Manager - Academic Operations - AKP

4382BR

Aga Khan Education Services

The position

Overall:
The Manager, Academic Operations is responsible to take charge of planning, monitoring, review, and advancement of the Aga Khan Preschool (AKP) program.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the AKP team to effectively execute the AKESI-prescribed curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Spearhead outreach initiatives, fostering collaborations with governmental and allied institutions.
• Ensure adherence to AKESI policies concerning finance, HR, IT, safety, and child safeguarding.
• To ensure the safety and suitability of AKP infrastructure for optimal learning environments.
• Setting up new AKPs.

Specific:

Visioning and planning:

• Instil the organization's vision, mission, and values within the AKP team and Regional Office staff.
• Cultivate a culture of respect and care among AKP and Regional Office teams.
• Elevate the organization's reputation as a premier resource agency in Early Childhood Development (ECD).

Academic:

• Design, develop, and periodically review the ECD curriculum spanning from Toddler to HKG levels.
• Strategize, implement, and evaluate co-curricular activities across AKPs.
• Design assessment tools, conduct comprehensive evaluations of AKP and student performance using agreed-upon metrics and timelines.
• Document Academic processes (ASQ, SOP, Assessment etc)

Guidance and monitoring:

• Conduct regular visits to AKPs for overall monitoring and guidance.
• Mentor/Guide AKP teams, Headteachers, teachers, and Local Management Committees (LMCs).

Staffing and Professional Development:

• Lead professional development initiatives for AKP field and office staff.
• Plan/Organize /facilitate effective training for teachers, teacher assistants, and regional office teams.

Communication:

• Drive image-building and marketing initiatives, including social media management and event organization.
• Prepare/Review and approve all content for marketing, media, articles etc.
• Maintain regular communication with CO, field (Staff and LMC) and AKP teams.
• Keep the Regional Head informed of ground activities and issues.

Administration:

• Oversee AKP administration, including coordination of conferences, meetings, training, and external visits.
• Liaise with relevant government offices for AKP registration and reporting.
• Uphold safety, health, and hygiene standards for AKP students, staff, and volunteers.
• Facilitate the establishment of new AKPs with respect to resources and staffing.

Finance, Budgeting and Resource Management:

• Collaborate with the Regional Head and finance team to prepare AKP annual plans and budgets.
• Exercise control and authorization over all AKP financial transactions.
• Secured all the financial documents of the department.

Networking/liaisoning and outreach:

• Establish linkages with NGOs, educational institutions, government agencies, etc.
• Plan and execute outreach programs, ensuring effectiveness and reporting on outcomes.
• Dealing with DEOs/DPEOs offices and other govt. offices for AKPs and other organisation work.

Study/Report writing:

• Ensure timely submission of reports, analyses, and feasibility studies to the central office.
• Prepare various reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual summaries.

Construction/Maintenance and Safety:

• Help in identifying the need for the safety and suitability of AKP infrastructure.
• Implement a Safeguarding policy across all the AKPs.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with parents, caregivers, LMC and community members to foster strong partnerships and engagement in the AKPs.
• Represent the organization at community meetings, conferences, and other relevant forums to advocate for early childhood development and share best practices.
• Facilitate the LMC appointment, Induction, and Training.

General operation:

• Facilitate the need assessment, procurement and supply of TLMs

The requirements

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Development / Early Childhood/ Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Preferred to have an understanding of early childhood development theories, practices, and pedagogy.
• Familiarity with relevant local and national regulations and policies related to ECD.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and build partnerships.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and monitoring program outcomes.
• Grant writing and fundraising experience are desirable.

Experience:

• Proven experience in managing and implementing Education programs, preferably in a leadership role.
• Minimum 10- 12 years of experience with:
• 2-3 years of experience in teaching at school level.
• At least 3 years of experience in program management in the Education/NGO Sector.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management in a reputed organization/NGO

Sector

Social Development