EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.   

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

This Activity will address the mutually reinforcing relationship between improving learning outcomes and improving wellbeing and employ a comprehensive approach that merges PEPFAR/OVC’s strengths in acute vulnerability stabilization with education’s broad protective effects.

The Early Grade Reading (EGR) Manager will manage the adaptation and dissemination of reading materials (in both English and Local Languages), teacher training and coaching, teacher incentive programming, EGR communications with MoES, and EGR data use for planning in coordination with the technical team, monitoring and evaluation team, communications team, EDC home office technical advisors, and MoES. The EGR Manager will oversee and guide the technical work of the EGR Officers in the six ICYD zones. S/he reports to the Senior Technical Advisor-Education and works closely with the Materials Development Manager and Pre-Service Advisor to guide the technical direction for Early Grade Reading under the ICYD Activity. This is a full-time position based in Kampala, Uganda.

Essential functions include (but not limited to):

• Provide overall technical oversight and guidance to program work related to improving instruction on early grade reading (in both English and Local Language), improving delivery systems for better early grade reading instruction, and increasing family and community engagement in early grade reading;
• Coordinate with EDC home office EGR Technical Advisor and STTA team to ensure that ICYD aligns with EDC’s early literacy approach and reflects current best practices in EGR, including in the use of distance education methodologies to support EGR; 
• Partner with Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports and Local Government (District and Municipal) personnel in the appraisal of reading support efforts; 
• Participate in relevant training and professional development activities led by EDC’s home office team;
• Guide program staff on essential components of reading programs, including curriculum design, lesson planning, instructional approach, teacher professional development, materials development and distribution, classroom-level assessment, and large-scale assessment, to develop and integrate highly effective activities for maximum effectiveness at the program level;
• Engage with actors (including Private Sector partners) across the education system to optimize use of available resources with specific attention to school and classroom management practice, including quality assurance, supportive supervision, and coaching leading to improvement in learning outcomes at the primary school level;
• Collaborate closely with Arizona State University technical advisors and Pre-service Advisor supporting pre-service EGR teacher training to ensure alignment and coordination of pre- and in-service content and approaches;
• Collaborate closely with RedEarth technical advisors in the peer to peer teacher support and “champion teacher” program and pilot of Good Practice in EGR teacher recognition program with the MoES;
• Collaborate with technical staff working on print and digital materials development, training and coaching, and community reading support;
• Ensure the quality of teaching and learning materials and training and coaching resources;
• Coordinate teacher and student assessment and evaluation efforts with the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of the project’s learning agenda and actively participate in Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) processes in place within the project;
• Contribute to and ensure the accuracy of ICYD and EDC communications efforts related to the project’s EGR work;
• Support other project specialists to ensure coherent design and implementation;
• Work with home office experts and local partners to ensure program relevance and quality; and
• Other duties, as assigned.

Education:

• Master’s degree in a field relevant to education with a specialty in early grade reading or another pedagogically-oriented specialty.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible technical experience on early-grade reading programs in both English and Local Language;
• Recognized expertise in early grade reading in both English and Local Languages/ Mother Tongue;
• Experience developing materials for early-grade reading in both English and Local Language; experience designing teacher training programs for pre-service and in-service highly desired;
• Experience in working with MoES officials including Primary Teacher Colleges (PTCs) and Local Governments (Districts and Municipalities) in conducting EGR training; 
• Proven ability to coordinate and manage teams;
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a cross cultural setting, problem solve, and function well under pressure;
• Program experience in East Africa (Uganda preferred);
• Experience with USAID-funded projects preferred;
• Expertise in policy for Early-grade reading reform highly desired.

Application Instructions:

Job closing date: October 9, 2020

To apply, Applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers Page at: https://go.edc.org/EDCUgandaJobs

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

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

EDC is 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.

 This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.