Global Reading Repository Consultancy TOR
Hours: 8 days FTE
Location: Washington DC Area
Salary: Commensurate with required experience and qualifications
Reports to: Jane Benbow
Position Level: Consultant (STTA)
University Research Co., LLC (URC)
URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.
Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.
URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).
Division & Project Overview:
As part of the Goal 1 initiative and to effectively contribute to the Post-2015 global education agenda, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is in the process of launching a Global Reading Network (Reading Network). Through a five-year, $10 million initiative, USAID supports this network of stakeholders to develop, disseminate, and apply evidence-based good practices to increase the impact, scale, and sustainability of early grade reading programs. University Research Co., LLC (URC)’s Reading within Reach (REACH) project supports the activities of the Reading Network. These activities seek to build on the foundation of past and present education work and rely heavily on the knowledge and participation of education policy makers, global donors, practitioners, program implementers, ministries of education, schools, teachers, and communities. An objective of the REACH project is to build, consolidate, and disseminate evidence on early grade reading from the field. Metrics and protocols are needed to support greater system accountability, track national and international progress toward benchmarks, and provide programs, schools and teachers feedback on student learning.
Roles and Responsibilities:
There is a pressing need to develop additional reading metrics and operational guidance for Early Grade Reading programs. The REACH Project is seeking a consultant who can provide advice on two separate but to related topic:
- What would an agenda (or a planning tool) for the development of additional early grade reading metrics look like? Especially: a) what measurement tools in additional to an assessment like EGRA are needed, b) which are most important and why; and c) what would the best processes and procedures for developing those metrics look like.
- Guidelines (or a road map) for developments what would eventually become an Operational Guide of the planning, implementation and evaluation of Early Grade Reading programs. Specifically: 1) What are the issues that need to be considered in the planning process; 2) in what order or sequence do they need to be considered 3) what kinds of tools can help implementer make these decisions?
These products are meant to be guides or advise of more in-depth products that will be developed over a period of time with significant stakeholder input.
Both products will need to take into consideration USAID’s programmatic approaches. The most important ones being a focus on the concept of the 5Ts (text, teachers, testing, tongue (language), time) and value added inputs that include but are not limited to parental and community involvement, behavior change communication and incentives and accountability. The consultant is welcome to recommend ideas and concepts beyond these.
REACH envisions that this work will take approximately 8 days.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Academics training and work experience in the areas of metrics, assessment and the design of protocols and tools
- At least 3 years of experience applying these skills to early grade reading.
- Familiarity with USAID Office of Education Goal 1 and their programmatic approaches.
Please note: Only candidates who are eligible to work in the USA for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.
How to apply:
To Apply:
For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at https://www4.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/urcchs/PublicJobs/controller.c…
You must attach your CV/Résumé and your Cover Letter where indicated.Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.
Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest.
URC is an E-Verify Employer
URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
We value and seek diversity in our workforce.
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