Do you want to play a critical role in creating and delivering innovative approaches to improve learnings outcomes for children in Ghana & Sierra Leone?

Background

This is an operational lead role to represent Sustainable Development Goals Outcomes Fund (SDG OF), managed by Bridges Outcomes Partnerships. This role will report to Programme Director and will support the delivery of the Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC) and Ghana Education Outcomes Programme (GEOP).

Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC)

The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has partnered with the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) and FCDO to design and support SLEIC to achieve the following goals:

1. Improve learning outcomes (literacy and numeracy) and achievement of thresholds of minimum competencies in targeted primary schools. The programme has a specific focus on improving girls' learning and aims to facilitate the implementation of distance-learning interventions (if required) to offset the setbacks in learning from school closures.

2. Inform which interventions and financing approaches are most effective to improve learning outcomes in education.

3. Build sustainable capacity in schools to deliver equitable learning outcomes.

4. Build delivery partner capacity so that a stronger, more outcomes focused pool of non-state providers is available to support education delivery.

5. Increase outcomes-orientation in policy making including but not limited to incorporating outcomes-based financing into future Government of Sierra Leone programming and international education financing.

6. Improve coordination in the education sector including with Government and donors towards the achievement of equitable education outcomes.

Interventions are expected to be implemented across 5 contractual lots, each with its own delivery partner and unique approach. SDG OF is partnering with three different delivery partners, EducAid, Steet Child and Rising Academies, for delivery in Lots 1,2 & 3, respectively.

Implementation for SLEIC started in September 2022 and is expected to conclude in September 2025.

Ghana Education Outcomes Programme (GEOP)

The Government of Ghana has obtained World Bank’s funding to support the government’s strategy to improve basic education in Ghana, called Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP). Part of this programme of work has been commissioned based on outcomes with the objective of “strengthening support for schools and Out of School Children (OOSC)”.

The programme will be delivered in approximately 22 rural districts, along with Kumasi and Accra urban centres. The rural districts are grouped into six contracting Lots with 85-100 schools each, with the two urban centres acting as another Lot. The programme will consist of two key components: (1) Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) to support OOSC transition into mainstream schools and (2) Mainstream School Improvement Programme (MSIP) to support learning in GALOP beneficiary schools.

Out of the 6 rural lots, SDGOF is partnering with 2 different delivery partners, Rising and EducAid, to support interventions in Lot 3 and Lot 6. Implementation for GEOP started in January 2023 and is expected to conclude in December 2026.

For more details, visit https://www.bridgesoutcomespartnerships.org/

1. Purpose

The Operational Lead will be accountable for:

• Leading data analysis activities across both programmes (SLEIC and GEOP)

• Undertaking and standardising data analysis activities (including enhancements to services, systems and processes) across programmes, by working alongside Director and Education Specialist

• Leading development of templates and processes for delivery partners to support operational excellence in delivery

• Leading on meeting all reporting requirements for the programme, including creation of data for impact reporting, reporting to commissioners and reporting to Board packs

• Supporting delivery partner´s on data capacity

2. Key Responsibilities

Delivery Impact

• Contribute to development of an M&E framework for each education programme that monitors the impact of projects and progress towards strategic and operational objectives.

• Bring data analyst teams across delivery partners together to resolve problems/issues and collectively identify solutions to improve service delivery.

Process Improvement

• Lead strategic thinking on improving team efficiency.

• Adjust/adapt working files to maximise usability/performance, understand existing practices and assess opportunities for improvement.

• Identifying opportunities for process automation and improving utilisation of management data

Data Analysis

• Produce high-quality statistical analysis and impact reporting which helps to engage various stakeholders; producing meaningful insight for colleagues with short, medium, and long-term forecasts to improve programme impact in delivering positive social outcomes.

• Ensure data dashboards are relevant and provide the necessary early warning mechanisms to identify priorities for action.

• Lead management of data analysts by providing constant mentorship and support in completion of their roles and responsibilities.

• Ensure attention to detail and accuracy, paying close attention to grammar and proofing of any documents.

Data Integrity

• Collating and updating volumetric and programme data and systems, continually developing and refining data collection processes.

• Ensuring compliance with data protection legislations when retaining and sharing information.

• Identifying opportunities for process automation and ease of access to information.

Impact Presentation

• Providing a consistent, aggregated representation of project performance against targets.

• Working closely with Programme Director, represent Programme updates by creating and presenting engaging and accurate presentations of programme outcomes and milestones.

• Able to translate information to suit a variety of audiences, including more formal forums.

Relationship Management

• Working in collaboration with colleagues to identify better ways of working to reduce need for manual manipulation of data where possible.

• Work closely with Programme Director to build professional and impactful relationship with our Delivery Partners, ensuring a positive experience of engaging with BOP.

• Working closely with finance and investment teams to track programme invoicing and financial model of the project.

• Proactive participation in stakeholder meetings and forums, remaining actively focused and attentive to discussions.

Market Development and Pipeline

• Support investment teams to scope market opportunities in target countries and conduct due diligence, as per need, to develop early-stage pipeline opportunities.

3. Experience, Skills, and Abilities

To take on the above responsibilities, we will be looking for you to demonstrate strengths in the following competencies:

• 1 to 3 three years relevant post-graduate professional experience in education, international development, consulting, or similar sectors.

• Curious and Inquisitive: You crave knowledge and consistently seek learning opportunities. You look for patterns and ask questions that nobody else has thought to ask.

• Data and Analytical Skills: You are good with numerical data and analysis and are able to accurately assimilate information and develop critical insights to inform decisions.

• Problem Solving: You can make sense of something complex and recommend practical solutions.

• Adaptable: You can adapt easily to changes in work. You are flexible and act as an advocate for change.

• Communication: You can confidently communicate your ideas verbally and in writing. You can simplify complexities and adapt your communication so others can understand.

• Autonomy: You take ownership of your tasks and can plan and manage your own time to achieve them.

• Relationship Building and Teamwork: You can build credible and trusting relationships both internally and externally.

• Attention to Detail: You are detail focussed and you ensure the work you produce is accurate and of a high quality.

• IT and Data Analytic Skills: You have a strong working knowledge and understanding of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and you embrace the opportunity to learn new IT applications.

• Previous Power BI experience would be advantageous.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The remuneration offered will be commensurate with experience. We offer an attractive salary package and benefits along with a tremendous learning opportunity to grow with an international team that is currently leading the market in supporting outcomes contracts across the globe.

• The health and wellbeing of our employees is really important to us.  We will offer a range of benefits to you, including enhanced family friendly policies, employee healthcare benefits, employee protection benefits, an employee assistance programme, alongside other well-being initiatives to promote a healthier working environment.

• You will receive 25 days’ annual leave, birthday leave day plus bank holidays, and a 5% contribution to the company pension scheme.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will close at 9am Monday 4th December but early application is recommended as applications will be considering on a rolling basis. It is anticipated that 1st round interviews will be scheduled for w/c 11th December