Zonal Program Coordinator, Early Grades (Grades 1–3) Full Time NEW

Position Title: Zonal Program Coordinator, Early Grades (Grades 1–3)
Project: I1d-NRD Project
Duty Station: Katat Twon, Konso Zone
Travel Requirement: Frequent travel to the project target woredas of Konso Zuria
Organization: Imagine1day International Organization
Reports to: Regional Program Manager

Duration: One Year with possibility of Extension

Functional relationship: Education Program Manager/Director, MEAL Manager/Director, Finance Manager/Director, &, & another CO team

Technical Liaison: SER Education Bureau, Zonal Education Department, Woreda Education Offices, and NRD, including other project partners

Contract Type: Full Time

Position Summary

The Zonal Program Coordinator, Early Grade Numeracy, will provide overall leadership, coordination, and quality assurance for the implementation of the I1d–NRD Project in Konso Zone. The role is responsible for ensuring effective delivery of early grade (Grades 1–3) numeracy research and intervention activities aimed at improving foundational mathematics learning outcomes in the targeted 56 primary schools.

The position will play a critical role in translating the NRD project design into high-quality, context-responsive implementation at the school and community levels. The coordinator will oversee program planning, field implementation, partner coordination, government engagement, and integration of learning evidence into practice. Strong grounding in mathematics or mathematics education, together with practical experience in early-grade numeracy interventions, is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities

1. Zonal Program Leadership and Coordination

• Provide overall leadership and coordination of the I1d–NRD Project at the zonal level.
• Ensure timely and high-quality implementation of all early grade numeracy activities across target woredas and schools.
• Lead zonal-level planning, scheduling, and coordination of program activities in line with approved work plans and budgets.
• Supervise and support Program Officers and field staff to ensure effective delivery and problem-solving.

2. Technical Oversight of Early Grade Numeracy Implementation

• Ensure fidelity of implementation of evidence-based early grade numeracy interventions for Grades 1–3.
• Support the rollout and use of structured lesson plans, activity banks, and formative assessment tools.
• Provide technical guidance to field teams on learner-centered, activity-based, and inclusive numeracy instruction.
• Ensure interventions strengthen number sense, basic operations, and conceptual understanding.

3. Government Engagement and System Alignment

• Coordinate closely with Zonal and Woreda Education Offices to ensure alignment with government priorities and curriculum frameworks.
• Facilitate government participation in planning, piloting, reviewing, and validation of numeracy interventions and materials.
• Represent Imagine1day in zonal education coordination forums, review meetings, and technical discussions.

4. Monitoring, Learning, and Adaptive Management

• Work closely with the MEAL team & partners to support baseline, midline, and endline assessments and ongoing monitoring activities.
• Use implementation and learning data to identify challenges, inform adaptive management, and improve program quality.
• Support documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and contextual insights from the Konso Zone implementation.

5. Capacity Building and Field Support

• Support training, coaching, and mentoring of teachers, school leaders, and education officers on early grade numeracy.
• Strengthen the capacity of local education stakeholders to sustain numeracy improvements beyond the project period.
• Ensure effective coordination of training, follow-up support, and school-level coaching activities.

6. Program Management, Reporting, and Compliance

• Oversee zonal-level program budgets in coordination with the finance team to ensure efficient and compliant use of resources.
• Prepare and submit high-quality monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc program reports.
• Ensure compliance with Imagine1day policies, donor requirements, and safeguarding standards.
• Contribute to donor reporting and learning products as required.

7. Safeguarding Commitment

• Imagine1day 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.

• Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Pedagogy, Curriculum and Educational Planning and Management, or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in education program implementation and coordination.
• Strong practical experience in early grade (Grades 1–3) numeracy or mathematics interventions, including classroom-level support.
• Solid understanding of Ethiopia’s primary education system and early grade curriculum.
• Proven experience working with government education structures at zonal and woreda levels and NGOs.
• Experience managing field teams, budgets, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

Core Competencies

• Early Grade Numeracy and Mathematics Expertise
• Program Coordination and Field Leadership
• Government Engagement and Partnership Management
• Data-Informed Decision Making and Adaptive Management
• Team Supervision and Capacity Building
• Strong Communication, Reporting, and Organizational Skills
• Commitment to Inclusive, Child-Centered, and Safe Learning Environments