Job Description

Terms of reference for a MOES EMIS Advisor to support and build the capacity of the Ministry’s EMIS system.

Position type: Advisor to MOES EMIS system.

Duration: One year. Start date TBD.

Supporting project: GPE System Capacity Grant (SCG)

Background

In order, to improve access to quality and timely information for planning and decision making, MoES continues to strengthen the Education Management Information System (EMIS) to expand its functionalities, coverage and data quality through annual school census and production of annual statistical yearbook.  EMIS functionality and use was mainly described as moderate by the members of the Education Sector Committee (ESC). While the ESA Report 2021 and the 2022–2026 ESSP drew on quantitative data, predominantly from EMIS and NLAs, concerns remain on lack of a policy framework for EMIS, its integration with other education databases such as HRMIS, examination systems and the database for teacher education and management and does not incorporate knowledge generated from surveys and other studies by partners and institutions of higher learning. There is also need to improve data security, completeness beyond access indicators, increase the use of other complementary sources of data and promote the widespread use of data to promote evidence-informed decisions, planning and policy making.

EMIS data presents a limited information on all subsectors of education, particularly in early childhood education. This compromises MoES capacity to implement targeted interventions to expand facilities and opportunities for all learners of different levels of learning in Somaliland. Inadequacy of disability disaggregated data on learners, out of school children and teacher characteristics, have altogether, constrained the design of tailored and specialized education services in all regions. Limited gender analysis and weak capacity to track gender mainstreaming commitments from micro to macro levels, is a critical barrier to inclusive, evidence-based and gender responsive planning and actions to improve girl’s participation in education. Data dissemination and decentralization remains a challenge as MoES staff in regional and district offices remain unaware of policies, strategies and relevant guidelines or manuals. 

In collaboration with MoES, GPE project plans to develop an EMIS framework for data generation and use as well as integration with multiple data sources relevant to education sector development. The project will embed an EMIS advisor to improve the EMIS system and train EMIS unit staff. The central level EMIS Unit and EMIS focal points in the regions require support to enhance their capacity to collect, refine and upload data on the EMIS server to increase the data quality used for planning by MoES and other stakeholders like ministry of planning, donors and education partners. The project will work closely with the ECW MYRP project to integrate EIE data within EMIS system.

The key challenge facing EMIS include limited human capacity and equipment, low quality, reliability and timeliness of the data; inconsistencies between different sources of data and gaps in data use for planning and decision making. The ESC concurs and has prioritized further strengthening of the EMIS policy framework, expanding country research and knowledge management capacity with emphasis on MVCs and the dynamics of inclusion. Through support from GPE and other partners, MOES will expand the range of gender, disability and special needs data and its institutional capacity to generate, analyse and use data for decision making.

The purpose of the MOES EMIS advisory role is to support relevant MOES, SCI and other GPE implementing partners staff to conduct high quality and relevant EMIS. The role of the advisor is to provide the MOES with technical and coordination support to assist with implementing high quality user friendly EMIS system.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Support MOES Planning Department to align the EMIS framework with the MOES planning goals and objective.
• Assist in integrating the EMIS with planning processes, ensuring the system captures relevant data to support effective planning.
• Support national, regional, and school level data and information systems to increase use of evidence in decision making, including EMIS and other administration data.
• Develop a robust policy framework established for EMIS data generation and use, as well as integration with multiple data sources relevant to education sector development.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan which will act as the basis for measuring the monthly EMIS and other planning achievements.
• Support the planning and execution of annual school census covering all subsectors of education.
• Provide technical assistance to MOES EMIS and other relevant Directorate of Policy and Planning staff.
• Provide technical expertise in designing and implementing planning modules within the EMIS to facilitate data-driven decision making.
• Plan and manage EIMIS data collection, data entry and data auditing.
• In collaboration with regional MoES offices, participate in education data collection and uploading of EMIS raw data on EMIS server for analysis and posting for decision making.
• Support data and information availability and use by the whole MOES personnel.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and integration of the EMIS with other planning systems and processes.
• Participate in planning-related meetings, conferences, Education sector, and working group meetings to contribute to discussions on best practices and innovative planning approaches.

Deliverables

1. Enhanced MOES EMIS capacity (staff, organisation and institutional)
2. Production of a high quality EMIS annual abstract/ book
3. Well-functioning EMIS software is operational, and staff are trained to manage the system according to need.
4. Clear and detailed plans for staff training and logistics to ensure that the school census is comprehensive and accurate and used by all relevant staff.
5. Ministry, REO, DEO and school head teachers are trained to complete the school census and carry out the data collection process- both online and offline manual system as required.
6. Data processing and analysis capacity in place to produce reliable evidence-based statistics on all levels of education system that can be used for policy and planning.

Experiences and Qualifications

Requirements and qualifications

• The advisor will have expertise in education information management systems, software development and applications, project management and coordination experience gained in resource-poor and low-capacity contexts. 
• Demonstrated field ability to provide education technical advice and support.
• Proven project management and coordination experience
• Oral and written fluency of Somali and English languages.
• Minimum five years of developing country experience working in education or related programs.
• Strong personnel capacity development experience in areas of information, communication and technology.
• Good writing skills in both Somali and English Languages
• Excellent coordination and collaboration skills with local communities, local   government, civil society, and other NGOs
• Willingness to travel and work in a sometimes insecure environment

Management:  The EMIS advisor will be line managed by the MOES Deputy Minister. SCI GPE Director will provide technical supervision and monitoring of the expected deliverables. MoES will provide access to office as required.

Skills Required

Follow us on social media