DISC: Job Opening at American Councils for International Ed

[HumanResources HumanResources]

Education Finance Specialist      Kyrgyz Republic     Bishkek
FLSA STATUS:	Exempt

Position Description

SUMMARY:

The Education Finance Specialist will be part of the team set up by the World Bank and Kyrgyz Republic to support technical assistance, training, commissioned studies and workshops to strengthen budget planning, strategic planning, and monitoring and evaluation in the Ministry of Education.  A specific objective will be to strengthen annual and medium-term budget planning by the Ministry of Education in order to achieve better educational results with available budget and donor resources. The specialist will help the Ministry of Education develop capacity for program budgeting and results-based management.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The estimated duration of the assignment is 12 months. The position is available Autumn 2005.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The specialist's main responsibilities are to provide technical assistance to the Minister of Education. In order to achieve this, the consultant will:

·	Identify the capacity-building requirements and institutional arrangements for strengthening the linkages between budget formulation, policy priorities, and monitoring and evaluation in the education sector.  
·	In close consultation with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, and Project Implementation Unit of the World Bank, design and help create and activate a new Strategic Planning and Budgeting Unit that will provide a strategic overview of all the Ministry's activities as well as more effective use of  the available resources aimed at achieving  better educational results.  
·	Conduct a mini functional review of the Ministry's current strategic development and budgeting processes and structures that would serve as a basis for the design of this new Unit.
·	Compile and assess the existing sources of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of education programs, and recommend measures to strengthen them.
·	Take the lead in identifying priority topics for the commissioned policy studies 
·	Produce training materials, guidelines and handbooks on education budgeting and planning in order to transfer knowledge and experience to the Unit staff.  It is expected that in fulfilling this assignment the consultant will work closely with other organizations dealing with this issue.
·	Prepare and submit to Ministry of Education and Project Implementation Unit of the World Bank the staff training and development plan.
·	Work out recommendations for more effective organization of joint activities with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant parties in support of budget preparation, and setting up financing priorities.
·	Provide a comprehensive analytical support to the National Education Council in its activities.    

QUALIFICATION PREFERENCES:

American Councils will select the candidate with the most ideal combination of the criteria listed below:

·	Graduate degree in economics from an internationally recognized university or the equivalent experience. 
·	Experience in evidence-based policymaking and budgeting in the education sector or other social sector.
·	Experience working as a team member in international development projects.
·	Experience establishing new organizational structures or reforming government agencies.
·	Proficiency with standard office software.
·	English language proficiency.  
·	Knowledge of Russian a plus. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Please submit your cv in Word Format no later than July 26, 2006 to Vladimir Sedov at sedov at americancouncils.org.

TO APPLY:
Send letter/resume and salary requirements to HR Department, American Councils, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 700, Washington, DC  20036.  Fax: 202-872-9178 or 202-833-7523; email: resumes at americancouncils.org. Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.

American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS is a non-profit, educational association and exchange organization devoted to improving education, professional training and research within and regarding Eastern Europe and Eurasia. American Councils administers academic exchange and training programs in virtually all fields; provides educational advising and academic testing services throughout Eastern Europe and Eurasia; and organizes conferences and seminars in the US and abroad for its membership, exchange participants, alumni, and professional groups. In addition, American Councils organizes and administers citizen exchange programs to promote cross-cultural understanding. American Councils manages a budget funded from multiple sources of approximately $40M, employs a staff of more than 400, and operates offices in 13 countries.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------