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/Orphans and Vulnerable Children strategy’s strengths in acute vulnerability stabilization with education’s broad protective effects.

The Early Grade Reading (EGR) Manager – Jinja will

• Manage the adaptation, dissemination, and utilization of reading materials (in both English and Local Languages)
• Support teacher training and coaching activities and implementation of the Lead Teacher Program and Local Reading Support Program and associated Volunteer Literacy Tutoring (VLT)
• Communicate with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and local governments and facilitate EGR data use for planning, in coordination with the education ICYD technical team, monitoring and evaluation team, communications team, EDC Home Office technical advisors, and MoE, Local Governments (Districts, cities and municipalities) and MoES

The EGR Manager will oversee and guide the technical work of the EGR Officers in Jinja. S/he reports to the Senior Technical Advisor-Education and works closely with the overall EGR Manager, Senior Zonal Managers, and with the Materials Development Manager and Pre-Service Advisor to guide the operations and technical direction for EGR under the ICYD Activity. This is a full-time position based in Jinja.

Essential functions include (but not limited to):

• Provide overall technical oversight and guidance to program work in the zones related to improving instruction on EGR (in both English and Local Language), improving delivery systems for better EGR instruction, and increasing family and community engagement in early grade reading (Local Reading Support Plans and VLT);
• Partner with Local Government (District, City and Municipal) teams to improve teacher coaching and reading support efforts;
• Participate in relevant training and professional development activities led by ICYD’s main office team;
• Guide program staff in the zones 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 the ICYD 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 Education technical advisors in the peer-to-peer teacher support and “champion teacher” program and pilot of Lead Teacher Program;
• Collaborate with technical staff working on print and digital materials development and utilization;
• Ensure the quality of 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.

The candidate for the position of EGR Manager shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a field relevant to education with a specialty in EGR or another pedagogically oriented specialty;
• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible technical experience on EGR programs in both English and Local Languages;
• Recognized expertise in EGR in both English and Local Languages;
• Experience developing materials for EGR 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 Teachers’ Colleges and Local Governments (Districts and Municipalities) in conducting EGR training;
• Fluency in English and Lusoga is required;
• 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 EGR reform highly desired.

The application deadline is June 22, 2022.

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.

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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.

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.