Senior Reading Specialist
Africa Region
Education for Development Division
Senior Reading Specialist
Background:
Creative Associates International Incorporated is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in more than 20 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients, including the U.S. Department of State. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Position Summary:
The early grade reading specialist provides overall technical oversight and guidance to the project’s support to improved reading instruction. He/she supervises the production of all project-supported teaching-learning and supplementary materials for reading, instructional and classroom management approaches, training content development and delivery in reading, teacher support, supervision and monitoring, and classroom diagnostic and assessment tools and techniques. He/she ensures coordination of activities across all geographic target areas, liaises with government representatives on technical and reading-related policy issues, and is responsible for ensuring the project achieves improved reading outcomes. S/he will work with other project staff and partners to ensure objectives are attained. This position reports to the DCOP/technical. This position will supervise other technical staff related to the reading program such as curriculum development, materials development, teacher training, and community mobilization.
Requirements:
· Master’s Degree in education, preferably with a specialty in early grade reading. Ph.D. in education with a focus on early grade instruction is preferred.
· Minimum 8 years of experience in providing technical direction of programs in Africa region that work specifically to improve early grade reading required. Prior experience with the development of early grade reading materials, training programs, classroom monitoring protocols, and tests and assessments, including EGRA, is required. Prior experience working with grassroots groups to monitor reading outcomes and generate support for reading programs is preferable.[AW(1]
· Experience supervising technical teams, with increasing responsibility and proven track record of results.
· Experience with USAID funded programs or similar donor required. Familiarity with USAID’s reading philosophy and methodology preferred.
· Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.
· Excellent written and spoken English required.
[AW(1]
RFP requirements for Senior Reading Specialist:
The reading specialist provides overall technical oversight and guidance to the project’s support to improved reading instruction. He/she supervises the production of all NEI+-supported reading material, all NEI+-supported trainings in reading, all teacher and classroom supervision and monitoring and all student testing efforts. He/she ensures complementarity of activity approaches in reading across the three NEI+ activity states, liaises with government representatives and technicians on technical matters, and bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring that children in NEI+ public, IQTE, and NFLC schools achieve improved outcomes in reading. It is expected that the reading specialist will work directly with a Hausa language expert (particularly if the reading specialist is not conversant and fluent in written and spoken Hausa).
Education: Requires a Master’s Degree in education, preferably with a specialty in early grade reading. Ph.D. in education with a focus on early childhood education and/or early grade learning preferred.
Skills and Experience: At least 8 years of experience in programs in sub-Saharan Africa that work specifically to improve early grade reading is required. Prior experience with the development of early grade reading materials, training programs, classroom monitoring protocols, and tests and assessments, including EGRA, is required. Prior experience with supporting civil-society based monitoring of reading outcomes is required.
HOW TO APPLY:
Application Instructions:
Applicants can apply by visiting the careers section of our website:
Please note only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please.
Creative Associates International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply. AA/V/D.
