RTI International is one of the world’s leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Our staff of more than 4000 provides research and technical services to governments and businesses in more than 75 countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international development, economic and social policy, energy and the environment, and laboratory testing and chemical analysis.
Position Summary
RTI’s International Education Division (IE) is seeking a Senior Literacy Specialist with a Ph.D. in education, reading development, or other related field and extensive experience in advising, designing, and implementing early grade literacy programs. S/he will have expertise in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of classroom-based strategies focusing on early grade literacy instruction and learning, preferably on USAID-funded projects. Under the supervision of the Director for Teaching and Learning, the Senior Literacy Specialist will advance early grade literacy initiatives and will mentor IE staff and assist them in accessing the latest knowledge and research on early grade literacy. This position will be based in either Washington, DC or Research Triangle Park, NC (RTI headquarters) and will require international travel (approximately 20%).
This person will strengthen RTI’s standing in early grade literacy instruction and learning in the following ways: develop evidenced-based approaches to improving literacy instruction; provide technical support to early grade literacy work; lead proposal and business development activities related to early grade literacy interventions; author/co-author manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed education and related journals; and spearhead RTI initiatives around these issues.
Specific Responsibilities (numbers in parentheses indicate estimated share of time dedicated to specific task):
General program and project support (80%)
· Act as a thought leader for RTI’s work in early grade literacy instruction and learning.
· Promote and support a community of practice linked to a broader knowledge base on early grade literacy instruction and learning.
· Absorb and generalize lessons learned from RTI’s work in reading and math assessment and improvement across a number of completed and ongoing programs.
· Bring knowledge of lessons learned and best practices from US and other developed-countries’ remediation approaches, and developing countries as appropriate, to inform learning improvement programs in countries targeted for education funding.
· Document and develop norms/best practices for intervention approaches, particularly across common languages (e.g. Spanish, French, and Arabic) where various activities have been independently implemented.
· Further the relationship between external and classroom-based assessment and teacher professional development, with emphasis on best practices of teacher training and professional development.
· Lead teams in assisting ministry and project staff in developing, adapting and administering early grade literacy interventions and analyzing and using the results to continuously inform instructional practice.
· Carry out short-term technical assistance and, as appropriate, provide back-stopping for IE’s portfolio of projects.
Proposal support and development (10%):
· Carry out business development work related to early grade literacy instruction.
· Contribute to proposals as a reviewer and by drafting technical sections.
Scientific stature and publications support (10%):
· Author and publish work in collaboration with IE staff on early grade literacy instruction and learning in developing countries.
· Communicate complex research findings in a clear and practical manner.
· Lead presentations, seminars and workshops on early grade literacy instruction and learning instruction.
Qualifications
· Ph.D. or Ed.D. level academic qualifications in education, with at least 8 years of relevant experience.
· Expertise in early grade literacy/reading, instructional practice, assessment and research.
· Experience in low-income countries (field research and implementation experience preferred).
· Demonstrated expertise in teacher professional development practices and adult learning methods.
· Experience teaching in the primary (elementary) grades preferred.
· Prior experience working with donor-funded projects, particularly USAID, is preferred.
· Strong oral and written communication skills including ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with local country counterparts, RTI staff, consultants and other partners.
· Excellent organizational skills, process and systems-oriented, with a strong attention to detail.
· Ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
· Proficiency in French, Arabic or Spanish is desirable.
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