Project Summary: The Information Technology Applications Center (ITAC) within AED’s Global Learning Group (GLG), focuses on applying information and communications technologies (ICTs) in a wide range of development programs. These programs include increasing access to ICTs by rural and underserved communities as well as specific applications of ICTs for development in sectors such as education, health, democracy and governance, and economic growth. To this end, ITAC works with other AED centers, funding agencies such as USAID, private sector organizations, NGOs and host country governments, and other partners.
Position Summary: The Senior ICT Education Program Officer will be expected to oversee the implementation of several important ongoing and newly started ICT-and-education projects within ITAC including but not limited to education work in Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, and other ICT programs that have significant field presence. The Senior ICT Education Program Officer will also be expected to develop new initiatives and promote technical assistance to existing projects related to ICT and education and other sectors as appropriate, and assist with the development and application of e-learning tools and other products, and work in a collaborative manner on proposal development and writing.
This position is based in Washington, DC with frequent overseas short-term technical assistance envisioned.
Essential Job Functions: Specific responsibilities of the Senior ICT Education Program Officer include:
Project Management and Support: • For Equatorial Guinea, coordinate project support under the Education Development of Equatorial Guinea program to enhance the use of IT for teacher certification and skills development. Activities will be defined by the Chief of Party but are expected to include adaptation of materials for active learning methodologies, instructional based design, and provide training, in Spanish, to educators and master trainers. The program officer will need to educate policy makers on use of IT as a tool for learning so they are aware of the benefits and can become fully engaged partners. While the program officer will collaborate with local technical team in the creation of the computer laboratory, they will be responsible for interpreting the educational content and methodologies into a Web-based Internet program available for teachers across the country.
• For Liberia, coordinate ITAC’s project support to enhance rural teacher training facilities. Responsibilities include liaising with the Chief of Party and responding to requests from USAID/Liberia to ensure the effective achievement of project objectives. The program officer will work closely with the AED field office staff in such areas as helping to integrate the use of ICTs in the teacher training facility, curriculum distribution, and overcoming barriers such as distance by the use of technology. The program officer will help to design training materials, preparing contract actions for USAID as necessary, and help in designing and carrying out technical assistance.
• Conduct other types of technical assistance for ICT and education projects as appropriate, such as assessments, feasibility studies, and work plan development. Other work can include e-content, e-governance, capacity development, curriculum development, and training of trainers.
• Write concept papers, follow-up action memos, scopes of work and draft detailed budgets in consultation with donor staff and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. sub-contractors).
• As appropriate, assist in implementation of other new and ongoing projects within ITAC and other centers in the Academy. Activities include oversight of subcontractors, USAID financial and performance reporting requirements, etc.
Business Development and Proposal Writing: • Play a leadership role in pursuing new business including proposal writing on topics of professional knowledge such as e-learning for on-going professional development, teacher training, secondary education, IT in classroom use, project based learning, IT applications, and programs that improve public access to knowledge through technology, etc.
• Create strategic alliances with private sector partners as a means of increasing business opportunities for AED and ITAC and to meet the cost share options for proposed and ongoing projects.
• Represent ITAC at meetings and conferences to promote project activities and services, and create new opportunities for ITAC to engage in ICT and education and international development work.
• Write case studies, articles, and other publications about ICT for development project activities.
• Develop international market opportunities, new ICT for development practice areas (e.g. Democracy and Governance and IT) and respond to RFPs/RFAs and develop unsolicited proposals as appropriate.
Miscellaneous: • Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of ITAC and by supervisor.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.
Education: Bachelors in one of the following or related fields: Adult & Continuing Education, Adult Education, Anthropology, Applied Anthropology, Communications , Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Computing & Management, Curriculum & Teaching, Dev, Learning & Instruction, Development Studies, Developmental Education, Distance Learning, E.S.L., Early Childhood, Education, Education Agency Administration, Education Planning, Education Policy, Education Psychology, Education Research, Education Theory, Educational Administration, Elementary Education, English, Foreign Affairs, Higher Education, Information Services, Information Systems, Instructional Technology, International Adult Education, International Business, International Education, International Politics, International Relations, International Studies, International Training & Education, Library & Information Sciences, Library & Information Service, Management, Management Information Systems, Project Management, Secondary Education and Telecommunication required or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Masters preferred.
Experience: 7 year(s) of relevant experience required
Specific Knowledge Requirements: • Practical knowledge, skills, and abilities usually acquired through an advanced degree in education, social sciences, business, or related field and a minimum of 7 years of related work experience.
• Experience with and strong skills in project management, budget management, and technical assistance especially with respect to USAID-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience with applying information and communication technologies to address a broad mix of development problems and increase the impact of projects and program.
• Experience working in ten or more developing world countries applying ICT and education to development challenges, including demonstrable experience to find creative solutions to ICT hurdles; preference for Africa experience.
• Willingness to rapidly learn and thoroughly apply AED management and procurement practices.
• Knowledge of USAID desirable.
Skills: • Excellent analytical skills, ability to think conceptually and strategically and to work without supervision as times, as well as to work as a member of a team consisting of people with different technical backgrounds and with people with varying levels of technical training.
• Ability to apply monitoring and evaluation strategies, guidelines and tools for reporting results to clients.
• Strong skills and background in business development, especially involving USAID and other donors including World Bank, Gates Foundation, as well as constructing public-private partnerships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.) and skills with using the Internet to improve the effectiveness of businesses and projects.
• A self-managed learner who continuously enhances and expands their computer Internet and web-based skills to enhance the effectiveness of the AED project with limited financial resources.
• Outstanding communications and interpersonal skills. Strong ability to write for a variety of audiences as demonstrated by publishing journal articles, brochures, papers, reports, etc.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Spanish. Must be able to conduct training in both languages.
• Ability to travel overseas (projected up to twenty-five percent of time).
Additional Information: Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervision required, although will interact with people in field and must work collaboratively with DC based staff
Equipment To Be Used: Computer
Typical Physical Demands: N/A
Working Conditions including Travel and Overtime: • Ability to travel overseas (projected up to twenty-five percent of time).
Interested applicants should send resume with cover letter referencing position #BP7126DX to: AED/HR, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; fax: (202) 884-8413 or email: . For additional information, visit our website at .
We thank all individuals for their interest in AED, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Individuals responding to job postings are considered applicants if you meet the following criteria: (1) have expressed interest through the Internet, email or other related technologies, (2) are considered by the AED for a particular position, (3) possess the basic qualifications for the position and (4) do not at any point remove yourself from consideration.
AA/EOE/M/F/D/V
