ISAAC NII NARKU QUARCOO
Adenta
Summary
Seasoned professional with over 30 years' track record in education, project management, and community development. Demonstrated expertise in education administration and policy formulation, child rights advocacy, school infrastructure design, and community empowerment initiatives. Proven track record as a consultant, activity manager, and technical advisor with a strong skill set in policy formulation, training and program design, quality assurance, and monitoring and evaluation. Extensive experience in designing and implementing educational programs tailored for underserved and marginalized communities. Skills in managing large portfolios and grants aimed at improving learning outcomes, with a history of leading and executing education for international NGOs. Adept at communicating effectively in English, both orally and in writing, with a demonstrated ability to multitask and lead collaborative teams. Technically proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and achieving project goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Office Director / Program Management Specialist (Education)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
01.2023 - Current
- Supports the office chief in managing the $75M education portfolio as deputy office chief, and serves as office chief in the absence of the office chief.
- Provides program and administrative oversight to the Education Office, participates fully in the oversight of all programmatic, administrative, and financial aspects of Mission education sector activities to ensure that Agency results objectives are being effectively accomplished within Mission and USAID programmatic and financial guidelines and regulations.
- Provides the Office and the Mission with technical expertise, and has management responsibility for projects in support of the Government of Ghana (GoG) goals and objectives in improved instruction, educational assessment, community participation, and education data management and use.
- As a supervisor, I perform the full range of supervisory responsibilities, carrying out a variety of administrative functions, as follows: the Specialist assists office employees in resolving problems; assigns tasks, provides guidance, and monitors performance; monitors the performance of tasks assigned directly by the Office Chief; and approves or recommends approval of time and attendance, overtime, and annual leave usage.
- Prepares performance evaluation reports, or participates with considerable weight in their preparation, on all Office staff, and recommends employees for awards, promotions, or disciplinary action; for employees evaluated by the Office Chief, this includes providing input on employee performance, and the identification of employee strengths and weaknesses, training needs.
- Attends senior staff meetings with the Office Chief and represents Office in the Office Chief’s absence or preoccupation, ensuring that actions assigned during such meetings are carried out in a timely manner.
- Serves as AOR/Activity Manager for major programs, projects, and activities in the education sector, and provides oversight and mentoring to the programs, projects, and activities managed by other office specialists.
- Assures objectives are being effectively met, within Mission and Agency guidelines, and regulations.
- Oversees, monitors, and reports on IP performance through the review of project documentation, communications, and periodic field visits.
- Manages the review and approval process of annual work plans and other planned activities, evaluating and analyzing IP data to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of development activities.
- Participates in the design and development of new education sector activities and initiatives, leveraging and coordinating the resources available from technical experts and others, both internal and external to the Mission and Agency.
- Serves as a liaison to counterparts within the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Services, academia, civil society organizations, education sector partners, IPs, and other development partners on policy and project issues.
- Provides general and targeted briefings to visitors, short-term consultants, and other program-related guests of USAID (e.g., congressional delegations, senior-level USAID officials, and others), and represents the Office and USAID at internal and external events, receptions, conferences, and workshops.
- Serves as a resource for USAID and the Embassy to inter-agency and other personnel by addressing requests for technical and programmatic information, and providing guidance related to USAID/USG educational initiatives and goals.
- Provides liaison to other Mission Offices to ensure that cross-cutting and complementary objectives are met.
- Maintains contact with IPs and grantees implementing USAID-funded programs, projects, and activities in the sector. Within the Embassy, contacts are made with counterpart staff and with senior staff as needed.
- Maintains frequent and substantive personal contacts with senior-level officials of the Government of Ghana (GoG) and with the private sector for the purpose of explaining and defending USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and to transmit and interpret GoG and private-sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials.
Manager, Education Program
International Needs Ghana (INGH)
01.2017 - 12.2022
- Provide technical guidance and lead in the development and implementation of strategic plans for the Education Program.
- Provide technical guidance to Education team on proposal and report writing to various Stakeholders.
- Manage the construction of new classroom block for ACS.
- Implement International Needs Assistance Program (INAP) in sixteen schools and communities.
- Support schools, School Management Committees (SMCs) and Education directorates to play their roles efficiently.
- Represent International Needs (IN) on 8 SMCs in Volta, Greater Accra and Upper East Regions.
- Work with school (SMC and Child Right Clubs - CRCs) and Community (Child Protection Committees - CCPCs) structures to ensure the child is protected at school and in the community.
- Provide guidance and counselling support to teachers and parents.
- Ensure successful implementation of the Education Program within INGH programmatic and financial regulations.
- Reporting and discussing projects and schedule with Head of Programs.
- Implementing the International Needs child protection policy.
- Ensure collection, compilation and analysis of all data necessary for operational decision-making and donor reporting requirements.
- Set up information management systems to ensure that the partners comply with reporting requirements and programming standards.
- Conduct participatory monitoring with stakeholders to ensure Program quality and compliance with IN agreements.
- Ensure the development and implementation of performance agreements with partners.
- Assist in the evaluation of Education Program.
- Facilitate training for team members based on training needs identified.
- Review staff training plans proposed by Program Officers, Program Assistants and make appropriate recommendations to Head of Programs.
- Review training proposals submitted by partners to ensure relevance, adequacy, completeness and timeliness of execution in accordance with Program objectives.
- Collaborate with circuit supervisors, directors and District Directors of Ghana Education Service.
- Manage the working partnership between IN, GEC and the MEU in the management of IN Schools in the Greater Accra and Volta Regions of Ghana.
- Arrange and attending partnership meetings and debrief HOP on matters arising on the partnership and the way forward.
- Represent IN at meetings with collaborating organizations.
- Supervise Education team members.
- Lead in drawing annual work plan and budget for Education Team.
- Manage budgets and authorization of program expenditure.
- Review financial requests from project partners and make appropriate recommendations to the Head of Programs.
- Procure goods and services for the projects and program.
Senior Program Officer/ Schools Coordinator
International Needs Ghana (INGH)
10.2010 - 12.2017
- Supervised all International Needs Ghana (INGH) education program.
- Supervised twelve (12) head teachers, one hundred and thirty-six (136) teachers and twenty-three (23) non-teaching staff.
- Assisted in recruiting and hiring of teachers for INGH schools.
- Provided guidance and counselling support for students, teachers and parents.
- Trained and built the capacities of PTAs and SMCs.
- Wrote and submitted quarterly and annual reports on progress of education in INGH schools and communities.
- Wrote of proposals for funding of school projects.
- Monitored and evaluated school activities.
- Designed and implemented training program to build capacity of all teaching and non-teaching staff in INGH schools.
- Organised and facilitated SPAM in public and private schools and communities.
- Liaised with the Ministry of Education, GES and other stakeholders to promote the education of children in INGH schools.
- Followed up on children to ensure their welfare and progress in the schools and communities.
- Ensured compliance to INGH child Protection Code of Conduct.
- Managed INGH Sponsorship Program (INCAP).
- Purchased and distributed school materials.
Education
Monitoring and Evaluation - Certificate
Ghana Institute of Management And Public Administration (GIMPA)
Accra01-2014
Project Management - Prince 2 Foundation - Certificate
APMG-International
Accra01-2012
M. Ed - Educational Administration & Management
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION WINNEBA (UEW)
Winneba01-2009
Human Resources Management - Foundation
Institute of Human Resources Management Practitioners, Ghana
Accra01-2004
B.Sc. (HONS) - Biological Science
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST (UCC)
Cape Coast01-1996
Diploma - Education
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST (UCC)
Cape Coast01-1996
GCE Advanced Level -
SWEDRU SECONDARY SCHOOL
Swedru01-1989
GCE Ordinary Level -
ADISADEL COLLEGE
Cape Coast01-1986
Skills
- Team leadership and support
- Training facilitation
- Staff supervision
- Time management
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Project management
- Participatory planning and monitoring
- Multi-tasking
- Contract writing and negotiation
- Grant management
Awards
- 2004, Certificate of participation in training workshop on Community Development Initiatives., Institute of Adult Education (University of Ghana, Legon)
- 2002, Certificate of Participation in Financial management, School Governance and Control, Africa Project Development Project (apdf)
- 1996, Certificate of Honour for dedicated services and promotion of the welfare of the general student body of Ghana., National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)
- 1995, Certificate of Honour for meritorious service, leadership and promotion of the welfare of the general students’ body of Ghana., Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of University of Cape Coast (UCC)
- 1994, Certificate of Merit proficiency for dedicated services to the university., Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of University of Cape Coast (UCC)
References
- Rasheena Reid, Education Office Director, USAID/Ghana, raharris@usaid.gov
- Jonathan Jake Thomsen, Deputy Education Office Director, USAID/Ghana, jthomsen@usaid.gov
- Abdulai Mahama, Deputy Office Director/ Program Budget Specialist, Office of Program and Project Development, USAID/Ghana, amahama@usaid.gov
Workshops And Seminars
- 2019, Leadership Communication, International Needs, Australia
- 2018, Essentials of Leadership Excellence, Temple Advisory
- 2014, Risk Management, International Needs, Australia
- 2012, Child Protection, International Needs, Ghana
- 2010, Financial Management Training for Schools, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- 2010, How to Write Reports and Interpret Financial Statements with Ease, Michael & Associates Ltd
- 2009, Guidance and Counselling, Ghana Education Service
Research
- 01/01/06, 12/31/08, Factors Influencing Teacher Motivation: A case study of basic schools in the Ga – East District of the Greater Accra Region.
- 01/01/95, 12/31/96, The effect of aqueous extract of Cassia allata on insect pests of Vigna unguiculata.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Deputy Office Director / Program Management Specialist (Education)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
01.2023 - Current
Manager, Education Program
International Needs Ghana (INGH)
01.2017 - 12.2022
Senior Program Officer/ Schools Coordinator
International Needs Ghana (INGH)
10.2010 - 12.2017
Monitoring and Evaluation - Certificate
Ghana Institute of Management And Public Administration (GIMPA)
Project Management - Prince 2 Foundation - Certificate
APMG-International
M. Ed - Educational Administration & Management
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION WINNEBA (UEW)
Human Resources Management - Foundation
Institute of Human Resources Management Practitioners, Ghana
B.Sc. (HONS) - Biological Science
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST (UCC)
Diploma - Education
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST (UCC)
GCE Advanced Level -
SWEDRU SECONDARY SCHOOL
GCE Ordinary Level -
ADISADEL COLLEGE
Similar Profiles
YEHUDE SIMON VALCÁRCELYEHUDE SIMON VALCÁRCEL
Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - All In For DevelopmentCommunication and Knowledge Management Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - All In For Development
Maryam AbdullahiMaryam Abdullahi
CPARS Alternate Focal Point at United States Agency for International Development, USAIDCPARS Alternate Focal Point at United States Agency for International Development, USAID
Jeffery P. CohenJeffery P. Cohen
Mission Director at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)Mission Director at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Emelia Adorkor BanfroEmelia Adorkor Banfro
NURSE, NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL at Shai Osu-Doku District HospitalNURSE, NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL at Shai Osu-Doku District Hospital
Sandra YeboahSandra Yeboah
Staff Nurse at University of Ghana Medical CenterStaff Nurse at University of Ghana Medical Center