JOB DETAILS:
Position Description:
SI is seeking a Tanzanian Education Context Specialist to support T-MELA with the Jifunze Uelewe Mid-term evaluation. The estimated level of effort (LOE) for the Specialist will be 58 days with expected travel of up to 21 days in Tanzania. The Specialist will report directly to the evaluation Team Leader.

The Tanzanian Education Context Specialist shall be an English speaker with strong experience in the education sector, with EGRA and EGMA assessments, and the overall Tanzanian education system. She/he will provide technical support to the evaluation team through all stages of the evaluation, responsible for leading the team in generating all key deliverables including a Design Report, Draft Evaluation Report, Final Evaluation Report, and other key knowledge products. The Education Specialist will conduct data collection in Tanzania along with the evaluation specialist, and the Tanzanian Education context specialist; and will work with a data collection firm to collect and analyze EGRA and EGMA data. She/he will work under the guidance of the Senior Assessment and Evaluation Specialist in Tanzania and SI’s Project Director in Washington DC.

Responsibilities:
The Education Specialist will:
1. Content Analysis & Research Design:
o Contribute to the development of the mixed-methods mid-term performance evaluation strategy, ensuring alignment with the educational objectives of the JU initiative.
o Contribute to survey design, sampling, and other quantitative aspects of the evaluation design.
o Assure that evaluation tools like EGRA and EGMA are appropriately employed and interpreted.
2. Stakeholder Engagement & Interviews:
o Lead or co-lead interviews with key educational stakeholders, such as personnel at the Tanzania Institute of Education, Zanzibar Institute of Education, Regional Education Officers, District Education Officers, and Ward Education officers.
o Engage with teachers, quality assurance inspectors, and other educational staff to obtain ground-level insights into the program's implementation and impacts.
3. Data Interpretation & Report Development:
o Analyze data obtained from the evaluation methods, with a focus on assessing educational outcomes related to literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills.
o Collaborate with the evaluation team to draft sections of the mid-term report that pertain specifically to educational progress and challenges.
o Provide recommendations, based on evidence, for improving the efficacy of the JU program in achieving its educational aims.
4. Teacher and Curriculum Assessment:
o Assess the quality and relevance of teaching and learning materials (TLMs) and their alignment with the curriculum.
o Examine teacher absenteeism rates, incentives, and monitoring mechanisms, and suggest evidence-based solutions to any challenges identified.
o Evaluate the implementation of the phonics-based teaching approach and other methods intended to improve students' learning outcomes.
5. Capacity Building & Training:
o Provide insights into the effectiveness of capacity-building efforts by JU, such as the training and support offered to Ward Education Coordinators, teachers, and school administrators.
o Offer recommendations for enhancing these training initiatives based on evaluation findings.

Qualifications and Skills:
• A minimum of a master’s degree in education.
• The local consultant shall have experience and knowledge about the education context in Tanzania, particularly on early grade reading and numeracy, working with the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST), and the district level regional education offices.
• Strong background in designing and implementing quantitative surveys, such as household surveys or facility assessments.
• Experience designing and/or implementing EGRA and/or EGMA for USAID strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in using statistical software packages, such as SPSS and/or STATA for data management and analysis.
• Fluency in English and Swahili, both written and spoken, to effectively communicate with project stakeholders and conduct research activities.
• Familiarity with the local culture, customs, and social norms in Tanzania to ensure culturally sensitive research practices and interpretation of findings.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for building rapport with research participants and working collaboratively with project stakeholders.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills to disseminate evaluation findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel to remote project sites within Tanzania, as needed.