Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. 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.   

Activity Description

The purpose of the USAID Dominican Republic Basic Education Recovery Activity will help Ministry of Education (MINERD) achieve the goals outlined in the institutional strategic plan to improve the quality of education in the early grades of primary school, with special attention given to diminishing the long-standing gaps in students’ learning outcomes that were further exacerbated by COVID-19 school closures. The Basic Education Recovery Activity will coordinate with MINERD to achieve four key objectives: 1) Improve literacy instruction in pre-first and the early primary grades; 2) Provide remedial reading interventions for students in first through third grade who are most at risk for academic failure; 3) Implement social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions for all students in grades pre-first through third grade; and 4) strengthen system-level inputs/processes to ensure improved reading and SEL outcomes for all children. Applicants are encouraged to identify private sector and other innovative solutions to accomplish the desired objectives and results of the activity.

Position Description

The Technical Advisor provides overall technical oversight and guidance to the activity’s support to improved reading instruction, including reading standards, benchmarks, curricula, and assessment systems. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic individual with demonstrated knowledge of primary education sector work, adaptive pedagogy, early grade learning approaches for reading, experience working with MINERD specialists in the development of training modules, assessment, and supplementary materials, and will possess the ability to respectfully collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

The candidate for the position of Technical Advisor shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Master’s Degree in education with a specialty in early grade reading or another pedagogically oriented specialty is required.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated relevant technical expertise;
• Demonstrates increased responsibilities in leading and managing technical teams;
• Proven technical expertise and knowledge of international evidence-based approaches to improved literacy outcomes and systems strengthening to support Early Grade Literacy;
• Experience in building local and district accountability and networks to support student retainment;
• Experience in teacher professional development, curriculum and materials development, using technology to support instruction and learning, and/or instructional leadership development;
• Understanding of and experience with best practices in disability inclusive and gender-responsive pedagogy; Universal Design for Learning; and social emotional learning;
• Experience working with MINERD; specifically on EGR and Remediation activities;
• Experience in remote and hybrid learning, specifically Interactive Audio Instruction strongly preferred; and
• Experience in a collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA)-focused management environment.

Language:

Fluency in Spanish and Working Proficiency in English is required.

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.