Government Primary School (GPS) Education Officer

Government Primary School (GPS) Education Officer

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Overview

Pharo Foundation is a Foundation established and funded by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund. It is a mission-driven, impact-oriented organisation that designs, funds, and operates economic development programmes around three central missions. We have over 700 employees spread across Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somaliland and London. We operate through two main divisions:

Pharo Development - Focuses on fostering long term socio-economic development by educating the next generation, addressing water scarcity, and unlocking economic productivity in the countries we operate.

Pharo Ventures - A permanent capital fund that provides patient capital and takes a long-term investment approach. Our goal is to de-risk opportunities, attract additional capital, and accelerate economic transformation in the markets where we operate.

Our Missions

Education: Our mission is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to access a high-quality and affordable education and become productive citizens in a rapidly changing world.

Water: Our mission is to ensure that people and communities across Africa have access to a safe and affordable source of water.

Productivity: Our mission is to eliminate health, financial, and structural barriers to employment and productivity for working people

Pharo Foundation’s education mission is implemented through the Pharo-brand schools, ranging from kindergarten, to primary and secondary. The Foundation operates four Pharo schools in Somaliland, Vocational Training Centre, Pharo Kindergarten, Pharo Primary, and Pharo Secondary Boarding school in Sheikh district.

Our school includes both international and national curricula, enhancing the educational experience through a variety of innovative approaches. These include engaging reading materials, cutting-edge technology-driven learning methods, and advanced educational tools. We take pride in our well-equipped instructional spaces tailored for dynamic learning, ongoing assessment, mentorship, and age-appropriate resources like libraries, laboratories, ICT facilities, and pedagogical centers. We firmly uphold the significance of academic excellence in nurturing students, facilitating their seamless transition into adulthood, and paving the way for occupational and economic success.

Opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and technically skilled Government Primary School (GPS) Education Officer to play a key role in the implementation of the Government Primary School Programme. The ideal applicant will have a strong background in education, with experience in collecting and managing field data, conducting school assessments, and performing classroom observations. The applicant should possess excellent research and reporting abilities, with a focus on analysing student data and dropout trends. Strong leadership skills are essential for leading training, supporting exam standardisation and liaising with government stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of the programme. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving primary education and have the skills to make a tangible impact.

Key Relationships

Role: Government Primary School (GPS) Education Officer

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Reporting to: Government Primary School Programme Coordinator

Contract Type: Fixed Term (1 year)

Functional relationships: Education Team, Government Officials, Pharo Supported Public Schools.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Assessments

•       Lead Assessments: Take charge of both internal and external assessments (e.g., International General Reading Assessment/International General Math Assessment), ensuring they are conducted fairly and effectively.

•       Evaluate Effectiveness: Assess the impact of educational initiatives on student learning outcomes through comprehensive data analysis.

•       Continuous Assessment: Implement formative, summative, and continuous assessments to evaluate student progress and identify areas for improvement.

•       Data Monitoring: Regularly monitor and evaluate student performance data to inform instructional practices and curriculum adjustments.

Capacity Building

•       Content Development: Design and develop training materials that are relevant, engaging, and tailored to the needs of educators.

•       Training Effectiveness: Conduct evaluations to measure the effectiveness of training sessions and their impact on teaching practices.

•       Professional Development: Organise and facilitate workshops, seminars, and training sessions to enhance teachers' skills and knowledge.

•       Feedback Mechanism: Create a system for gathering feedback from participants to continuously improve training programs. 

Student Data and Dropout Analysis

•       Data Collection: Gather and analyse data on student enrolment, retention, and dropout rates, with a specific focus on kindergarten returnees.

•       Dropout Reasons: Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses to understand the reasons behind student dropouts and develop strategies to mitigate them.

•       Reporting: Prepare reports and presentations summarising findings, trends, and recommendations for stakeholders.

Classroom Observations

•       Observation Techniques: Conduct both formal and informal classroom observations to assess teaching practices and student engagement.

•       Feedback Provision: Provide one-on-one feedback to teachers and principals, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

•       Follow-Up Support: Offer ongoing support and resources to help educators implement feedback and improve instructional strategies.

Exam Standardisations

•       Standardised Exam Development: Collaborate with teachers and principals to develop and implement standardised exams that align with curricular goals and learning outcomes.

•       Compatibility Assurance: Ensure that standardised exams are compatible across all schools, promoting fairness and consistency in student assessment.

•       Training on Exam Practices: Provide training to educators on best practices for administering standardised exams and interpreting results.

Stakeholder Engagement:

•       Act as a liaison with government stakeholders to ensure smooth programme implementation.

Reporting and Team Collaboration:

•       Draft and submit monthly reports to the GPS Programme Coordinator.

•       Ensure all data and reports are accurate, timely, and well-documented.

•       Work closely with the GPS Programme Coordinator and other team members to achieve programme objectives.

•       Set a positive example for junior team members and provide guidance as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

•       Bachelor's Degree in Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences and/or related field.

•       Minimum three (3) years of experience with an international NGO/UN/ Local NGO & Government in Somaliland in implementing educational programmes.

•       General knowledge of the Somaliland education sector.

•       Strong technical skills and proficiency in data collection and management platforms (e.g., KoBo Collect, SPSS, Microsoft Excel, Google Forms, NVIVO ).

Personal attributes

•       Highly motivated and self-driven.

•       Excellent research and analytical skills.

•       Good time management and organisational abilities.

•       Critical thinker with strong problem-solving skills.

•       Team player with the ability to follow leadership and set a good example for junior members.

•       Excellent report writing and good presentation skills.

•       We will review completed applications on a rolling basis. If we identify an outstanding candidate early in the process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only contact shortlisted candidates.

•       You are required to attach a detailed CV and cover letter.

•         To apply, please visit the Careers page on the Pharo Foundation website and submit your applicationhttps://www.pharofoundation.org/index.php/current-opportunities

•       The application deadline is 22nd May 2025.