Senior Early Grade Reading Specialist

RTI (www.rti.org) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to conducting innovative,
multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. With a worldwide staff of more than 4,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and multidisciplinary services.
 

RTI International is requesting applications for technical and operational roles on USAID-funded West Bank Early Grade Reading Activity. This activity will work closely with and support the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) to enhance learning outcomes for Palestinian children at the primary level by improving Arabic reading instruction, and policies and practices at the government, community and school levels. Positions are based in Ramallah. Successful candidates must possess excellent oral and written communication skills including fluency in English and Arabic.
 

Senior Early Grade Reading Specialist

The Senior Early Grade Reading Specialist will be primarily responsible for advising and supporting the MEHE to strengthen early grade reading curriculum, develop teacher training, mentoring and support strategies, and expand the range and quality of learning materials for improved classroom literacy instruction and outcomes. The Early Grade Literacy Advisor will provide technical guidance and advice to the project management team, the MEHE, as well as to USAID. S/he will build necessary capacity across all levels of the education system, help design high-quality and appropriately sequenced reading interventions; and translate these into instructions and guidelines for publishing high-quality materials, books and other supplementary materials necessary for accelerated learning of Arabic reading and writing skills.

Essential Duties:

-    Provide technical leadership for the West Bank Early Grade Reading Activity curriculum development and teacher professional development activities.  Specific activities include: - Provide quality assurance in the design, implementation and evaluation of literacy curricula and materials in Arabic
-    Serve as the direct technical counterpart for the MEHE in the development and adaptation of appropriate teaching and learning materials, including lesson plans in the target language
-     Coordinate input from other STTA reading experts and Palestinian organizations
-     Leverage project M&EL data to inform adjustments in the project’s technical approach and ensure continued improvement in student reading outcomes
-    Develop and strengthen new and existing partnerships with other education institutions, contributing to the creation and delivery of quality teacher professional development activities and training
-    Collaborate with government partners and subcontractors responsible for coaching and community mobilization, to ensure the technical accuracy of their approaches
-    Coordinate with other donors and NGOs working on literacy interventions in the West Bank to ensure that the reading program is coherent technically and does not have conflicting technical interventions at the district and school levels


Minimum Required Education & Experience

-    Doctorate degree in Early Grade Reading or equivalent, with a minimum of ten years of demonstrated relevant experience; OR at a minimum a Master’s Degree with at least six years demonstrated relevant experience
-    In depth knowledge in the teaching of reading and writing in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
-    Familiarity with common education tools, such as USAID tools, or other international organizations• methodologies to improve education outcomes
-    Understanding of the development and education issues in the Palestinian territories and/ or the region
-    Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required
-    Must be able to use the language fluently and accurately and be able to read all styles and forms on all levels pertinent to professional needs
-    Modern Standard Arabic ability is desirable but not required
-    Fluency in English desirable but not required


Individuals are invited to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with current contact information and details of relevant experience to
 

[email protected]

indicating the position title applying for in the Subject line. Deadline is November 14, 2017. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
RTI International is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.