English in Action (EIA) is a nine-year (2008-2017) English language education programme aiming to develop communicative English language skills for 25 million people in Bangladesh. EIA is funded by UK Government and works closely with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) and the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of Bangladesh. To enhance the quality of learning in schools, EIA uses a combination of existing and new methods, including interactive audio technology, mobile-technology, print and ICT based materials. The programme is being implemented by the consortium led by BMB Mott MacDonald (The Netherlands), partnering with The Open University (UK).
The main objective of the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Unit is to enable management and implementation teams involved in the delivery of the programme to make informed decisions relating to policy and practice. The Quality Assurance (QA) system built into to the primary and secondary schools component aims to ensure that need-based measures, adaptations and refinements are implemented as the project progresses. The Unit also undertakes research and evaluation activities. These take the form of baseline studies and major longitudinal and cohort studies that contribute to strategic decision-making related to classroom practice, English language competence and perceptions of participating teachers and students.
Position: Deputy Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation | Technical Area: Research, Monitoring & Evaluation (RME) Period of assignment: Present to December 2016 | Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh | Reports to: EIA International Head of RME
A. General description of the assignment
The Deputy Head of RME will assist and support the Head of RME in providing academic leadership to the development of the English in Action (EIA) Quality Assurance and Research strategy. S/he will also assist the Head in managing the RME team activities in Bangladesh. S/he will be responsible for the overall planning, management and facilitation of the various EIA Project inputs in relation to the design, development, conduct and reporting of quantitative and qualitative information and data on Quality Assurance (QA) at various levels of EIA’s logical framework. S/he will work in cross cutting institutionalisation and sustainability and advocacy activities of EIA and will ensure that EIA standards in field level data collection, analysis and management are maintained.
B. Responsibilities
The Depty Head, RME will work with the head of the RME team, to lead and manage the team in carrying out the tasks presented below. The areas of responsibilities include:
Institutionalisation and Sustainability
Liaise and work with relevant GoB departments and organisations to embed M&E in the government system
Work with the different teams in EIA to ensure that information from research and QA reports is shared appropriately with project staff and stakeholders
Prepare publications, reports, and presentations for project stakeholders
Identify relevant conferences, seminars and similar events for information dissemination and lead project staff applications for the same
Quality Assurance and Research
Provide advice to ensure the functionality of EIA Quality Assurance (QA) system
Analyse monitoring/QA reports, identify potential bottlenecks in project implementation and identify and capture lessons learned and implications for the project’s next steps
Undertake regular field visits to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed
Provide advice to ensure sound design and implementation of research activities i.e. quasi-experimental study and qualitative studies
Be an active member of the cross-project RME Coordination Group
Capacity Building
Train relevant project staff and stakeholders to use project monitoring and evaluation tools
Lead organization of internal and external trainings, workshops and meetings on best practices
Coordination and Management
Plan and coordinate RME team activities, including daily workload of Research Officers in the RME team and contribute to their capacity building
Ensure sound communication within the RME team, as well as between RME, BMB Mott MacDonald and Open University team members RME, and ensure representation of RME on internal and external meetings
Prepare planning and budget for the RME events, and report on financial and physical progress
Other relevant responsibilities
Qualification and Skills
Minimum Masters degree in English Language Teaching/ Educational Research – preferably MPhil with research in English Language teaching.
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office software, preferably also research-related software (e.g. SPSS)
Excellent report writing and verbal communication skills in English and Bangla
Good time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to meet tight deadlines
Good diplomatic skills
Good team player, as well as ability to work independently
General Experience
Minimum 3 years of work experience in coordinating activities of research team and ability to take initiative
Minimum 5 years of experience in undertaking quality research and knowledge of diverse range of research methods
Experience in capacity building of government stakeholders, as well as project team members
Experience in organising and conducting seminars and workshops
Experience in planning and budgeting of activities
Experience in managing a team is an advantage
Specific Experience
Work experience in Monitoring and Evaluation and Quality Assurance
Experience in design of research tools
Experience in design and implementing need-based research studies
Experience of work in international donor-funded projects and development cooperation will be an advantage
Able to translate technical research results into common language for communication/advocacy purposes
Contract: Initially up to 31 March 2016, with a possibility to renew.
How to apply:
Candidates meeting the above requirements should email his/her CV to career@eiabd.com by 20 June 2015. Please mention the name of the position in the subject line.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information about the project visit www.eiabd.com
EIA is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting a diversified work place.