Reading Quality Associate (Pashtu)

The USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project (PRP), implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its partners (Creative Associates International, World Learning, and Institute of Rural Management), is a five-year project with the objective to support the provincial and regional departments of education (DoE) throughout Pakistan to improve reading skills of children in grades one and two. The project aims to achieve this goal through three distinct but interrelated components that work in synergy to affect the quality of early grade education: improved classroom learning environment for reading, improved policies and systems for reading, and community based support for reading in Pakistan.

Major Responsibilities:

The Reading Quality Associate will:

·         Facilitate in-service professional development activities in the UC/Tehsil/District that include face-to-face trainings in Pashto, follow-ups and roll out of TIG activities.

·         Support teachers in implementing newly learned concepts and skills of Pashto Reading through regular follow-up support visits to schools.

·         Work in close collaboration with teachers, head teachers and  concerned education officer(s) in preparing and implementing school/ union council/ tehsil based Pashto reading improvement plans and strategies

·         Assist District Program Manager in managing administrative and logistic issue for a smooth implementation of program activities in the district.

·         Assist District Program Manager in developing monthly cash projection against program activities, disbursement of project beneficiary allowances, district based procurement (as and where needed) and maintaining update financial and compliance records/matters.

·         Assist District Program Manager in compiling monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports by providing updated and accurate information from field. In addition, collect and share success stories from the field to highlight impact of the program.

·         Prepare/partake in detailed weekly/monthly plans including field travels/school visits while adhering to quarterly/annual/LoP work plan targets and indicators.

·         Ensure proper record keeping of the TIG meetings, follow-up visit, and teacher observation tools and reporting those to the district office accordingly.

·         Support teachers in maintaining portfolios with up to the mark quality

·         Assist the district, provincial and national offices in undertaking monitoring and data collection tasks.

·         Collect Pashto content analytics from tablets

·         Provide updated Pashto contents,  and first level support to tablet users about tablet and multimedia contents

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  District Program Manager Position directly supervises:  N/A

Indirect Reporting: Other Internal and/or external contacts: describe the nature of departments or groups the position influences or requires support from to accomplish objectives.

Internal:

External: 

Job Requirements: The requirements should establish a baseline (minimum) for educational background, previous work experience, professional knowledge or certification, specific skills and strengths and any other skill necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Education: B. Ed (Hons.) or Associate Degree in Education or graduates with a certificate/ degree in education will be given a preference

Work Experience

·         At least 2 years of working experience in the relevant field

·          ADE and B.Ed (Hons.) graduates.

·         Experience in literacy related projects of USAID is preferred.

·         At least one year teaching experience at primary/elementary school level for graduates with a certificate/ degree in education

·         Experience as teacher trainer will be preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

·         Ability to facilitate teacher professional development activities and model best practices in teaching.

·         Good interpersonal and coordination/communication skills, both verbal and written in Urdu and English (Knowledge of local languages will be an additional asset)

·         Good information sharing and report writing skills.

·         Good computer skills in MS office

·         Working knowledge on Android tablets and smart phones (will be preferred)

·         Willingness to work in and travel to remote areas and a diverse environment

·         Flexible, motivated, team player and fast to learn

·         Fluent in Urdu and dominant local language (s)