Background
USAID is a development partner to the Government of Sindh and is currently supporting the Department of Education and Literacy with implementation of the Sindh Basic Education Program (SBEP) in Districts Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Dadu and selected towns of Karachi city. The overarching goal of SBEP is “Increased and Sustained Student Enrollment in Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools in targeted geographical locations in Sindh.” The Sindh Reading Program (SRP) is a five-year initiative in the same geographic areas of the parent SBEP. SRP will support the SBEP goal based on lessons learned from USAID and the Government of Sindh’s legacy of early grade teaching and learning.
Over the life of project, SRP aims to:
- Improve teacher competencies for effective early grade reading instruction (Component 1);
- Improve early grade reading assessment practice (Component 2);
- Improve student access to supplementary reading material (Component 3);
- Enhance participation of parents and caregivers in support of early grade literacy and early grade numeracy for out of school children (Component 4).
About Chemonics International:
On January 6, 2014, Chemonics International were awarded a contract by USAID to implement the Sindh Reading Program to achieve the aims above.
Chemonics is an international development company that partners with local and international organizations to promote social and economic change around the world. From our founding in 1975, we have worked in more than 150 countries to help our clients, partners, and beneficiaries face difficult challenges, from political instability to poor education performance, to a lack of market infrastructure. We have helped them overcome those challenges by working together to find and implement innovative projects that achieve development impact.
We are entirely employee-owned, giving us both the freedom and the responsibility to pursue our mission with single-minded focus. Holding ourselves to the highest quality standards, we are also committed to living our values of caring, excellence, innovation, integrity, and opportunity to implement efficient and effective programs that build a better future for those we serve.
At Chemonics, we believe our mission of helping people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives is driven by our commitment to service—service to our mission, to our beneficiaries, to our clients, and to our staff.
Position Objective
The Advisor for Early Learning and Literacy is a senior position responsible for successful implementation of reading and early childhood programs in the assigned target Districts. This individual will combine the skill set of early childhood education pedagogy, with experience in school performance and management to support the Government of Sindh in developing and/or using practical, scalable, low cost teaching and learning methods and systems to help improve early grade literacy. This is a long-term position, subject to availability of funds.
The Advisor for Early Learning and Literacy will adhere to and act in accordance with Chemonics’ professional code of ethics, ‘Living Our Values’, and will make the principles of the code a part of SRP’s culture and operating procedures.
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in education and/or a related field preferred;
- At least ten years’ experience in the development and implementation of early childhood education programs;
- Experience in the development of teacher education programs for early-grade instruction;
- Experience in supporting programs that promote literacy;
- Proven ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of senior level contacts in government, NGOs, and private sector organizations;
- Proven ability to work collegially and productively with a wide range of citizens and groups in regional and local government and in the community;
- Proven ability to work well in a team and with minimal supervision;
- Effective communication skills, including fluent written and analytical skills in Sindhi, Urdu, and English languages, enabling the employee to analyze textbooks and training materials, interpret complex situations and available resources, and to document options for decision makers in spoken and written presentations.
- Proven ability to plan, develop, manage, coordinate, and evaluate important and complex programs and projects;
- Proven ability to set clear goals with staff members, and guide staff to consistent achievement of those goals;
- Proven ability to make timely and effective decisions to produce results through strategic planning, implementation and evaluation of programs and policies.
- Willingness to travel frequently within targeted assigned districts of Northern Sindh as and when required.
Application Instructions:
Please email a CV, letter of interest, and names and contact information for three professional references to [email protected] no later than July 10, 2017. Please write “Early Learning and Literacy Advisor - Larkana” in the subject line.
Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.