EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)
EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.
EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.
The International Development Division (IDD) has a full-time opening for a Senior Literacy Specialist [International Technical Advisor (II)], reporting to the Director of Basic Education and Literacy, in either the Waltham, MA or Washington DC Office.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Literacy Specialist will collaborate with colleagues to support EDC’s vision of effective early reading and writing programs, including both direct technical work and the development of productive relationships with clients, counterparts, and peer institutions. . This position will involve periodic travel to provide short term technical assistance to active EDC literacy projects. Technical activities may include support to early grade literacy programming; accelerated and/or alternative basic education for children and youth; or literacy programming as a component of workforce development. EDC’s literacy work is largely in contexts of limited resources and capacity; fragility; and conflict/post-conflict environments; candidates are expected to have experience or interest in working in such contexts.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.
Managing technical assistance and providing technical leadership to project, the Senior Literacy Specialist [International Technical Advisor (II)]
• Provides technical assistance for reading and writing projects in developing and middle income countries.
• Stays abreast of, synthesize, and communicate research, needs, and trends in literacy to support program improvement.
• Collaborates with members of the IDD Basic Education and Literacy Team to implement quality assurance processes, train IDD staff, and adjust overall technical strategies and approaches to reflect lessons learned and emerging research findings in literacy.
• Supports the implementation of a robust research agenda to inform EDC’s work as well as that of the field.
• Participates in the design of potential new literacy interventions and contribute to writing technical sections of proposals as needed.
• Represents EDC’s literacy work in technical venues and to clients and potential clients.
The International Technical Advisor (II)
• Is responsible for partnering successfully with Chief of Party and home office project director and with Center, Business Services, expatriate and local staff
• Helps represent EDC and the project in the host country, interfacing with the ministry, or other government leaders, the funder, and others; builds positive client, vendor, and funder relations
• Demonstrates diplomacy and leadership to foster an atmosphere of teamwork, productivity, creativity, fairness, equity, and innovation, in support of EDC’s commitment to diversity
• Negotiates and mediates effectively
• Interacts with large numbers of program participants or team members, guiding feedback exchanges, facilitating problem-solving, and providing expertise
• Troubleshoots problems and proposes solutions
• Oversees technical coordination; secures consensus about priorities and competing workload demands
• Fosters excellent communications among all parties, including with EDC home offices
• Travels
• Manages and coordinates activities of subcontractors and all partners to create synergy
• May oversee training programs, workshops, conferences, or other collaborations
• May supervise technical staff; directs and coordinates work of technical staff
• May organize and coach teams
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:
• Master’s degree or equivalent
• PhD preferred
• With Master’s degree, 7–10 years related experience, including a minimum of 5 years supervisory/project management or program development experience
• With PhD, 5–7 years related experience (as above)
• Knowledge of literacy best practices and demonstrated experience in field-based literacy programming are required.
• Desired skill areas include curriculum development; standards development; literacy assessment; materials development and production; teacher training; coaching and instructional supervision; community development to support literacy; and instructional media to support literacy.
• Candidates must be able to travel frequently.
• Outstanding leadership skills and teambuilding/facilitation skills required.
• Excellent analytical skills and capacity to contribute to research and evaluation desired.
• Capacity to work in difficult conditions and function well under pressure required.
• Proficiency in English; second language skills also preferred.
• International experience required; experience in a developing country preferred.
CONTACT
EDC, 43 Foundry Ave, Waltham, MA 02453
No phone calls, please
Posted: 12/11/2015
As an EOE/AA employer, EDC does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status. EDC is a smoke-free workplace.
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