Ict Specialist

AMIDEAST has an immediate vacancy for a Beirut-based (ICT in Education Specialist) for the USAID-funded “Quality Instruction towards Access and Basic Education Improvement - (QITABI)” in Lebanon. This position is for a Lebanese national.  To apply: Please send your resume 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. Background:  QITABI 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 (Ministry of Education and Higher Education) in Lebanon. The project has three components: Component 1: 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 The vacancy for an ICT specialist falls within component 2 of the project which includes procurement of ICT equipment and a professional development activity that will enable both DOPS and the schools to effectively use ICT in teaching and learning In line with Lebanon’s National Educational Technology Strategic Plan, technology related professional development should provide teachers with opportunities to apply new learning through connecting technology to the curriculum, national academic standards and assessment and accountability measures. In QITABI’s support to DOPS to integrate ICT into teaching and learning, QITABI is proposing a model that merges ICT and education. To that end, the project’s educational specialist will work closely with an ICT specialist placed at DOPS to develop a comprehensive implementation plan for integration which will include 2 main sections: Technology for school leadership will focus on working with the school leadership to use technology for professional purposes, develop a school-based technology plan and promote use of technology to improve instruction Technology for teachers will focus on content, content specific pedagogies (learner centered approaches that are vital to ensure that the use of technology will bring about authentic learning experiences) and content focused assessment Primary Responsibilities Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE)/Direction d’Orientation Pedagogique et Scolaire (DOPS) in supporting the implementation and coordination of QITABI project component 2 activities within the related ministry units and targeted public schools.  The planned key activities under the QITABI project that the ICT in Education Specialist will support in implementing include: Conducting meetings at the Ministry level to understand the work that has been done in ICT since the publication of the ICT strategic plan: CERD, DOPS, MEHE primary and secondary levels Work closely with DOPS to understand the existing structure of the various DOPS units and how ICT is to function within or separately from them Develop the implementation plan on technology for school leadership with DOPS Work collaboratively with the project education specialist on the technology for teachers section of the action plan. Based on DOPS guidance, develop sample content with the education specialist that ensures authentic learning experiences.  Co-develop tools to be used by DOPS representatives to support schools in their work with ICT Build the capacity of up to 60 DOPS representatives to work with schools based on the developed action plan Provide 300 school teams with up to 4 days of capacity building so as to successfully integrate ICT in schools based on the developed action plan.   Deliverables  An ICT in education implementation plan that ensures successful capacity building of DOPS and school personnel  Weekly/monthly activity report on the delivered support in the implementation of activities related to integrating ICT in education Capacity building/training reports on the provision of transfer of knowledge to DOPS team on integration of ICT in education Final report documenting all deliverables and activities performed  Note: Report structure and templates based on QITABI approved reporting templates  Required Qualifications Master’s degree in ICT in Education/Education other relevant field, PHD preferred  Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience Demonstrated experience in integrating ICT in education Experience in strategy development Experience in training and facilitation or coaching Knowledge of Lebanese public schools and the public educational system Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet Excellent organizational, managerial, interpersonal, and communication skills Lebanese citizenship Willingness to work flexible hours/afternoon shifts as well as on Saturdays, if needed Willingness to work in the different regions of Lebanon when needed Fluency in Arabic and English required; fluency in French preferred Excellent reporting and documentation skills in both English and Arabic