The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries.
AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.

POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.

Schools2030 is a globally informed, locally rooted 10-year longitudinal action research and learning improvement Programme (from 2020-2030) working with 100 cohorts of students and teachers in pre-schools, primary schools, and secondary schools across 3 provinces of Afghanistan. The Project Coordinator will also be working with neighboring non-supported schools and provincial / district education technical and professional development staff to further strengthen the education system. Schools2030 aims to find out ‘what works’ in equipping children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to successfully navigate uncertainty and become contributing members of society and supporting such ‘positive deviance’ strategies to improve learning outcomes.

Goal of Schools2030 is to support Afghanistan government accelerate their progress in achieving SDG4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) and SDG8 (Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all).

The Project Coordinator, Education (Assessment and Learning) for Schools2030 in Afghanistan is responsible to collect, process, validate the data from 100 cohorts and provide reports on positive deviance in the project supported schools at the end of each academic year and working in close collaboration with the National Schools2030 Coordinator, the broader Schools2030 global team, and the regional education team.

S/he will be based in Kabul, with regular travel to project areas (Bamyan, Baghlan, and Badakhshan).
 
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Adapt and mentor field staff on regular program data collection tools, KOBO application, and database to use throughout the year that meet the quality and reporting requirements set by Global team.
•    Review and adapt (as necessary) existing student assessment tools and classroom learning environment tools as per the local context, using available resources, evaluation of existing tools, and previous Schools2030 learning (including the collation of documents and translations into local language).
•    Design and deliver capacity building plan (may include feedback sessions, group/individual mentoring, and workshops) for field staff, teachers, and PED/DED technical and professional development staff, to effectively integrate student assessment tools and learning into regular teaching methodologies and measure / analyze the assessment data to inform best practices and continued improvement to ensure tools and strategies meet the needs and demands of teachers.
•    Continually identify assessment for learning solutions, strategies, and tools that demonstrate impact and potential for scale; and support the country team to interpret assessment findings and identifying implications   for national education policy.
•    Conduct annual assessment (baseline and endline) in coordination with AKF Regional Education team and schools to document the solutions, how the schools are implementing the solutions, linkages between solutions and learning outcomes, and recommendations for program improvement and scale up.
•    Prepare case studies of ‘positive deviance’ strategies, going back to the schools to understand the reasons behind the changes based on analysis of the learning outcomes data and interviews with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
•    Prepare annual report at the end of each academic year on Schools2030 solutions, outcomes, and learnings that will be shared with Global team and International Showcase event.
•    To carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy.
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor support AKF education program.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
NA

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    University Degree in humanitarian affairs, education, social science, development studies or any other field related to research and learning.
•    Good command of English, verbal, and written.
•    Strong cross-cultural communication and resilience skills are very important.
•    Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different backgrounds, especially working with schools and teachers.
•    At least 5 years’ experience in the field of education programs’ Monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
•    Able to work in unstable and uncertain environments, independently and in a team.
•    Experience in and mentoring field staff.
•    Proven experience in the design of formative assessment strategies and tools and producing high-quality reports.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    Demonstrates commitment to AKF's mission and to the wider AKDN system; demonstrates the values of AKF in daily activities and behaviors; seeks out new challenges; assignments and responsibilities; promotes AKF's cause.
•    Maintains high ethical standards, addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behavior, and does not abuse power or authority.
 
•    Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible.
•    Deals with co-workers and supervisor as per the predefined manner and takes no illogical actions that offend the team.

APPLICATION

Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 11th November 2024.

Important Notes:
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage.
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Grade C based on NTA Salary scale.

Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(Afg)’s safeguarding policy.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your details and information shared in this advertisement shall remain confidential.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge.

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org.  Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.

Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times.

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.