Policy and Strategy Intervention Manager- PLANE

Project Background:

Nigeria PLANE is a 7 year, £95m programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and represents one window of intervention in a broader package of investment intended to enable a more inclusive and effective basic education system. It seeks to do this through improvements made in teaching and learning with a focus on foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics.

It has four primary outputs: (i) Teaching & Learning: Evidence-based teaching and learning approaches & materials in use, in better managed performance focused schools and teaching colleges; (ii) Governance of state systems: Improved planning, personnel management and public financial management practices; (iii) Governance of non-state systems: Improved management and performance of the non-state sector; and (iv) Use of Evidence and Communication: Effective generation, communication and use of evidence to inform citizen engagement and improve service delivery. PLANE will work in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, the South West, South East, and the federal capital territory

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Policy and Strategy Intervention Manager will play a critical role in PLANE by supporting stakeholders (states and federal governments) in developing and implementing effective policies and strategies. This role involves extensive research, analysis, and collaboration with various stakeholders to shape the education policy objectives and optimise the delivery of inclusive, qualitative, and safe delivery of service in alignment with stakeholders’ mission and goals for education. The Policy and Strategy Intervention Manager will report to the Output 2 lead.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research, analyze, and recommend policy changes or improvements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to draft and or review policy documents, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, responding to emerging issues in the education sector, and ensuring policies are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the people.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather input and feedback on proposed policy support work.
• Coordinate provision of technical assistance and inputs with location teams.
• Contribute to the development of PLANE’s strategic plans and objectives.
• Conduct market research and environmental scans to identify trends and opportunities.
• Assist in the formulation of long-term and short-term strategies to achieve PLANE’s goals.
• Support the development of Output Strategy (Output 2)
• Support the development and implementation of the annual workplan which is tailored to each of the locations.
• Collect and analyse data to support evidence-based decision-making and reporting.
• Develop reports and presentations to communicate findings and insights.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and strategies implementation, recommending adjustments as needed, and harvest outcome results for reporting.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry groups, civil society organizations, and community organisations.
• Build and maintain positive relationships to facilitate policy advocacy and strategic partnerships.
• Act as trainer and mentor to locations’ technical team members
• Ensure that policies and strategies adhere to ethical and legal standards.
• Stay informed about emerging regulations and compliance requirements in the sector.
• Provide quality assurance of high-level standards to technical reports from locations (Briefing Notes, Reports, Case Studies, and Assessments) as required. .
• Prepare technical reports for Management and Client as necessary.
• Provide technical support to develop Quarterly Progress Reports, Annual Reviews, and lead on some specific cross-cutting strategic engagements.
• Any other duties of a related nature that might reasonably be required and allocated by the Output Lead.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Economics).
• 10 years and above of experience in policy analysis, strategic planning, or a related role.
• 5 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry trends.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.