USAID/Uzbekistan All Children Succeeding Activity 

Position Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan  

Background:  

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.    

Project Description: 

The USAID-funded Uzbekistan All Children Succeeding Activity aim to improve the learning outcomes of Uzbekistani primary school students. To achieve this, the activity will strengthen the capacity of education sector systems to provide quality learning environments with the instruction, materials and support that children need while they are in school, at home, or in the community. Aligning professional development curriculum and training with universal design for learning, inclusive education (IE) principles and practices will be an integral part of this activity; therefore, interventions will work to enhance in-service training to support improved disability inclusive education and foundational skills acquisition. 

The Civil Society and System Strengthening Manager will work under the supervision of the Inclusive Education Specialist will have a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and educational systems. S/he’s primary objective will be to enhance inclusive education strategies, ensuring access to quality education for children with disabilities within existing educational frameworks. Technical and will have supervisory responsibility with overall responsibility for the quality implementation of activities related to educational systems strengthening and community engagement. S/he will lead the design and development of activities to build government and DPO capacity at the national, regional, and district levels to plan and manage quality education service delivery and expand access for all children. S/he will work with relevant DPOs and self-initiative groups of parents of CwDs, agencies, project partners, and other stakeholders to support the design and development of policy implementation guidance and action plans in target regions and districts. 

This role requires a committed and proactive individual who can effectively collaborate with various stakeholders, advocate for inclusive education policies, and drive positive change within civil society organizations to ensure the educational rights of children with disabilities are upheld and enhanced.

• Forge and maintain strong partnerships with various civil society organizations, NGOs, advocacy groups, and community-based entities to promote inclusive education initiatives for children with disabilities.
• Coordinate joint efforts among civil society stakeholders to develop and implement DPO initiatives, including close coordination with ACS partner Praxis Plus, that enhance access to quality education for children with disabilities. This includes organizing workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects.
• Support civil society organizations to lead advocacy campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive education, advocate for policy changes and systemic reforms that support the rights and needs of children with disabilities in education.
• Facilitate training sessions and capacity-building programs for CSOs and community groups, empowering them to actively support inclusive education practices and advocate for children with disabilities.
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to strengthen the inclusivity of educational systems for children with disabilities. This includes planning, overseeing, and evaluating initiatives to advance access and quality of education.
• Work with the Inclusive Education Specialist and project partners to engage DPOs, parents’ self-initiative groups with policymakers, leveraging data and insights to drive systemic change.
• Other duties as assigned. 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social sciences, Education, Disability Studies, or a related field. Additional certifications or training in inclusive education or advocacy would be beneficial.
• A minimum of three years of experience working in education reform, institutional capacity building, and policy framework development preferably in roles related to education, disability rights, advocacy, or community engagement.
• Knowledge of the Uzbekistan education system policy and planning processes is an advantage. 
• Strong advocacy and communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas, influence stakeholders, and bring together coalitions of inclusive education stakeholders to engage in persuasive advocacy efforts.
• Demonstrated experience of organizational development, institutional and individual capacity building. 
• Excellent networking skills to establish and nurture relationships with diverse stakeholders, fostering collaborations and partnerships.
• Dedication and passion for promoting inclusive education and advocating for the rights of children with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Uzbek and/or Russian required. 
• Good oral and written communication skills in English are preferred.
• Microsoft Office products experienced user