REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION:
Reports to: DCOP, Programs
Technical Oversight/
Support by: Project Director
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 Reading Advisor 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 Pakistan; supporting at least 2.5 million additional primary school students to read at a 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 Advisor will provide technical support for development of reading/literary instructions related to material development for teachers and students. He/ She will work with HEC, TTI, BoC, RIC and Reading Specialization Curricula.
Responsibilities:
- Support designing and development of reading approaches/policies/programs for pre-service and in-service teacher training in the country, in line with international and Pakistan’s national context.
- Provide technical support for the development of a reading/ literacy instruction framework related to materials development for teachers and students in collaboration with the local government counter-parts;
- Work with higher education commission (HEC), teacher training institutes (TTIs), Bureau of Curriculum (BoCs), and university curriculum experts to develop curricula and teaching guide’s for Reading Basics; Reading Instruction Certification (RIC); and Reading Specialization curricula.
- Support relevant local authorities to develop and integrate aligned reading instruction and assessment curricula into degree programs;
- Support TTI administration to plan, manage, and monitor the implementation of new programs for improvement of teaching reading and assessment;
- Prepare and implement strategies to train TTI instructors and faculty members to teach improved curricula for reading instruction
- Provide technical support in the design and implementation of professional development activities for pre-service and in-service teachers on early grade reading;
- Support the design and implementation of a continuous assessment programs for the reading;
- Collaborate with Reading Improvement Strategies Specialist son the development of reading improvement strategies, “roadmap” and time-bound plans for improving reading competency outcomes.
- Engage with the National Steering Committee, the National Advisory Group, and provincial committees and advisory groups for approving policies and programs aimed at improving reading and reading assessment in the country
- Support teacher training, policy and grant component of the project by providing technical input regarding reading related activities
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Master’s degree in education from an accredited university or relevant discipline.
Work Experience:
- At least 10 years’ experience in the education sector with deep understanding of scientifically based reading research on early grade reading;
- Knowledge of a balanced reading/literacy framework, early reading/ literacy competencies and reading diagnostic measures specifically in Urdu
- Ability to measure basic foundation skills for literacy in the early grades
- Expertise in assessing/diagnosing ability to read and comprehend, then recommending appropriative interventions;
- Experience of working in the international community;
Demonstrated Skills:
- Must possess leadership abilities and proven team/interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of mother tongue (specifically in Urdu) and English transition instruction strategies
- Proven experience in designing, implementing and monitoring an early grade reading/literacy program in Arabic script languages (Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Pashto ;etc)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Travel:
If needed.
The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.