Reading Component Lead

Reading Component Lead World Learning has an immediate vacancy for a Beirut-based Reading Component Lead for the USAID-funded Improved Basic Education Services Program (IBESP) in Lebanon. Duration: 4 years. This position is for a Lebanese national or a resident of Lebanon. Please transmit CV and cover letter (in English) with the post title on the subject line explaining why you are best qualified for this position, and three references with contact information. No telephone enquiries please. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and qualified candidates must apply as soon as possible. Thank you. To apply: Please visit our website www.worldlearning.org and click on the employment tab to submit your application. If you do not see the job you are interested in, please “search all.” Please note, a resume and cover letter are required when applying to this position.   Background:  IBESP is a four year, $41.2 million project that will improve both access to education and learning outcomes in primary schools, in addition to supporting institutional effectiveness across MEHE.  IBESP aims to improve outcomes in reading at the primary level, under the assumption that increased literacy directly correlates to increased academic and professional achievement.  Improved facilities, services, and teaching – along with more effectively engaged communities and school councils – will not only improve learning outcomes, but also increase the chances of youth remaining in the formal education system. The project has three components: Component1: Improving reading outcomes for primary level public school students Component 2: Expanding access to safe and relevant education for vulnerable public school students Component 3: Strengthening management (resilience) in the education system to better direct and monitor education   Primary Responsibilities: The Reading Component Lead will provide overall technical oversight and guidance for the project’s first component. The planned activities under this component are: Support MEHE to institute the use of an early grade assessment to evaluate the reading skills of young learners in primary schools, establish an early warning system for struggling readers, train primary teachers in early grade reading instruction, conduct parental awareness activities, provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) and Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) in the dissemination of early grade educational materials and conduct parental /comity awareness activities. Provide overall technical assistance and oversight to the project approaches and materials that are aimed at improving the instruction of reading in primary level Coordinate with MEHE on all activities related to Component 1 Provide guidance to program staff on essential elements of reading programs including remedial curriculum design, lesson planning, instructional approach, teacher professional development, materials development and distribution, classroom level assessment and large scale assessment to develop highly effective activities in these areas and to integrate them for maximum effectiveness at the program level Provide technical assistance to MEHE and CERD in the analysis and appraisal of curriculum reform efforts and materials development and production for the dissemination of early grade educational materials Provide technical guidance to IBESP COP, DCOP, internal and external consultant/service contract partners from MSI, AMIDEAST and Ana Aqra’.  Coordinate and ensure coherent program design that helps senior technical staff achieve reading targets for teachers and students. Help the DCOP and technical consultants/specialists troubleshoot complex problems related to the project’s technical approach and deliverables. Develop supporting resources where necessary. Engage with education systems to focus on optimal use of available resources with specific attention to school and classroom management practices including quality assurance, supportive supervision, and coaching leading to improvement in learning outcomes at the primary school level Supervise the production of all project-supported materials and trainings for reading, teacher and classroom supervision and monitoring, and student assessments Ensure complementarity of program approaches in reading across the country, liaise with government representatives and technicians on technical matters, and bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring that children in project-supported schools achieve improved outcomes in reading Work with senior project staff to help analyze and reflect on monitoring and evaluation data to continually inform and refine the overall project design Travel regularly to the regions to monitor and follow-up on project activities Required Qualifications: Master’s degree or PhD in Education or related field.      At least 8-10 years of experience managing and/or advising early grade reading programs, ideally in conflict or post-conflict contexts; preferably USAID funded early grade reading projects Strong knowledge of policy issues and technical experience in areas of primary education, early grade reading, and teacher training Experience in the development of supplementary early grade reading materials such as decodable readers, student activity books, and leveled readers Strong knowledge and experience with education research and evaluations preferred Experience in and strong knowledge of the Lebanese Public Schools Ability to work as part of a large team locally and remotely with different partners Proficiency in  spoken / written English and Arabic is required; fluency in French is preferred