Education Officer

Our client is seeking to recruit for an Education Officer to be based in Nairobi. This is a great opportunity to be part of a wider team ensuring successful delivery of all Education and Community Engagement programmes and projects within the region. The role will establish key contact within schools and proactively engage new audiences to CWGC cemeteries and memorials. You will actively promote and develop relationships with local stakeholders and provide presentations to a variety of audiences. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) honours the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten. Our work commemorates the war dead, from building and maintaining our cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories to preserving our extensive records and archives. Our values and aims, laid out in 1917, are as relevant now as they were over 100 years ago.

The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation (CWGF) is a charitable foundation, created in 2017 to mark the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s 100th anniversary. The Foundation highlights the work of the CWGC by telling the stories of the 1.7m people the CWGC commemorates. The Foundation aims to engage young people and the wider community in the story of our common sacrifice and shared history by funding educational initiatives, an interns’ programme and community activities. The Foundation is funded by income from our Supporters’ Scheme, from individual donations, and from the sales of merchandise and books.

Job Purpose

Acting as ‘flag bearer’ for the Commission ensuring successful delivery of all Education and Community Engagement programmes and projects within the region reporting to the Heritage Manager. The successful candidate should have the right to work in Kenya and can travel within the country.

Key Responsibilities:

1.       Supports the successful delivery of all education and community engagement programmes and events across the region

2.       Proactively engages new audiences to CWGC cemeteries and memorials • Establishes key school contacts in the region

3.       Locates suitable sites for visits by schools and other groups, offers guided tours and support materials to teachers, youth leaders, and local tourism guides

4.       Attends key community events, including providing presentations to a variety of audiences

5.       Actively promotes and develops local stakeholder relationships across the Education Community and Heritage Sector

6.       Promotes the work of the CWGC in the region on social media

7.       Identifies and pursues media opportunities and engages local media with the work of CWGC

8.       Provides regular progress reports

9.       Supports projects from other departments as required, particularly in relation to the Non-Commemoration Programme

10.   Liaises closely with the Regional AAA Operations team to ensure they are fully engaged and consulted on education and community engagement initiatives

11.   Works with Head of Education and Engagement to develop educational materials, programmes and activities for sites in Kenya.

Other Functional Competencies

1.       Job Functional Knowledge -Knowledge of education, and public engagement within the heritage sector

2.       Business Expertise-An interest in the work and mission of the CWGC

3.       Problem Solving – Uses judgement based on analysis of information

4.       Nature of Impact -Able to confidently engage with the public in such a way that encourages and develops a positive experience for all

5.       Area of Impact -Works with colleagues in Education and Community Engagement and works as part of the Heritage Team, Non-Commemorations Programme

6.       Interpersonal Skills -Strong communication skills to engage and enthuse others

Qualifications and Requirements:

1.       Must have an undergraduate or post graduate degree in Education or any Social Science, or relevant experience

2.       Knowledge of the education or heritage sector

3.       Practical experience of working in public engagement

4.       Experience of working in schools or wider education

5.       Knowledge of the curriculum in Kenya

6.       Experience in a community engagement role

7.       Demonstrated ability to motivate and work effectively with a wide range of people

8.       Experience of public speaking

9.       Experience of audience/visitor development activity

10.   Must have a driving license.

Skills and Abilities

1.       Excellent presentation skills with the ability to engage all ages

2.       Confidence and ability to positively engage audiences when giving presentations and talks to large and small groups

3.       Confident with IT, including Word, Excel, Social Media and databases

4.       Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to motivate and enthuse through meetings and presentations

5.       Excellent organization skills and ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage projects simultaneously

6.       Must be detail-oriented and able to work independently, as part of a team and with all levels of staff

7.       Resilient, with ability to work well under pressure and meet targets

8.       Flexible attitude with ability to use own initiative

9.       Commitment to engaging communities with the local heritage of First and Second World War commemorations

10.   Committed to professional development

11.   Everyone who works for us, or with us, shares our Values, which are formed around our concept of CARE (Commitment, Ambition, Respect and Excellence). We are proud and committed to ensuring we bring this to life every day, for ourselves, each other and those who lost their lives

12.   Health and Safety responsibility for self and others

Key contacts for this role will include:

·         Schools, Colleges and Universities

·         Community Groups

·         Local Authorities

·         External partners and contractors, e.g. Heritage organisations

·         Operations Team

·         Information and Communications teams

Qualified and interested applicants who meet the specifications are requested to send their CVs to [email protected] by 26th April 2024. Indicate the position applied for in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

What the role offers include :

1.       Monthly Salary: KSH 125,714

2.       Working hours- Normal Office hours are 40 hours per week based on:  08:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday (Due to the nature of the role, hours may vary, and you may be required to work additional hours. Time off in lieu may be granted for any approved additional hours worked.)

3.       Medical Insurance

4.       25 days holiday rising to 28 days after five years of service