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.  

The USAID Global Book Alliance in Action project has an opening for an International Technical Associate (II), reporting to the Chief of Party.                             

POSITION SUMMARY

The Global Digital Library Technical Advisor will provide support to the Norad-funded Global Digital Library (GDL) to increase the use of materials available in over 80 languages. The GDL Technical Advisor will coordinate with staff from USAID Missions and Implementing Partners to facilitate the inclusion of materials developed by USAID projects onto the GDL and increase the understanding and use of the GDL by projects as well as by Ministries of Education and other stakeholders.

This position may be full time or part time depending on the availability of the chosen applicant. 

The selected candidate may choose to work remotely or may be based out of our Waltham Ma or Washington DC office. 

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.

The International Technical Associate (II) independently provides technical support to project staff in the US and abroad, including:

• Collaborating with Global Digital Library (GDL) staff on a regular basis
•  Assisting the GDL in identifying opportunities for expanding and promoting its services to a wider user base
•  Developing training materials to improve the use of the GDL and implement the training with USAID staff and other stakeholders
• Promoting the use of the GDL to Missions, ministries, implementing partners, GBA members and other stakeholders
• Coordinating with USAID implementing partners to facilitate the provision of materials onto the GDL including;
  • Conducting outreach to implementing partner staff
  • Providing guidance around providing materials to the GDL, including conducting training with implementing partner staff on the necessary steps for converting files into ePUB and uploading
  • Conducting Quality Assurance reviews of materials provided
  • Coordinating any queries with the GDL team
  • Managing the upload to the GDL.
• Coordinating Translation Sprint activities to translate exiting GDL material into new languages
• Conducting analyses of GDL materials in specific languages and develop reports on usage and areas of opportunity for expansion
• Providing verbal and written reports to GBAIA, USAID, Ministries of Education and other stakeholders as appropriate
• Identifying other opportunities to support the GDL and use by the Ministries, the GBA and other stakeholders
• Supporting or managing technical plans
• Monitoring technical compliance
•  research, analysis, and synthesis
• Documenting
• Maintaining records
• Preparing recommendations
• Drafting technical reports
• Writing and developing materials
• Disseminating information, including website content
• Developing presentations
• Managing administrative technical procedures
• Identifying & recruiting technical consultants; developing their scope of work
• Assisting with design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems
• Recommending efficiency improvements or future focus areas
• Drafting section of proposals
• Participating in decisions concerning training content and format

The International Technical Associate (II)

• Coordinates technical tasks
• Coordinates quality assurance
• Facilitates project teamwork and feedback exchanges
• Troubleshoots complex problems, proposing initiatives and recommending or negotiating solutions
• Trains, supervises, and provides guidance or technical direction to junior staff;
• Acts as technical liaison between home offices and field-based staff
• Travels

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills.

Specific requirements:

•  Master’s degree
• PhD in a related field preferred
• With Master’s degree, 4–6 years related technical experience relevant to the project, programs and operations
• With PhD, 1–3 years related technical experience relevant to the project, programs and operations
• Some prior project technical leadership experience preferred
• Demonstrable organizational and troubleshooting skills
• Strong analytical skills and aptitude for details
• Foreign language fluency
• International experience
• Technical abilities related to conversion of ePUB
• Experience with InDesign preferred

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. 

Offices in Washington, DC. and Waltham, MA. Position may also work remotely.