Overall Function:
Firelight seeks an individual with a combination of intellectual curiosity, creativity, as well as a combination of experience, skill, and passion for data, analysis and learning. The individual will be responsible for management of an initiative focused on the role of grassroots organizations improving quality of education and learning outcomes of children in Tanzania. The Program Manager will also provide leadership on the program team's efforts to deepen knowledge about programs, approach, and impact of grassroots organizations using participatory learning methods. In addition, the right individual will support efforts to develop Firelight's overall monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including development of metrics developed inductively from our learning agenda.
Primary Responsibilities:
Manage grantmaking portfolio focused on support to grassroots organizations working to improve education quality in Tanzania.
Lead foundation's organizational learning efforts, including design and management of Firelight's organizational learning agenda.
Guide the design and development of participatory monitoring and evaluation.
Conduct both qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
Write up both internal and external documents to share learning derived from organizational learning efforts.
Facilitate learning and reflection processes at organizational and grantee levels.
Lead special projects or take on additional tasks as assigned.
Supervise consultants and interns as assigned.
Qualifications:
Minimum Masters' degree in social sciences.
Ability to lead and facilitate learning and reflection process using a variety of participatory tools and methods.
Qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills, including competent use of qualitative and quantitative statistical software packages.
Strong track-record in writing concepts, proposals and reports.
Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and operations research at grassroots level.
Excellent interpersonal and team skills.
At least 5-7 years experience in managing and carrying out research, with progressive responsibility in program management programs at the grassroots level.
Preferred:
Background or work experience in education programs in Africa, preferably in Tanzania.
Knowledge and understanding of key issues facing vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ability to maintain fairly rigorous schedule during Africa travel; ability to travel up to 20% of time.
Familiarity with Mac applications, and relational databases, such as Filemaker Pro.
French language skills, both written and spoken.
Authorization to work in the United States.
Strong work ethic.
Good sense of humor.
The Firelight Foundation values flexibility, innovation and collaboration in our approach to grantmaking. We operate with a small, creative staff in Santa Cruz, CA. We actively collaborate with other foundations to promote awareness of the issues facing African children and communities affected by HIV/AIDS, to engage in strategic problem-solving and to enhance our effectiveness as grantmakers. We work closely with our Advisory Council and Program Consultants in Africa to develop a grantmaking program that supports local expertise and enhances communities' capacity to support vulnerable children and families.
To Apply:
Send updated CV, cover letter, and writing sample by November 11, 2011 to jobs(at)firelightfoundation.org or by fax to 831-429-2036 (e-mail submissions preferred). Please note "Learning and Evaluation Manager" in subject line of e-mail or fax. Only persons short-listed for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.
