AVU Programs Officer Job in Kenya

Job Title: Programs Officer

1. Introduction
 

i. The African Virtual University (AVU): The AVU is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies. 

A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by nineteen (19) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Cape Verde. 

The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts: 

(a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and 

(b) Not-for-profit development services. 

The Not-for-profit development services aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities: 

• updating and developing content; 
• Open Educational Resources (OER) Development; 
• AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); 
• set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; 
• Research and Development; and 
• Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.

Some of the not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries with 12 participating institutions.
 

ii. The AfDB-funded Multinational Support Project: The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries. 

The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 21 African countries. 

The project has the following activities:

(1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions; 

(2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace and Conflict Resolution; 

(3) Gender Mainstreaming 

(4) Research and Development; 

(5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and 

(6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity .
 

The AVU Multinational Project II is being implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (8) Anglophone African Countries: Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

To successfully implement the activities related to the development of the education programs in the project, the AVU wishes to engage a Programs Officer to undertake the administrative tasks. 

The Programs officer will work with the Educational Technology and Learning Resources (ET&LR) unit in the implementation of the following programs: 

(i) Open Distance and eLearning Professional Development (ODeLPD); Teacher Education (TEP); Applied Computer Science (ACSP); and Peace Management and Conflict Resolution (PM&CR).

2. Scope of Work
 

The Programs’ Officer will be responsible for the following tasks in the ET&LR Unit:

• Coordinating the engagement process of the required consultant in the unit
• Ensuring the consultants and Subject matter experts have been issued with contracts in a timely manner
• Processing the payments of the consultants
• Managing the communication in terms of drafting letters and or emails in the programs
• Assisting in compiling Unit’s Reports
• Meticulously keeping all records of the processes in the unit, that is, managing the filing (electronic and manual) system of all processes’ records.
• Drafting letters, scheduling appointments and providing support in development of presentations and public awareness materials
• Making logistical arrangements for seminars, workshops, study tours, conferences and coordinating travel arrangements for the unit
• Liaising with procurement and finance offices for timely acquisition of goods and services required
• Coordinating the translation of Unit’s documents and modules in the unit by external firms(s)
• Translating short administrative documents
• Arranging and taking notes in Unit’s meeting and file them accordingly
• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

3. Deliverables and Expected Outcomes

• Well-coordinated and documented processes in the ET&LR unit
• Contracts and payment of consultants and SMEs done in a timely manner
• Well-arranged and documented meetings
• Timely and relevant communication with stake holders in the Unit’s activities
• Reports drafted and finalized as needed
• Units seminars and workshops (virtual of face to face) meticulously planned and implemented
• Units travel logistics efficiently arranged
• Units required goods and services acquired in a timely manner
• Well-coordinated translation process for the Units documents and modules
• Short administrative documents translated as requested
• Other duties requested accomplished as agreed

4. Qualifications of the Programs Officer

• University degree in Languages and Literature/Social Sciences/Business studies or a related subject is required.
• At least five years relevant working experience
• Good understanding of budgeting and financial management procedures
• Proficiency in database applications and MS office suit
• Experience in an NGO or international organization environment is an added advantage
• Good interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience in planning, organizing and co-ordination of meetings and workshops
• Demonstrated office Management skills and experience gained in a busy office
• Ability to work under tight schedules and willingness to put in extra hours
• Ability to work under minimum supervision
• Excellent oral and written bi-lingual communication skills in English and French; or English and Portuguese. Tri-lingual skills in English, Portuguese and French are an added advantage.

5. Modalities of Work and Timelines: The officer will work full time dedicating 8 hours in a day for 5 days a week
 

6. Duration: The successful candidate will be appointed for 12 months.
 

7. Reporting: The Programs Officer will report to the Manager, Educational Technology &Learning Resources or any other person that the AVU may appoint from time to time.
 

8. Payment: The officer will be paid at a monthly rate commensurate with his/her education and experience

How to Apply

Application must include an application letter and detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses of three professional references. 

Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and must have Programs Officer as the email subject. 

The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The organization requires to fill this position urgently and therefore applications will be reviewed as they are received.

The African Virtual University (AVU) is an equal opportunity employer.

Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Website: www.avu.org