Background:
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 more than 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 and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Project Description:
The USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project (PRP), implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its partners (Creative Associates International, World Learning, and Institute of Rural Management), is a seven year project with the objective to support the provincial and regional departments of education (DoE) throughout Pakistan to improve reading skills of children in grades one and two. The project will achieve this goal through three distinct but interrelated components that will work in synergy to affect the quality of early grade education: improve classroom learning environment for reading, improve policies and systems for reading, and community based support for reading in Pakistan.
Objective of the Consultancy:
PRP will provide technical facilitation to the Sindh School Education & Literacy Department and other relevant government organizations in their effort to develop new Urdu and Sindhi language textbooks in line with the revised Urdu and Sindhi language curricula. Whereas technical assistance to DCAR and STBB will ensure alignment of new textbooks with recently revised Urdu and Sindhi language curricula; it will also help to integrate PRP reading learning material in new language textbooks. In this context, PRP in collaboration with relevant government organizations plans to hold consultative meetings of government officials to explore/identify reading related gaps in the existing Urdu and Sindhi language textbooks (grade 3 to 5) and come up with scope and sequence for both languages. A roadmap for organizing 04 consultative meeting/workshops has been developed by the Sindh team and endorsed by the relevant government authorities. These workshops will be starting form last week of February and will last till end of April, 2020.The main objective of the consultancy is to capacitate the government counterparts for revising Urdu and Sindhi language textbooks (Grade 3 to 5) to adequately cover learn to read approach, reading skills and reading learning material developed by PRP.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Consultant will report to the Senior Policy Coordinator in coordination with the Sindh Policy Team, and will perform the following specific activities as mentioned below.
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
- Based on the workshop report, conduct gap analysis of existing Urdu language textbooks (Grade 3 to 5) with reference to revised Urdu Language Curriculum for primary grades and PRP reading learning material.
- Provide technical assistance to Sindh team for organizing scope and sequence workshop for proposed Urdu textbooks (Grade 3 to 5).
- Provide technical facilitation to workshop participants in developing scope and sequence for proposed Urdu language textbooks (Grade 3 to 5).
KEY DELIVERABLES:
- Detailed gap analysis report of Grade 3 to 5 existing Urdu language textbooks.
- Scope and sequence workshop report.
DURATION/LOE:
- Total of 15 LOE days after signing of contract agreement (duration can be staggered).
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Advanced degree in education, social sciences, or relevant field, preferably PhD in Education
- Knowledge of learning to read approaches
- Understanding of provincial/regional education systems and advanced knowledge of curriculum development process
- Advanced knowledge of teaching of reading assessment and reading improvement strategies for early grades
- Minimum of 8 years working experience in education sectors, or development sector including USAID funded projects.
- Proven experience and track record of delivering the assignment as per quality standards with no delays in meeting the deadlines
- Excellent report writing skills in Urdu and English.
Payment Schedule:
Payments for LOE days will be based on submission of timesheets duly approved by the Supervisor.