Project Officer - Pemba

About Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non-denominational, international development agency committed to defeating poverty and illiteracy, and improving health and nutrition. AKF works to improve the quality of life and develop sustainable solutions to the complex problems faced by communities in Africa and Asia. AKF's development approach is based on the principles of community participation, local ownership, and sustainable development.

About the Agency: Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP)

The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation, was established in East Africa in the 1980s to improve access and quality of Early Childhood care and services in marginalized communities on the Coast of Kenya, Zanzibar and Uganda. As a locally rooted entity with an entirely local staff, MECP has been a driving force in championing affordable, high-quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs for the past four decades. MECP works with key stakeholders to deliver (ECD) interventions for children ages 0-8. MECPs have been working closely with governments to enhance delivery of quality ECD interventions focusing on supporting front-line education and health workers and influencing ECD policy and practice, including quality teacher training. To date, MECP has trained over 8,000 teachers and reached over 1 million children. MECP's technical proficiency spans across various domains, including teacher capacity development, curriculum design, community engagement, and program evaluation. Graduates of MECP have successfully and consistently transitioned to higher levels of education, and over 10,000 have gained employment as ECD teachers, head teachers, caregivers, and community development workers.

The Position: Project Officer-Pemba

The Project Officer will support the implementation of the SHINE CBC Zanzibar Project, which aims to strengthen the delivery of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in early childhood education across Zanzibar. The project seeks to enhance the effective implementation of the CBC through improved educator preparation, strengthened teaching practices, and increased community engagement. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 5,500 children, 310 teachers, government officials, and community leaders across Zanzibar. In delivering these outcomes, the Project Officer will ensure alignment with MECP’s mission, core values, and commitment to pluralism and safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate project activities, trainings, meetings, and field implementation
• Facilitate the provision of pre-primary teachers’ preservice diploma training
• Develop and provide pre-primary teachers’ in-service trainings
• Work closely and support schools, teachers, communities, and government partners
• Coordinate and conduct monitoring visits and prepare progress reports
• Support community engagement and stakeholder coordination
• Ensure proper documentation and timely activity delivery

The Requirements:

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Early Childhood Development, Community Development, Social Sciences, Project Management, or related field. (Master’s degree is an added advantage)
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in project implementation, preferably in education or NGO sector.
• Strong understanding of Zanzibar education system and CBC reforms is an advantage.
• Experience working with communities, schools, and government institutions.
• Knowledge of monitoring and reporting systems.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent report writing skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Good computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email).
• Ability to travel within Zanzibar

Core competencies:

• High integrity and professionalism
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and within teams
• Results-oriented and problem-solving mindset
• Good relationship management skills
• Commitment to child rights, inclusion, gender equality, Equity and Safeguarding

How to Apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV including contacts of three references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

"AKF/MECP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is Committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Expects all Staff and Partners to Share this Commitment"

Sector

Social Development

Region

Eastern Africa

Location

Tanzania

Job Expires

01-Jul-2026