Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.  Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity.  Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.  

Project Description

The USAID Let’s Read Project is a 5-year, $48.9 million project in the five target provinces of Eastern, Muchinga, Southern, Northwestern and Western Zambia that works to improve reading outcomes for approximately 1.4 million children attending pre-primary (kindergarten) through to Grades 3 and provide professional development for teachers to support reading interventions in Zambian public and community schools.

Position Description

EDC will develop a number of Interactive Audio Instruction (IAI) programs to support early grade reading and improve the quality of early education. These interactive audio programs will guide teachers and students through lessons to address specific learning objectives. The scriptwriter is part of a production team who works closely with other scriptwriters, actors and the production team.   Scripts should be both creative and educationally relevant to the learning objectives.   Both audio and written products should be attractive and hold the audience’s attention. It is the responsibility of the scriptwriter to gauge correctly the amount of material that has to be delivered within any one program or any one segment, and ensure the absolute accuracy of the information to be delivered.  This position reports to a scriptwriting coordinator  and will be based in Lusaka. 

The candidate for the position of Scriptwriter shall have among others, the following essential functions:

• Write scripts for pre-primary (Early Education or Reception) level education classes according to schedule and meet deadlines
• Developing believable plots and characters
• Write teacher’s guide sheets and other supplemental materials.
• Collaborate, exchange ideas and work in close cooperation with others scriptwriters and other technical Ministry of General Education (MoGE) and USAID Let’s Read staff involved in the development of scripts incorporating technical and pedagogical recommendations
• Assist in the formative evaluation of programs, participate in feedback sessions 
• Assist in the overall "master planning" for educational audio curriculum and program design process;
• Revise scripts according to formative evaluation assessment
• Participate and contribute to the overall audio program design process
• Maintain electronic and analog records 
• Work timely and effectively to meet deadlines
• Willing to work extra hours when necessary
• Perform others duties as assigned

The candidate for the position of Script Writer shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

At least a high school degree, Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 1-3 years of relevant experience. 

Skills and Experience:

• Experience in Theater Arts, Script Development or equivalent preferred
• Oral fluency in at least one of with MOGE recognized languages of instruction (Silozi, Luvale, Lunda, Citonga, Cinyanja, Icibemba, Kikaonde) 
• Ability to write and read in one or more local languages a plus and should be noted
• Familiar with culture (songs, poetry…), creativity, flexibility, use of imagination, initiative and ability to work with a team toward a common goal are essential
• Teaching experience in early education / pre-primary a plus
• Experience in the production of educational materials, preferred;
• Ability to self-manage: Scriptwriters will manage individual work within an overall timeline and are responsible for adhering to requirements for each work product
• Team work:  This is an essential part of the whole process. Teamwork ensures that all scripts are written in a coordinated manner among scripts writers. Each script will rely on what was written in the scripts before it so that there is uniformity, continuity and no ambiguity.
• Meeting deadlines: A number of scripts will be required to be produced in a given period. All steps involved in the process of writing to broadcasting will mainly be time driven.
• Excellent writing skills;
•  Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent English communication skills.
• Excellent basic software competence; Word, Excel

Language:

Fluency in English is required. One or more of the following languages is desired; Silozi, Kikaonde, Lunda, Luvale, Cinyanja, Icibemba, Chitonga

Job Closing Date: June 28, 2019

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be considered.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.