Curriculum and Instruction Specialist

Curriculum Development

• Under the guidance and direction of the Program Director, researches and develops program content, curriculum, instructions and user guides in line with the specific program, national curriculum and Ana Aqra mission and vision.
• Review existing program content to ensure consistency and quality of the teaching and learning.
• Develop new curriculum as needed.
• Research and evaluate best practices in curriculum development, teaching/facilitation and learning, for the delivery of the program and for program content.
• Assist in developing evaluation systems of the curriculum and the program.
• Participate in meetings as necessary.

Management, Implementation

• Coordinate with Program managers to monitor the delivery of the curriculum and content, the quality of training of staff including training of trainers, coaches and teachers and ensuring effectiveness, timelines and milestones are met.
• Work collaboratively with others to provide the needed support in training, coaching and content.
• Compile reports and conduct analysis in relation to curriculum implementation, training and coaching.

Training Staff

• Prepare Training of Trainers courses for trainers and coaches.
• Prepare, revise and adapt existing teacher training materials.
• Coordinate and plan training of trainers, training of coaches, training of teachers and other staff in direct relation with the curriculum implementation.
• Ensure that all trainings meet quality standards and organizational expectations.
• Actively engage and participate in all professional development/trainings.
• Acquire and update the knowledge, skills, and instructional strategies related to relevant pedagogies.
• Collect and analyze data from the field for the sake of improving trainings, coaching and teaching.
• Evaluate trainings, coaching and teacher capacity building programs.
• Monitor and review the progress of trainees.
• Build trainers, coaches and teachers’ capacities and support them on the field.
• Analyze data regarding trainers, coaches and teachers’ and learners’ performance.
• Organize and implement problem-solving actions with trainers, coaches and teachers/trainees.

  Accountabilities:

  The Curriculum and Instruction Specialist is responsible for quality of teaching and learning where teachers not only focus on the what to teach, but also think about how they teach (the instruction), who they teach (the learners, with all their varying needs), and where they teach (the learning environment) and why they teach (metacognition).  Ensure that the curriculum is designed with the end in mind:

• What do students need to know? (the learning standards/big ideas/essential questions)
• How will teachers know they’ve learned it? (the formative and summative assessments)
• How will teachers help them get there? (the learning activities/learning resources)
• What will teachers do when they struggle or when they already know something?  (differentiated planning)
• Quality of the program curriculum and activities in line with the national curriculum and Ana Aqra’s goal for each program.
• Innovative ideas in line with overall goals are incorporated in the program content.
• Inputs and feedback are considered in curriculum development.
• Effective resources are identified, developed (when needed) and provided as supporting materials.
• Timely and accurate reporting and tracking of program curriculum implementation.

• Qualifications

• MA degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in curriculum development, training and coaching teachers or related experience in the field.
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum development.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and listening skills.
• Ability to write clearly and communicate curriculum goals, instructions, and needs. Able to change writing style to meet the audience.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating in an inclusive, respectful manner to achieve common goals.
• Possesses a high level of initiative and motivation.
• Self-directed and ability to work independently.
• Deep knowledge of the relevant content and pedagogy.
• Comprehensive knowledge and use of a rich array of instructional approaches, resources, and technologies.
• Fluent in Arabic, French and English both verbal and written.

• Competencies

• Curriculum and instruction – advanced proficiency level in curriculum philosophies, principles, theories and practices; articulates intelligibly the theories behind these philosophies and their connections to Ana Aqra’s mission and programs; develops program content, curriculum, activities and routines in line with Ana Aqra, teacher and learners needs; receives feedback and shares best practices across implementations to leverage on strengths in curriculum and staff training.
• Communication – good proficiency level in communication skills; Conveys knowledge and credibility with effective structuring of ideas, opinions and information, through writing and speaking; asks clarifying questions to learn about people’s needs, and concerns; demonstrates an understanding of the implicit (emotional) message as well as the explicit message of any communication; creates and delivers presentations tailored to a specific audience.
• Planning and Organizing – good proficient level in determining the priorities of work and projects; develops appropriate plans and approaches to meet quality and quantity goals; uses effective procedures and systems to regulate activities of self and/or others towards successful achievement of individual, team or functional goals and objectives. Uses mission, vision and values to help set priorities.
• Innovation –good level in seeking new ways of doing things; embraces new ideas and opportunities; explores options; develops new solutions to old problems; takes risks to explore and implement new and innovative methods and systems; continuously supports to improve Ana Aqra’s program and services.
• Continuous Learning –  good proficiency level in identifying personal/professional development needs and complete personal/professional development strategies; responds to feedback with positive changes to behavior and/or methods; embraces new ways of learning; accepts responsibility for identifying new and challenging personal development needs; proactively seeks new experiences and tests new knowledge and skills; willingness to take a risk in experimenting with new knowledge/skills.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness – good proficiency level in establishing trusting relationships with internal and external parties; demonstrates sensitivity to cultural and social issues. Listens carefully and attentively to understand both the emotional, explicit and implicit messages in the communication; maintains objectivity and listens effectively without interrupting, judging or stereotyping; initiates and actively seeks to understand in order to influence, develop, help or lead others.
• Teamwork – understands individual and team goals; shares information and knowledge with team members; understands own role in supporting the objectives of the group; keeps the team informed of own activities, ideas and decisions; plays an active part in team activities by contributing ideas and suggestions.