RTI International is one of the world's leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Our staff of more than 3,700 provides research and technical services to governments and businesses in more than 75 countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international development, economic and social policy, energy and the environment, and laboratory testing and chemical analysis. In the international education sector, from our longstanding work in post-apartheid South Africa to innovative work in Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), including recently in Ethiopia, RTI works to improve education quality, relevance, access, and efficiency around the world. RTI is recruiting for the USAID Ethiopia READ-TA education project, focused on curriculum revision and textbook development. We are looking for proven performance in a variety of areas, with knowledge and experience in implementing evidence-based approaches to instructional improvement. READ TA has 3-cross-cutting themes: gender, inclusive education and technology. This position will be a long term assignment. Local candidates are preferred. Females are strongly encouraged to apply.
JOB SUMMARY: The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) Curriculum and Capacity Building is the supervisor and leader for all technical activities. S/he holds a record for clear and effective leadership, management and administration. S/he ensures coherent work planning and resource allocations, timely project implementation, monitoring activities, and preparing reports for USAID submission. S/he will be responsible for management and supervision of technical staff and ensuring they are kept informed of the Program’s progress.
Overall DCOP Curriculum and Capacity Building responsibilities include providing planning, management and oversight of READ TA technical operations, including: developing implementation plans with Finance, Human Resources, Logistics, and Cost-Share functions to ensure effective and efficient operations; planning and management of capacity building for technical staff; contributing to the development and monitoring of annual budgets from a technical perspective; regularly reporting on technical progress; and maintaining good relationships with relevant READ TA stakeholders at central and regional level. S/he will occasionally represent and speak with USAID on behalf of READ TA.
JOB FUNCTIONS:
Provide technical leadership, quality assurance and capacity building for the design, delivery and evaluation of all READ TA technical activities, and specifically the Mother Tongue curriculum revision and textbook development.
Provide strategic guidance to operationalize READ TA activities.
Ensure timely and quality completion of technical, financial and contractual deliverables.
Ensure program implementation is in accordance of USAID rules, regulations and procedures per specifications of the Cooperative Agreement.
Work and coordinate with national and regional ministerial working groups to support implementation of READ TA activities and development of Mother Tongue teaching and learning.
Provide guidance and work in collaboration with MOE, RSEB, CTE and Implementing partners for pre-service and in-service teacher training to improve teacher and student Mother Tongue reading performance.
Collaborate with READ TA partner organizations to meet goals, timelines and produce deliverables.
Provide direct technical assistance and capacity building to government counterparts as needed.
Participate in a Communities of Learning Group for sharing: research, challenges and achievements in Mother Tongue reading and writing and English as a Second Language.
Ensure cross-cutting themes: gender, inclusion and Information and Communication Technology are integrated into all READ TA resources, workshops and daily implementation activities.
Mentor and facilitate the development of technical staff leading workshops as needed.
Support cost share to ensure activity information is complete per program requirements.
Develop strategy, plans and guidelines to support implementation of the project:
Participate in the development of the annual READ TA implementation plan
Leverage resources and ensure financial and technical supports are provided in a focused way
Provide adequate lead time and technical support for planned activities
Ensure understanding of READ TA on the part of the Technical Staff
Maintain regular contact with MOE and RSEBs for technical assistance and support
Support the development of technical methodologies, implementation plans and monitoring procedures at the regional level in order to ensure that the READ TA project is effectively implemented.
Internalize the purpose, approaches and immediate results among leadership in the target regions
Organize and plan workshops and other activities to ensure all regions share a common vision and strategy about READ TA
Conduct regular field visits to maintain a clear understanding of field issues and to ensure common understanding of the READ TA approach
Coordinate among READ TA Regional Offices to transfer best practices and lessons learned
Participate in the READ TA Management Team
Understand alliances to provide more informed input
Contribute to documentation for READ TA national reports
Meet to identify issues, develop solutions and take action as needed
Job Requirement
Education
Master’s degree in education or a related field with 10 years of experience or Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years of experience
Experience
10 years of experience in educational development including: Mother Tongue, curriculum design, development and evaluation, teacher training, education management, ICT, Inclusion and gender
Adequate experience in capacity building development
Sufficient experience at national, regional, woreda, and CTE levels in various capacities
5 years of experience with USAID and/or international donors desirable
prior experience managing a geographically dispersed team
Skills and Abilities
Strong team building and communication skills
Demonstrated skills with Microsoft Office including Excel and Power Point
Excellent managerial, supervisory, and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and demanding timeframes
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Must possess excellent spoken and written English language skills
Ability to travel to fields minimum 20% of the time.