Regional Literacy and Education Program Coordinator

Company Overview

Imagine1day International Organization is a Canadian non-religious and non-profit humanitarian and development NGO. Since 2007, Imagine1day has been investing in Ethiopia with a focus on Education, Child Protection, WASH, Livelihoods, Leadership, and Emergency Response. Our mission is to ensure that by 2030, all Ethiopians have access to quality education without the need for foreign aid.

Currently, in the Afar region, Imagine1day, in collaboration with the World Food Program/WFP/, is implementing a Five-Year McGovern-Dole program – School Meals for Improved Learning and Empowerment (SMILE) Project in 343 primary schools across 29 woredas, reaching 80,000 children. The program focuses on improving early-grade literacy foundational skills through the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, working in partnership with the Afar Regional Education Bureau, Woreda Education Offices, schools, and communities.

Job Overview

Position Title: Regional Literacy and Education Program Coordinator

Duty Station: Afar Region, Semera

Contract Type: Contract for 4 months with the possibility of extension based on performance

Required Number: 1 (One)

Reporting to: Regional Program Manager

Functional Relationships: Education Specialist (Afar)

Salary: As per the Organization’s salary scale

Position Summary

The Regional Literacy and Education Program Coordinator will lead, manage, and oversee the implementation of the literacy foundational skills improvement program across Afar’s target schools. The Coordinator will work closely with the Afar Regional Education Bureau, Zonal Education Departments, Woreda Education Offices (WEOs), school leaders, PTAs, and teachers to ensure effective adaptation of the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach. A key focus will be on improving student attendance, retention, and primary-level learning outcomes in Afar’s pastoralist and hard-to-reach communities. The coordinator will also integrate awareness-raising activities on hygiene, nutrition, and primary health care, in line with WFP policy, and ensure program sustainability through government ownership and community participation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and coordination of literacy and foundational learning interventions across Afar region.
• Oversee the effective adaptation of the TaRL approach to pastoralist contexts, ensuring relevance for mobile schools and multi-grade classrooms.
• Work closely with the Afar Regional Education Bureau and WEOs to strengthen education service delivery and accountability.
• Lead regional-level planning, budgeting, and implementation of program activities.
• Provide training, mentoring, and coaching to project officers, teachers, school leaders, and PTAs to improve classroom practice and school governance.
• Monitor classroom practices, learner progress, and ensure effective use of TaRL and supplementary learning materials.
• Facilitate literacy campaigns, back-to-school mobilization, and advocacy efforts, with a focus on girls, children with disabilities, and nomadic learners.
• Integrate awareness-raising on hygiene, nutrition, and primary health care into education activities, in alignment with WFP policy.
• Strengthen partnerships with regional stakeholders, including education authorities, local NGOs, and community leaders.
• Oversee data collection, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure accountability and evidence-based decision-making.
• Ensure proper budget utilization and compliance with donor and organizational policies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Educational Planning and Management, Curriculum and Instruction, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years (Master’s) or 12 years (Bachelor’s) of relevant experience in education program coordination/management, preferably in pastoralist contexts.
• Proven experience working with regional and woreda education structures in Ethiopia.
• Expertise in structured pedagogy approaches, particularly TaRL.
• Experience in teacher capacity development, school support, and inclusive education.
• Strong understanding of challenges facing education in pastoralist and hard-to-reach settings.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills in English and Afar language.
• Willingness to travel frequently to remote field locations.
  

  Core Competencies

• Program leadership and coordination
• Technical expertise in foundational literacy and TaRL adaptation
• Capacity building, coaching, and mentoring
• Government engagement and partnership development
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
• Gender equality and inclusion mainstreaming
• Problem-solving and innovation in challenging contexts
• Strong organizational and leadership skillsSafeguarding CommitmentImagine1day has zero tolerance for violations of Child and Adult Safeguarding, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and the Code of Conduct. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Imagine1day implements a range of procedures and actions, including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificates of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.