Academic and Operations Manager

 

Background:

Developments in Literacy (DIL), a non-profit founded in 1997, educates and empowers underprivileged students, especially girls, by operating student-centered model schools; and provides high-quality professional development to teachers and principals across Pakistan. DIL currently operates and manages 126 school campuses with over 1,000 teachers and principals and an enrollment of nearly 21,000 students.

DIL believes that no child in Pakistan, no matter how poor or underprivileged, should be denied access to quality education. All children should have equal opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute toward the socio-economic betterment of their communities.

 

Project Background:

TEAL (Technology Enabled Academic Learning) is a tablet-based, blended learning project being developed for middle grade level students in DIL schools. TEAL uses tablets to bring videos and assessments directly to students to support the core subjects: Urdu, English, math and science. The approach is integrated with DIL’s curriculum, which supports activity-based learning. All TEAL content is aligned with Pakistan’s National Standards for each subject.

Scope of Work:

An Academic Manager is needed for managing the day to day operations for TEAL, providing subject content input and logistics support. The position will require coordination between multiple departments to ensure efficient running of the project. Responsibilities will include:

Content Support:

• Review lesson packages (lesson plans, slides, produced videos, pre/post-tests, and translations) in conjunction with Curriculum Director

• Serve as liaison between consultants, video production team and IT department

• Update and organize Basecamp files

• Manage content production schedule

• Write lesson packages on as-needed basis for all subject areas (most notably for Urdu)

• Provide Urdu translation support for voiceovers and lesson plan translations where needed

 Implementation Management:

• Operationalize program plan ensuring activities are delivered on schedule in cooperation with Program Development Director

• Maintain school, teacher and enrollment information in conjunction with Program Team

• Maintain details about hardware and distribution of equipment to schools in collaboration with IT Team

• Schedule trainings in conjunction with Training Director

• Liaise between departments to ensure TEAL is monitored and supported systematically throughout implementation

• Monitor, report and respond to Virtual Teacher Community of Practice via What’s App

• Coordinate standardized implementation of end of term student assessments together with Programs and Monitoring and Evaluation teams

• Facilitate collection of feedback from principals, teachers and students.

 Administrative Support:

• Update and Organize Basecamp files

• Provide regular updates in team meetings discussing issues from the field related all areas of TEAL: content, technology, assessments, and any other matters related to the project

• Track beneficiary information

• Provide project budget management support

 

Selection Criteria - Qualifications & Experience:

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills at an operational level including effective management of people, resources and finances
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player
• Previous teaching experience at the middle grade level (preferably teaching grades 6 and 7)
• Strong command of age/grade appropriate pedagogy as it relates to each subject
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Skype and web-based project management sites
• Strong research skills
• Outstanding writing and editing skills including the ability to convey information in simple English
• Strong interpersonal skills (written in emails and verbally during Skype conference calls)
• Able to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Experience managing complex programs with multiple stakeholders preferred

 

Key Functions/Expected Outputs:

In this role, the Academic Manager will be responsible for the following:

 

1. Academic Coordination: Ensure that all TEAL lesson packages (lesson plan, video, pre/post-tests and slides) are written according to guidelines. Support Curriculum Director with lesson package review (most notably with Urdu). Manage content development schedule and coordinate with multiple departments to ensure materials are provided on time for uploading to server. Provide Urdu translation support for Science and Math materials and be able to develop lesson components if needed. Frequent and ongoing updates and identification of issues will be needed to different departments to support smooth running of the project. 

 

1. Project Management: Ensure TEAL program is implemented according to plan. Serve as a liaison across departments to effectively operationalize the TEAL program at DIL schools. Coordinate content delivery, communicate hardware needs, status and configuration timelines, communicate program objectives and activities to school staff, arrange training, observation follow-up and facilitate teacher participation in a virtual community of practice, coordinate TEAL student written assessments, and communicate results and learnings.

 

Key Deliverables:

Academic Manager will be expected to lead TEAL team working across departments. Academic content will be delivered according to schedule adhering to DIL’s guidelines for quality instruction.