Reading Improvement Strategies Specialist

INTRODUCTION:

 Creative Associates International (Creative) is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm has field presence in 20 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative International seeks a qualified Pre Service Teachers Education Specialist for a USAID-funded education project in Pakistan.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Pakistan Reading Project will improve the quality of reading in public and private schools across all of Pakistan; supporting at least 2.5 million additional primary school students to read at all level commensurate with standards at their grade level by the three mutually reinforcing components of teacher education and professional development, systems reform and civil society engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job Summary:

The Reading Improvement Strategies (RIS) Specialist will provide leadership in designing the state-ot-the art reading improvement strategies for the primary school system in collaboration with Pakistan Reading Project team, and support PRWG’s (Provincial Reading Working Groups) and DRWGs (District Reading Working Groups) in their capacity building to ensure effective implementation and sustainability of improved reading strategies in the project schools. The Specialist will report to the Technical Director for Policy.

Responsibilities:

• Identify internationally accepted models of best practices/strategies for effective teaching of reading, which can be specifically be applied to teaching of reading Urdu and English at primary school level for enhancing pupils’ reading competencies.
• Design comprehensive reading improvement strategies for primary school system in collaboration with Reading Advisor and other concerned PRP team members, and support implementation of RIS in the project schools.
• Prepare a framework for developing reading improvement strategies (RIS) and devise a workable mechanism for effective implementation and monitoring of RIS in the primary schools.
• Support PRWGs and DRWGs to prepare RIS monitoring tools and their utilization in monitoring progress on RIS, and linking their working mechanism with TIGs.
• Organize workshops to support capacity building of PRWGs/DRWGs in devising, implementing and monitoring reading improvement strategies.
• Facilitate PRWGs/DRWGs to prepare RIS action plans and implementation programs for their respective provinces/regions/districts.
• Capacity building of concerned PRP staff (e.g. Policy Coordinators/Officers) in supporting implementation and monitoring of RIS field activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in Primary Education, preferably with focus on reading improvement strategies;

Work Experiences:

• At least 6 years’ relevant experience in primary level teacher training, with focus on teaching reading instruction, preferably in early grades reading;
• At least 3 years’ experience in development of  reading improvement strategies/programs  for early grade reading improvement, preferably in Urdu and English;
• Have knowledge of relevant curriculum materials, content, standards and assessments methodologies relating to RIS.
• Experience with USAID projects preferred;
• Solid understanding of the Pakistani context, with previous experience in Pakistan preferred

Demonstrated Skills:

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with government counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders;
• Demonstrated success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation;
• Strong communication skills in Urdu and English desirable, both verbal and written.