The position will be based in Dar es Salam, Tanzania with travel within Tanzania and possible occasional travel to Kenya and Rwanda. The position will report to the Principal Investigator (PI).
Position Summary
The Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) for Tanzania will provide scientific leadership as well as programmatic direction for project activities in Tanzania related to an anticipated project funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) entitled, “Understanding knowledge systems and what works to promote science technology and innovation in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.” The duration of the project is expected to be approximately 18 months.
The purpose of the project is to research and propose a practical and context-specific knowledge system concept for Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda that is informed by international evidence of what works in innovation and research systems. The project will also propose practical actions and recommendations for effective investments in science, technology and innovation by these countries and their partners. The Co-PI for Tanzania will work in partnership with the PI and Co-PIs in Kenya and Rwanda.
Project Scope and Deliverables
The primary purpose of the DFID project is to bring together robust international evidence and country level research to inform a clear and practical approach for national decision makers in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda and their partners. The emphasis will be to enable a practical understanding and discussions on the theory and evidence of what works, and recommendations for policy makers in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The scope for the entire project in the three target countries may include, but is not limited to, the following activities. The co-PI for Tanzania will undertake the portion of the scope related to Tanzania and contribute to findings and reports for the project as a whole.
A Scoping Exercise to include key stakeholder consultation and review of existing evidence (including grey literature) on Tanzania, contribute to the refinement of the project methodology, draft conceptual framework, methodology for the investment case, develop a workplan for Tanzania and identify and potential constraints.
Review Existing Evidence and Contribute to the Development of the Theoretical Approach to include research available evidence on national knowledge systems in Tanzania, identify evidence gaps, review national systems in other sectors for practices in knowledge systems development, and contribute to the finalisation of the conceptual framework for the analysis of the knowledge system a theory of change and related information.
Map and Describe the Knowledge System in Tanzania to include the types of institutions/actors within the knowledge system, conduct an analysis of the policy environment of the knowledge systems, identify the financial resources within the systems, identify how these institutions/actors interact, and identify and map existing interventions to develop knowledge systems, identify knowledge system gaps and related activities.
Undertake Political Economy Analysis to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the knowledge system in Tanzania, identify barriers and enablers, interests and incentives, identify the roles of formal institutions and informal social, political and cultural norms, identify whether existing interventions are working or not, and the underlying reasons why, identify how and where Government and their partners could focus efforts, and contribute to the revision of the knowledge systems framework and theory of change, and related activities.
Develop the Economic Investment Case (if approved) for investing in science technology and innovation in Tanzania to include synthesise and collect data to set out the investment case for science, technology and innovation, compare the investment case for specific areas of science, technology and innovation, set out clearly with evidence how this case may differ due to the macro-economic context for Tanzania, identify the barriers and enablers within the knowledge system, and related information.
Identify Practical Actions to Strengthen the Knowledge Economy in Tanzania to include consultation with key stakeholders and constituencies on priorities for science technology and innovation, and development of practical action points to support the further development of the knowledge system in Tanzania, and related information
Position Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
Contribute to establishing standards for scientific rigor and quality of all research, data collection, analysis and report writing undertaken as part of the project.
Lead the study and analytical work in Tanzania in partnership with the PI, RTI experts, and Tanzanian institutions, and contribute to the design of overall project activities, methodologies and deliverables.
Coordinate research and work products with the PI as well as co-PIs located in Kenya and Rwanda.
Ensure the analysis, reports and recommendations that result from the Tanzania research products are technically sound, clear and practical.
As applicable, prepare briefs for both policy and academic audiences in Tanzania.
Program Leadership, Management and Coordination
Develop and manage strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders in Tanzania in partnership with the PI.
Develop a project workplan for Tanzania that will be combined with workplans for Kenya and Rwanda, draft and finalize reports/deliverables with input from the other co-PIs and the PI, and contribute to financial reporting documentation as needed.
Meet regularly in person and electronically with the PI and other co-PIs to discuss activity implementation and progress.
Undertake site visits within Tanzania, and, if required, to the other target countries.
Establish/strengthen relationships with government counterparts, research institutions, academic partners and other stakeholders in Tanzania.
Requirements
Education and Experience
Master’s level degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Research Methodology, or related field;
Candidates must have at least eight years of progressive experience in the design and oversight of complex research studies related to knowledge management, political economy analysis and related fields.
Existing relationship with an academic institution, think tank or research institute in Tanzania.
Demonstrated knowledge of the broad array of institutions and actors involved in the knowledge sector in Tanzania.
Demonstrated success managing against programmatic deliverables.
Knowledge and Skills
Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills are required.
Excellent writing, editing, research, and presentation skills in English.
Proven track record in building successful relationships with government counterparts, research institutions, donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills.
Ability to produce thorough, high-quality work within a tight timeframe in English.
Must be fluent (writing and speaking) in English and Swahili.
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Education Management Information System (EMIS) Specialist, Tanzania
USAID Tusome Pamoja is a five-year, sector support program targeting better learning outcomes (focused on reading, writing and mathematics) at pre-primary and primary early grades (standards 1 through 4), in 31 Local Government Authorities of Mainland Tanzania across four regions of Tanzania – Iringa, Morogoro, Mtwara and Ruvuma - and 11 districts of Zanzibar. The goal of the program is to achieve age-appropriate, curriculum defined levels of reading and writing at standards 2 and 4 for at least 75% of classrooms in the target areas. An additional objective of the program is to develop, implement and demonstrate best approaches to strengthen the quality of education in the target regions for replication consideration in other regions.
In support of this national activity, the Government of Tanzania, represented by the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) has requested long-term technical assistance (LTTA) in order to scale-up the existing national school management tool- the School Information Systems (SIS)- incorporating it into all regions in Tanzania. The nationwide utilization of SIS will support the strengthening of institutional, technical and system capacities and will provide a robust pool of school performance data which can be used to better facilitate evidence-based decision and policy making.
The EMIS Specialist will be responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of SIS related project operations and all SIS related technical activities, ensuring that project staff collaborate effectively with government counterparts. S/he will be based in Dodoma with travel to Regional Secretariats (RS) and Local Government Authorities (LGA).
Essential Duties:
· Provide support to PO-RALG designated managers for the effective leadership and management of ICT projects, including the analysis of requests for information, systems enhancements and new systems as well as the development of appropriate proposals, business cases, write-ups and project plans.
· Support specialist Project Teams, including operations, work programming, performance, change management and financial management.
· Support the development of processes for, and the actual assistance of clients to formulate development of quality requests and analysis of new system requirements and information requests.
· Support the development of internal business reports including business cases, proposals and project plans, considering the business needs and the application architecture.
· Support the development of processes for and actual monitoring; support the review of business requests, in line with established protocols, corporate priorities, ICT strategy and legislative requirements and implement procedures to improve the management of requests. Support the current implementation/roll-out of SIS to new regions and LGA, as required
Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology or equivalence from a recognized university and 9 years of experience; consideration may be given to alternative qualifications with at least 9 years’ experience and demonstrated performance track-record.
· At least 5 years of experience in ICT project management for national and decentralized public sector systems, with at least 1 year of experience as a chief technical advisor or project chief (technical).
· Proven business acumen and demonstrated ability to build business partnerships.
· Proven organization skills and ability to manage competing time demands for multiple projects within given timeframes.
· A creative thinker with an innovative approach to problem solving which is outcomes driven rather than process orientated.
· Strong proven experience working within the public sector, working with the building of decentralized systems capacity and human resource capacity.
· Experience in business process analysis preferably in a multi discipline environment.
· Highly developed analytical skills with an ability to remain focused on outputs and to adjust delivery mechanisms to meet deadlines and client needs.
· Demonstrated highly developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively negotiate and communicate specific issues where there are competing agendas and priorities.
· Energy and enthusiasm with a strong client focus. The ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures