EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

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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.

The Leading through Learning Global Platform project in the International Development Division has an opening for a Learning Network Leader – Foundational Skills, reporting to the LTLGP Project Director, in Washington DC. The Learning Network Leader may be based out of any of EDC's offices or a remote hire, and is not restricted to Washington, DC.                    

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL ADVISOR (Learning Network Leader  (LNL) – Foundation Skills)

Regular Part-Time (50% with potential for up to Full-Time based on availability)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Leading through Learning Global Platform (LTLGP) is designed to significantly contribute to the establishment and expansion of a global education learning system for USAID and its partners. In this way, LTLGP will not only enhance education program quality; it will further position USAID as a thought leader in knowledge management for development. Essential elements of the system include USAID DC and Mission education teams; US, international, and locally based implementing, research partners, donor and private sector partners; international and local representatives of other global/regional education networks; and partner country government and local representatives.

LTLGP is structured as a distributed network of 3-6 regional hubs, including one DC-based hub, through which members have the opportunity to access, build and share knowledge to address local needs while at the same time benefiting from and contributing to a global community of learning. The hub structure will create a platform through which participants in multiple regions and/or countries can identify and share local needs, interests, knowledge products and expertise and benefit from knowledge that is created and shared from other regional hubs, including USAID Washington. Each hub will house local “chapters” of technically-focused Learning Networks (LNs). These will build on the experience of the two USAID-focused LNs the Global Reading Network (GRN) and the Education in Crisis and Conflict Network (ECCN).

The Learning Network Leader - Foundational Skills (LNL FS) will provide technical leadership across all LTLGP hubs and as a result is responsible for planning for, overseeing and implementing, and making linkages among LN Foundational Skills activities across all of LTLGP’s hubs. LN activities include LN work plan development and execution in response to member demand and collaboration with Hub Coordinators and other LN Leaders;  LN work plans will include a mix of activities including the development and/or sharing of knowledge products (such as tools, assessments, implementation research reports, empirical research reports, policy research reports, literature and landscape reviews, White Papers, Guidance Notes, How-To Notes); learning events (such as webcasts, consultations, round-tables, co-design sessions, etc.); and professional development opportunities (such as in-person or virtual training events) which respond to member priorities. The LNL will also be responsible for contributing to the identification, mobilization and coordination of Steering Group members and related SG work, in line with the LTLGP LN and Hubs purpose and mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

LNL FS Functions  (50% time):

• Work with USAID and the LTLGP Secretariat to implement and update a strategic vision and plan for addressing priority USAID Learning Agenda topics in the foundational skills technical areas;
• Liaise with other multi-stakeholder groups in the foundational skills technical sphere to assure LTLGP coordination, learning and sharing with these groups;
• Work with Regional Hub Coordinators in supporting the development and functioning of regional LN chapters (recruiting and communicating with members, growing membership, connecting with relevant local/regional stakeholder groups);
• Support LN chapters to identify appropriate members to form part of Regional Steering Groups (cross-LN);
• Support LN chapters in identifying and sharing learning needs and local knowledge with other LN chapters/globally, and with the LTLGP Secretariat;
• Support LN chapters to develop annual work plans;
• With the Secretariat, support LN chapters in identifying, producing (as appropriate) and disseminating knowledge products, learning events, and professional development;
• Make linkages between emerging new cross-cutting knowledge and those LN chapters that may be interested in this; and
• Work with LTLGP Secretariat to assure that LN communication needs and contributions are supported.

Other non LTLGP Essential Functions (potentially up to 50% time based on availability)

Basic Education Technical Assistance:

• Provides technical assistance for basic education projects with on emphasis on early grade reading, math, and social emotional skills in developing and middle income countries, including periodic travel to and work from field offices and remote collaboration with project teams.
• Stays abreast of, synthesizes, and communicates research, needs, and trends in basic education to support program improvement.
• Collaborates with members of the IDD International Basic Education Team to implement quality assurance processes, train IDD staff, and adjust overall technical strategies and approaches to reflect lessons learned and emerging research findings.

Business Development Functions:

• Participates in the design of potential new basic education interventions and contributes to writing technical sections of proposals.
• May act as technical lead for proposal design, as needed.

The role requires educational achievement and a strategic mind set; demonstrated technical expertise in basic education; writing skills, creativity, and flexibility; the ability to work independently and effectively; and strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Specific requirements: 

• Master’s Degree required.
• With Master’s degree, 7–10 years related experience, including technical experience with USAID-funded projects.
• With PhD, 5–7 years related experience (as above).
• Knowledge of best practices and demonstrated experience in field-based education programming are required.
• Experience leading research or program implementation work in the foundational skills technical area.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including in working collaboratively with USAID and implementing partners.
• Current or recent affiliation with relevant multi-stakeholder networks with a particular emphasis on foundational skills.
• Strong program and team management skills.
• Desired technical skill areas include curriculum development; standards development; literacy and mathematics assessment; materials development and production; teacher training; coaching and instructional supervision; community development to support education; gender and social inclusion; and instructional media.
• Experience writing successful proposals for international education programming. Experience with USAID proposal writing preferred.
• Professional proficiency in English and at least one other language desired.  French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, or local languages of EDC implementing contexts preferred.
• At least 5 years of international experience is required; experience in a developing country is preferred.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.