks an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) specialist to work with the Strengthening Teacher Education in Pakistan (STEP) project funded by CIDA and AKF, Canada. STEP is a large project jointly managed by the Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan and AKU-IED and is being implemented by AKU-IED in Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces of Pakistan. The project life is from 2008 to February 2015.
To strengthen the project management, particularly the M&E component, AKU-IED is recruiting a senior M&E specialist (preferably with experience of working with CIDA funded projects/programmes) for 1.5 to 2 years. He/she will be based in Karachi but travel frequently to the project provinces. A complete Terms of Reference is attached
To apply, please send a complete CV, a letter of interest, including an indication of your availability, and three or four references addressed to Mir A. Tajik, Acting Director, AKU-IED, Karachi at . The position is open immediately, so candidates will be considered as applications are received.
3. Job Opportunity: Research and Engagement Associate, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research
The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research is seeking an exceptional and highly motivated individual to serve as a Research and Engagement Associate. The position serves as a bridge between the Foundation’s Research and Community Engagement divisions and offers a unique opportunity to both conduct research and assist in its dissemination. Key responsibilities include providing support for the Foundation’s research activities (planning, organizing, data collection/analysis), building relationships with external stakeholders, scholars, and researchers, editing publications, organizing events, creating various written, visual, and multimedia communications, and promoting the Foundation’s initiatives to local, regional, and international audiences.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, or related field (Master’s degree is preferred), have an excellent command of written and spoken English, superior IT skills, and at least two years relevant work experience. Prior involvement with research at the university level or in a professional setting will be strongly considered. Fluency in Arabic, experience with film editing software (Final Cut Pro), and previous international experience is advantageous but not essential. The successful candidate will have a passion for research and strong commitment to capacity development work. A complete position description is attached here: Research and Engagement Associate.
Compensation:
A generous remuneration package is provided and includes furnished accommodation, health insurance, one month leave, and an annual (economy-class) plane ticket to country of origin.
Application Process:
Please send cover letter, CV, contact details for three references (including nature/length of relationship to the applicant), and two academic or professional writing samples to . Applicants where English is a second language should also include a copy of an IELTS or TOEFL score report with their materials.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until Monday, July 8, 2013. Initial interviews will be conducted over Skype or the phone, and finalists will be flown to Ras Al Khaimah for an in-person interview. Anticipated start date is September 2013.
The Al Qasimi Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), a northern emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its mission is to aid in the social, cultural, and economic development of RAK and the UAE through high-quality research, strategic capacity development, and purposeful community engagement.
4. Job Opportunity: FHI 360 recruiting for a COP and Director of Finance and Administration for a Tertiary Education Program in Afghanistan
- Chief of Party, Strengthening Tertiary Education Program
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief of Party in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Program Description
Under the USAID Strengthening Tertiary Education Program-University Partnerships for Afghanistan (STEP-UP) program, the institutional capacity of the MoHE and universities will be strengthened and the quality and relevance of the higher education system will be improved. The intention is to promote and support larger universities in Kabul and the USG-designated Regional Economic Zone (REZs) that in turn would serve as models to reach out and support smaller public universities in their respective zone. STEP-UP plans to focus on up to 10 major universities within the REZs. The selected universities will strive to meet student demand for higher education in large urban centers and address the human resource requirements of the private sector in the more vibrant urban markets.
Position Description:
·The Chief of Party (COP) shall be responsible for the overall management of the program and will report directly to the designated USAID Agreements Officer Representative (AOR). S/he shall supervise program implementation and staff and serve as the principle interlocutor with USAID and key stakeholders including the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) officials and other government agencies and will ensure the program meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The COP takes the leadership role in coordination among various partners, and sub-recipients and/or contractors. In addition, the COP shall be responsible for the following:
·Plans, directs, and coordinates activities for designated projects to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
·Reviews project proposals and plans to determine scheduling, budget, procedures, staffing, and allotment of resources needed for projects.
·Establishes work plans, project teams, and SOPs to meet project goals and ensure compliance with policies.
·Develops proposals and researches sources for funding projects.
·Provides guidance and training to managers and staff to achieve project goals.
·Participates in the strategic development of methods and techniques with executive management.
·Establishes, serves and maintains partnerships with internal and external stakeholders on project matters.
·Provide leadership to the project team, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, encouraging effective team-work.
·Responsible for induction of project staff, ensuring their familiarity with mandate values, quality standards, policies and program objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.
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Minimum Requirements:
The COP shall have an advanced degree (minimum a Master’s degree) in a relevant field from an accredited university. S/he shall also have at least 10 years of experience in managing and implementing higher education programs in developing countries, and specifically in a senior manager position. At least three years of experience shall be within a conflict or post-conflict country. The COP shall have demonstrated diplomatic, management and interpersonal skills to ensure internal coherence among diverse team members, as well as relations with the GIRoA, donors and the international community.
- Director, Finance and Administration
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of Finance and Administration in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Program Description
Under the USAID Strengthening Tertiary Education Program-University Partnerships for Afghanistan (STEP-UP) program, the institutional capacity of the MoHE and universities will be strengthened and the quality and relevance of the higher education system will be improved. The intention is to promote and support larger universities in Kabul and the USG-designated Regional Economic Zone (REZs) that in turn would serve as models to reach out and support smaller public universities in their respective zone. STEP-UP plans to focus on up to 10 major universities within the REZs. The selected universities will strive to meet student demand for higher education in large urban centers and address the human resource requirements of the private sector in the more vibrant urban markets.
Position Description:
·Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) shall work under the leadership of the Chief of Party and will be responsible for all aspects of STEP-UP’s financial, operations, and administrative management. S/he should have extensive experience of at least five years in large and complex program financial and administrative management, including financial controls and audit, as well as reporting on accruals, pipeline, and contract and personnel management. S/he should also have experience with donor organizations, and ideally with USAID.
· Provides strategic leadership to the financial analyst staff in a local, regional or HQ office. Able to work with multiple country finance departments.
· Prepares financial guidance to field offices through memos, updates to policies, and procedure manuals.
· Assign and audit the work of the finance department, while providing guidance to staff. Monitors and updates the departmental budget.
· Engaged in the more critical and confidential aspects of financial analysis. Provides final decision making on projects and problems that may cross functional boundaries.
· Responsible for the development of policies, systems, special financial studies, etc. of major importance.
· Duties require broad conceptual judgment, initiative and ability to deal with a wide range of finance issues.
· Works with confidential data, which if disclosed, might have significant internal and / or external effect.
· Manages the operational and strategic functions for the finance department to ensure compliance and efficiency.
· Providerecommendations and consuls with management on financial performance and enterprise risk management.
· Develops and implements process improvement plans for department to ensure financial controls and operational procedures.
· Provide leadership in financial reporting for annual budget planning, audit reviews and assessments processes.
· Keeps abreast with the latest trends in financial accounting and mentors staff.
· Develop capacity of team performance and drive for excellence.
Minimum Requirements:
The DFA shall have an advanced management or financial degree (Master’s degree) from an accredited university. S/he shall have at least seven years of experience in senior finance and administration management experience, with at least four years of experience in developing countries. Previous experience in conflict or post-conflict countries is desired.
FHI 360 has a competitive compensation package. Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at or through the Employment section at Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source in your application.
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