Seasoned Deputy Director with wealth of continual process and operation improvement experience. Successfully oversees daily operations, planning and quality control and develops and monitors resources. Broad history in establishing standard operating procedures and tracking and reporting processes, tools and information flows. Actively engages direct reports to achieve business goals, tracks progress toward goals and increases effectiveness and efficiency of leaders.
Hi, I’m
Jean Laura Mphaya Chiona
Zomba
Summary
Overview
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Ministry of Education
Deputy Director of Education
08.2019 - 10.2023
Job overview
- Provided strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Education coordination structures under SWAP;
- Coordinate and manage the activities of all stakeholders in the SWAp, including development partners, government agencies, and civil society organizations;
- Oversee the preparation of the annual Education Sector Review report, working closely with stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and quality
- Coordinate with development partners to mobilize resources for the Education SWAp and ensure that their support is well-aligned with national priorities and strategies;
- Provide technical guidance and support to regional and district education offices to ensure the effective implementation of national education policies and plans;
- Coordinate efforts between the education cluster, presidential taskforce on COVID-19, and the Emergency Operations Centre, to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to education-related issues in emergency contexts
- Key Achievements
- Led COVID-19 emergency response and recovery efforts resulting in the safe reopening of primary schools and improved learning environments for students;
- Facilitated the successful application and implementation of the GPE COVID-19 Accelerator funding to support education initiatives in the country
- Coordinated training programs for national and local stakeholders on education in emergencies during COVID-19, to build capacity and strengthen response efforts
- Mobilized official development assistance from World Bank, Global Partnership for Education and UNICEF worth US$ 250 million that support basic education programmes;
- Initiated prospective grant application for US$ 129 million to support the transformation of education systems from 2024 to 2028
- Conducted a data collection exercise and produced an assessment report on Cyclone Dzombe, which resulted in GIZ funding for affected schools and communities
- Managed various Project Management Teams under the Education Services Joint Fund (ESJF-Multi-Donor Project Fund) to coordinate implementation and ensure prudent and efficient utilization of resources;
- Prepared Dossiers on Basic Education for the Head of State of Malawi and provided him with technical support during the Global Education Summit (2021) that was organized by Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and FCDO.
- Determined agenda, developed plans and oversaw implementation of programs and updates.
- Improved coordination and communications across organization to increase operational efficiency.
- Contributed to short- and long-term strategic planning and identified potential new markets, lines of business and funding opportunities.
Ministry of Education
Principal Planning Officer
07.2015 - 07.2019
Job overview
- Developing and overseeing the implementation of long-term strategic plans for the education sector aligned with national development priorities and goals
- Managing the implementation of sector programs within agreed timelines, budget, and quality standards
- Establishing funding mechanisms to support official development assistance for the education sector and monitoring joint financing agreement implementation
- Leading the development of policies and guidelines for the education sector in line with national and international best practices
- Developing and implementing capacity building programs for education sector stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and other partners
- Facilitating dialogue between government ministries, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and collaboration in education sector program implementation
- Preparing regular progress reports on education sector program implementation and providing advice to senior management on how to address any challenges or issues
- Coordinating activities of Technical Working Groups, Sector Working Groups, and other coordination structures to drive education reforms and the global agenda
- Achievements
- Mobilized US$66.5 million worth of education grants from the Global Partnership for Education and the Norwegian Government to support education reforms in decentralization, teacher reforms, girls’ education, Early Grade Learning, Learner Retention; and low cost infrastructure;
- Established the Education Services Joint Fund, through which 4 key strategic partners (GPE, UNICEF, Norway and German Governments) utilize to support education programmes in, Malawi;
- Conducted numerous education joint sector reviews and surveys, informing the formulation of evidence-based policies and coordinating response interventions
- Organized policy dialogue platforms, including education conferences, ministerial meetings with heads of diplomatic missions and international agencies, and local education group meetings, to enhance sector-wide coordination
- Pioneered low-cost infrastructure construction that expanded conducive learning space for an additional 70,000 primary school learners from deprived schools between 2017 to 2021;
- Maintained strong relationships with development partners, CSOs, and others in the education community.
Ministry of Education
Senior Planning Officer
11.2010 - 07.2015
Job overview
- Assist in facilitating dialogue between government, development partners, and civil society on education sector programs and policies and development of programmes
- Support monitoring and evaluation of education sector programs through quarterly and annual review meetings
- Provide secretarial role in coordinating various Technical Working Groups and Systems Task Forces within the Education Sector
- Monitor adherence to the Joint Financing Agreement by all education sector partners
- Facilitate resource mobilization to support the education sector and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure seamless project delivery and implemented project management best practices
- Provide administrative and technical advice to the Education SWAp Secretariat on education sector programs and policies
- Achievements
- Managed US$ 256 million worth of pooled funding from UK (FCDO), Germany/KfW, UNICEF, World Bank, GPE and the government of Malawi through sector budget support;
- Facilitated the development and review of Education SWAp structures to ensure the effective implementation of education sector programs and policies;
- Established M&E systems and initiated the development of innovative research solutions to meet the needs of policy makers, development partners, and practitioners, analyzing policy sustainability, early warning detection, and intelligence gathering
- Developed funding models to strengthen coordination, fiduciary oversight, government ownership, system-wide presence, and alignment of ODA with national priority areas
- Maintained strong relationships with development partners, CSOs, and others in the education community
- Published numerous education sector performance reports and quarterly sector working group reports.
Advancing Girls Education, AGE
Programme Management Consultant
01.2009 - 01.2014
Job overview
- Terms of Reference
- Building and maintaining positive working relationships with administrators and teachers at partner secondary schools as appropriate, while conducting outreach and relationship building to new school sites as determined by the program strategic plan
- Facilitating the AGE program curricula with students and conducting one-on-one mentoring with AGE Africa students as needed
- Developing and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation strategies for the program
- Leading AGE's program through a new phase of growth and program expansion that includes:
- Designing new program elements as needed and/or building on current designs
- Identifying local partners to engage in designing, implementing, and evaluating relevant program activities
- Achievements
- Provided guidance and counseling to ten disadvantaged girls, supporting them to attend university/colleges after completing the curriculum
- Increased the number of students receiving comprehensive scholarships to attend public secondary school under AGE Africa from 20 to 150 within a year, and secured funding from donors during the consultancy period
- Developed a peer-led life skills curriculum for girls at AGE Africa
- Implemented peer-led life skills curriculum and programming, resulting in more than 15 rural girls supported by Advancing Girls' Education in Africa going into universities and other jobs.
Zomba Urban Community Day Secondary School
Deputy Head Teacher (Deputy School Principal)
07.1999 - 10.2010
Job overview
- Ensuring that the school operates efficiently and effectively by providing support and guidance to teaching and non-teaching staff
- Supporting the School Principal in developing and implementing policies, programs, and procedures that meet the educational needs of the students and the community
- Developing and implementing strategies to improve student achievement and promoting a positive school culture
- Ensuring that the school’s resources, such as teaching materials, equipment, and facilities, are utilized effectively
- Assisting in the preparation and management of the school’s budget, and ensuring that funds are used in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures
- Monitoring the school’s performance and identifying areas of improvement to enhance the quality of education provided
- Assisting the School Principal in the overall administration of the school
- Achievements
- Successfully improved academic performance and raised the O-level exam pass rate at Zomba Urban CDSS from 37% to 67% within 2 years;
- Heightened effective management of the school's finances, ensuring that funds are used in accordance with the government’s policies and procedures;
- Improved management, organization, and communication within the school that nurtured overall effective administration
- Promoted implementation of programmes and activities that fostered positive relationships among staff, students, and the community.
Southern East Education Division, Why Wait, Saharan Family Enrichment NGO
HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Skills Project Coordinator
01.2007 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Terms of Reference
- Conduct research on adolescent risk factors in schools
- Write proposals for interventions to address adolescent risk factors, securing donor funding for the initiatives
- Identify HIV-positive students in primary and secondary schools, providing counseling and support
- Develop and implement strategies to ensure that HIV-positive students have access to necessary resources and medical treatment
- Work with school administrators, teachers, and parents to create a supportive environment for students living with HIV
- Achievements
- Successfully secured donor funding for interventions to address adolescent risk factors in schools, leading to improved health and wellbeing for students
- Provided effective counseling and support to 45 HIV-positive students in primary and secondary schools, helping them to manage their condition and ensuring they have access to necessary resources and medical treatment
- Improved awareness and understanding of adolescent risk factors among school administrators, teachers, and parents through the dissemination of research findings and the development of effective intervention
- Life
Malawi National Examinations Board
Senoir Examiner
01.2005 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Terms of Reference
- Coordinate and facilitate WHY WAIT
- Training workshops for teachers at the primary, secondary, and university levels, as well as for Malawi Prison teachers in partnership with Sub-Saharan Family Enrichment NGO;
- Develop and implement training plans and curricula to ensure effective delivery of WHY WAIT
- Workshops and materials;
- Conduct monitoring and evaluation of WHY WAIT
- Implementation in schools to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
- Achievements
- Worked collaboratively with teachers, school administrators, and community members to build awareness and support for the WHY WAIT
- Program
- Contributed to the overall success of the WHY WAIT
- Life Skills Project by providing leadership, guidance, and support to workshop participants and program stakeholders., Terms of Reference
- Oversee the administration of the examination process, ensuring that it is conducted according to established procedures and that the integrity of the examination is maintained
- Provide technical support and advice to examination centres, schools, and other stakeholders on matters related to the examination process
- Analyze examination results, identify trends and patterns, and make recommendations for future improvements to the examination process
- Collaborate with other senior examiners and examination board staff to develop policies and procedures that improve the quality and effectiveness of the examination process
- Review and provide feedback on examination reports, marking schemes and results
- Achievements
- Improved the quality of examination materials
- Implemented innovative assessment techniques, ensuring fair, reliable, accurate and timely processing of examination results;
- Ensured compliance with national and international standards.
Mphungu Primary School
Head Teacher (Principal)
07.1989 - 06.1994
Job overview
- Provide leadership and direction for the school to ensure that it operates efficiently and effectively
- Develop and implement policies, programs, and procedures that meet the educational needs of the students and the community
- Ensure that the school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment for all students
- Supervise and support teaching and non-teaching staff to ensure that they carry out their responsibilities effectively
- Manage the school’s resources, such as teaching materials, equipment, and facilities, to ensure that they are used effectively
- Develop and implement strategies to improve student achievement and promote a positive school culture.
Education
Professional Certificate in Education, Planning, Economics and Finance
University Overview
University of Witwatersrand
Masters
2013
University Overview
NQF 9, Ref https://www.saqa.org.za
University of Malawi
Master’s from Education Policy, Planning and Leadership
2009
University Overview
University of Malawi
Bachelor of Education from Humanities
1999
University Overview
Domasi College of Education
Diploma
1997
University Overview
Blantyre Teachers College
Primary School Teaching Certificate
1989
University Overview
Skills
- Program Oversight
- Process Updates
- Strategic Planning
- Change Management
- Process Improvements
- Program Management
- Event Coordination
- Budget Development
- Policy Analysis
- Project Management
- Program Implementation
- Financial Management
- Problem Solving
- Resource Allocation
- Decision Making
- Technical Expertise
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Risk Assessment
- Team Leadership
- Data Analysis
- Performance Evaluation
- Operations Management
- Grant Proposals
- Google Drive
- Staff Coordination
- Report Generation
- Research Skills
- Planning and Coordination
- Operations Oversight
- Policy Development
Timeline
Deputy Director of Education
Ministry of Education
08.2019 - 10.2023
Principal Planning Officer
Ministry of Education
07.2015 - 07.2019
Senior Planning Officer
Ministry of Education
11.2010 - 07.2015
Programme Management Consultant
Advancing Girls Education, AGE
01.2009 - 01.2014
HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Skills Project Coordinator
Southern East Education Division, Why Wait, Saharan Family Enrichment NGO
01.2007 - 01.2010
Senoir Examiner
Malawi National Examinations Board
01.2005 - 01.2010
Deputy Head Teacher (Deputy School Principal)
Zomba Urban Community Day Secondary School
07.1999 - 10.2010
Head Teacher (Principal)
Mphungu Primary School
07.1989 - 06.1994
Professional Certificate in Education, Planning, Economics and Finance
University of Witwatersrand
Masters
University of Malawi
Master’s from Education Policy, Planning and Leadership
University of Malawi
Bachelor of Education from Humanities
Domasi College of Education
Diploma
Blantyre Teachers College
Primary School Teaching Certificate
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