Team Lead - MCC Belize Secondary Education Improvement Activity

FHI 360 is a global development organization, with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Our team of professionals includes experts in education, health, nutrition, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from over 60 offices with more than 4,000 employees in the United States and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at all levels and our multi-disciplinary approach allows us to have a lasting impact on the people, communities and countries we serve by improving the lives of millions.  

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Team Lead for the upcoming MCC Belize Secondary Education Improvement Activity. This position will be based in Belize and is contingent upon award. 

Project Description:

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Belize (GOB) have a $125 million Compact that aims to address the binding constraints of low-quality education and high electricity costs by equitably increasing the number of post-primary graduates with the skills relevant to labor market demands and lowering the wholesale cost of electricity in real terms. Under the Compact, an Education Project will aim to invest in Belize’s secondary education and technical and vocational education training (TVET) sector. Specifically, the anticipated MCC Belize Secondary Education Improvement Activity will focus on:

• establishing an educational quality assurance system to assess and improve the quality of management and teaching as well as the achievement of learning outcomes,

• building capacity of educational leadership and teachers,

• providing teaching and learning resources, and

• supporting the increase in the percentage of primary graduates that enroll in and complete secondary school.

Position Description:

The Team Lead is responsible for providing overall leadership, management oversight, and technical direction for the program, ensuring an integrated vision across components and actors, with a focus on achieving the results defined in the award. The Team Lead’s responsibilities include managing the annual work plan and budgeting process; creating/developing an effective project management team; overseeing an effective monitoring and evaluation system; and coordinating activities and sub-grantees to achieve results. This individual will be the primary liaison with the MCA Belize entity and MCC, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners. The Team Lead will be expected to identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustments. They will supervise activity implementation and ensure activities meet stated goals and reporting requirements. The Team Lead will have demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines.

Job Summary/Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership to the project team, technical and operational aspects of the Activity, including planning and implementation of the project; ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, and models and facilitates effective teamwork.

• Provides technical and managerial leadership, including capacity building to the project.

• Ensures quality and timeliness of contract deliverables.  

• Oversees the development and implementation of program work plans and strategies aligned with donor and government priorities.

• Collaborates with partner organizations (both public and private), local MCA Belize entity, MCC and other MCC-funded activities, and other donor-funded education projects to achieve the project’s objectives.

• Coordinates and is responsible for the preparation of the annual work plans, budgets, and annual progress reports, in a timely fashion for submission to the MCA Belize Entity.

• Ensures high technical standards are used to guide the technical and programmatic aspects of work plans and activities.

• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.

• Establishes project teams and standard operating procedures to meet project goals and ensure compliance with policies.

• Responsible for induction of project staff, ensuring their familiarity with mandate values, quality standards, policies and program objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.

Required Qualifications :

• Master’s degree in education, public administration, international development, or related field from an accredited university; Ph.D. or Ed.D. is highly preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of related experience in increasingly senior roles; at least five years managing education programs at a senior level (Project Director, Team Lead, DCOP or COP equivalent); experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).

• Knowledge of and experience working in secondary education. Knowledge of Ministry of Education  

• Strong knowledge of, and commitment to, gender and social equity issues in education; expertise in gender equality and social inclusion preferred.

• Relevant management, supervisory, technical experience working with programs that are of a similar scope and scale to this program.

• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, effective organizational development, partnership-building, capacity-building, managerial, teambuilding and communication skills.

• Proven ability to coordinate and oversee local partner capacity building activities, including technical, managerial and governance capacities.

• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines across a broad geographic area

• Proven ability to coordinate with government stakeholders, as well as non-governmental organizations.

• Demonstrated knowledge of MCC and/or Government of Belize rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to project and program compliance and reporting.

• Experience in the education sector in Belize or the region strongly preferred.

• Oral and written fluency required in English.

• Oral and written fluency preferred in Spanish and/or other local languages in Belize.  

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.  We offer competitive compensation and a package of exceptional benefits. Please visit the FHI 360 Career Center at  http://www.fhi360.org/careers  for a list of all open positions. 

FHI 360 is an employer with equal opportunity and affirmative action. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status in policies, programs, or activities. 

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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